Kansas Veterinary Licensing Explained: The RVT, the July to June CE Year and Kansas's Flexible CE Rule

Kansas runs its veterinary board from Wamego. Its rules are short and practical, and on one point it is unusually flexible: what counts as continuing education.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in Kansas

The Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners licenses veterinarians, registers veterinary technicians and registers veterinary premises. The practice act is K.S.A. 47-815 and following, and the regulations are in Article 70 of the Kansas Administrative Regulations.

The registered veterinary technician

Kansas law defines a registered veterinary technician (RVT) as a person who is a graduate veterinary technician, has passed the examinations the board requires, and is registered by the board. See our VTNE guide.

RVT renewal notices go out in March each year, and the renewal fee is $25. Check the board's current rules for any technician CE requirement.

Veterinarians: renewal and fees

Renewal notices for licenses and premises go out in June. At renewal, veterinarians attest to 20 hours of CE.

Continuing education for veterinarians

From the board's FAQ:

• 20 hours each year, in a CE year that runs July 1 to June 30.
• No carry over of extra hours, and no extensions past June 30.
• No waivers for medical or hardship reasons, except active military duty during a national emergency.
• Keep your own file of documentation; the board audits from time to time and always during a complaint investigation.

What counts: unusually broad

The board defines CE as "any program or activity which enhances the veterinarian's level of knowledge, skills, or abilities to practice veterinary medicine." Unlike many states, Kansas allows credit outside traditional conferences and meetings. Its own examples include consulting with an expert in a specialty and self study of journal articles followed by testing. When you judge that an activity has genuinely improved your knowledge or skills, it may count. Document it as you would a course.

Supervision levels

Kansas law defines two levels of supervision for delegated work:

• Direct supervision: the veterinarian is on the premises, or in the same general area in a field setting, and is quickly and easily available, having examined the animal before delegating.
• Indirect supervision: the veterinarian is not on the premises but has examined the animal and given written or documented oral instructions or a written protocol.

Diagnosis, surgery and prescribing are never delegated. Kansas also treats animal chiropractic as veterinary medicine, which a licensed chiropractor may perform only when a veterinarian delegates it under these supervision rules, at a registered premises or under direct supervision in the field.

Premise registration

Veterinary practices register their premises with the board and renew each year with the veterinary licenses. Practicing from an unregistered premises is a violation; renew by June 30 to avoid the higher fee.

How to verify a Kansas license

The board publishes license verification for veterinarians and RVTs. Search by name or number and confirm the status. See how to verify a veterinary license.

What Kansas jobs pay

Too few Kansas postings stated pay in Zuse's November 2026 data to publish state figures. The national typical advertised rates were $26.00 an hour for technicians and $145,000 a year for veterinarians. See veterinary pay by state.

How Zuse helps

Zuse Hire shows Kansas practices the licensed veterinarians and RVTs nearby, checked against the board's record. On Zuse Talent, Kansas veterinarians and technicians can claim their license and browse vet tech jobs and veterinarian jobs with pay shown.

Sources

• Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners, Licensing and renewals and Frequently asked questions
• Kansas Statutes, K.S.A. 47-816, definitions

Fees and rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners.

FAQ

How much CE do Kansas veterinarians need?

Twenty hours each year, from July 1 to June 30, with no carry over and no extensions.

What counts as CE in Kansas?

Any program or activity that improves a veterinarian's knowledge, skills or abilities, including traditional meetings and, unlike many states, activities such as consulting with a specialist or studying and testing on journal articles.

When do Kansas vet tech registrations renew?

Renewal notices go to RVTs in March each year, with a $25 fee.

How much does it cost to renew a Kansas veterinary license?

$100 if paid by June 30, or $200 if paid on or after July 1.

Do Kansas veterinary practices need to register?

Yes. Premises are registered with the board and renewed each year, for $125 by June 30 or $175 after.