Kansas EMS Recertification Requirements
CE hours by category, the Kansas Continuing Education Plan, renewal fees and deadlines, and the assessment option for Kansas EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics
Last updated October 15, 2026 · Checked against the Kansas Continuing Education Plan, K.A.R. 109-5-1a through 109-5-1d, K.A.R. 109-15-1, and the Kansas Board of EMS renewal FAQ
Kansas EMS certifications renew every two years through the Kansas Board of EMS, and NREMT is not required. You need 16 hours for EMR, 28 for EMT, 44 for AEMT, and 60 for Paramedic, split into required core hours across six topics (including pediatrics) and flex hours under the Kansas Continuing Education Plan. Online CE only counts if it is CAPCE approved. Renew online by December 31 to avoid the late fee, or by December 1 to have your new card before the old one expires.
Kansas EMS Recertification Hours by Level
Each Kansas EMS certification level has a set number of board-approved continuing education clock-hours you must earn in each two-year certification period.
The Kansas Board of EMS says you do not have to spread your hours out. You can complete all of them in a single year of your two-year period if you want.
Kansas Continuing Education Plan: Core and Flex Hours
Your total hours are not enough on their own. The Kansas Continuing Education Plan, adopted by the Board in February 2019 and written into K.A.R. 109-5-1a, splits your hours into two parts:
- Core hours in six required topic areas, with a minimum for each.
- Flex hours, which can be local protocol and procedure training, training identified through your service's quality improvement process, personal development topics, or additional core-topic courses.
| Core Topic | EMR | EMT | AEMT | Paramedic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airway, Respiration & Ventilation | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Medical | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Cardiovascular | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Operations | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Trauma | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Pediatrics | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Core Total | 11 | 21 | 27 | 32 |
| Flex Total | 5 | 7 | 17 | 28 |
| Total Hours | 16 | 28 | 44 | 60 |
Fill your core minimums first, topic by topic. Then use your flex hours however you like. Extra core courses count as flex, so if you take more cardiology than you need, the extra hours roll into flex.
Example: a Kansas EMT needs 21 core hours across the six topics, then 7 more hours of anything that qualifies as flex, for 28 total.
Two Ways to Renew in Kansas: CE Hours or Assessment
Most Kansas providers renew with continuing education, but the regulations for every level (K.A.R. 109-5-1a through 109-5-1d) allow a second option.
Option A: Continuing Education
Earn your required clock-hours of board-approved CE during the certification period, meeting the core and flex requirements of the Kansas Continuing Education Plan.
Option B: Assessment
Within the 11 months before your certification expires, pass the board-approved cognitive assessment for your level, plus either a board-approved psychomotor skills assessment or a skills validation by a medical director affiliated with an ambulance service or sponsoring organization.
What Continuing Education Counts for Kansas Renewal
Your hours must be board-approved continuing education. The rule that catches the most people involves online courses:
Before you buy any online CE, confirm the provider is CAPCE accredited and that the course certificate lists the CAPCE approval.
How to Renew Your Kansas EMS Certification
- Complete your CE or assessment during your certification period.
- Log in to the Kansas Board of EMS licensing portal at kemsis.org. Renewals are online only. The Board does not accept faxed or paper copies.
- Submit by December 1 if you want your new card before your current one expires. Approval usually takes a few days, and you can print your card from the portal.
- Pay the renewal fee by December 31 to avoid the late renewal fee. Mailed cards can take two to three weeks.
Kansas EMS Renewal Fees and Deadlines
| Level | Renewal (on or before Dec 31) | Late Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| EMR | $20 | $40 |
| EMT | $30 | $60 |
| AEMT | $30 | $60 |
| Paramedic | $50 | $100 |
Fees from the Kansas Board of EMS renewal FAQ. Confirm current amounts in the licensing portal before you pay.
What If Your Kansas EMS Certification Expires?
Kansas handles expired certifications through reinstatement under K.A.R. 109-15-1. The requirements depend on how long your certification has been expired:
- Within 31 days of expiration: the same CE clock-hours required for renewal at your level.
- More than 31 days but less than two years: twice the renewal clock-hours for your level, submitted with a Reinstatement Application for Expired Provider Certification through the portal.
- Two years or more: you must validate competency through cognitive and psychomotor assessments plus a healthcare provider CPR course. If you cannot pass within the allowed attempts, you retake the entire initial course.
Reinstatement rules are detailed and fact-specific. Call the Kansas Board of EMS at 785-296-7296 before you start a reinstatement.
Do You Need NREMT to Renew in Kansas?
No. Kansas renews certifications through its own Continuing Education Plan, so you can stay certified in Kansas without holding NREMT. If you choose to keep NREMT for portability, you will follow the National Registry's separate recertification cycle and its NCCP hours: 16 for EMR, 40 for EMT, 50 for AEMT, and 60 for Paramedic.
Planning tip: many CAPCE-accredited courses can count toward both, as long as each course fits the right Kansas category and the right NCCP component. Track them separately so each set of requirements is met.
Buy Your Kansas EMS CE From CE Solutions
CE Solutions has offered online EMS continuing education since 1997, and our EMS courses are CAPCE accredited, which is what Kansas requires for online CE. Pick the package that matches your level and renewal path.
Renewing with the Kansas Continuing Education Plan
100 EMS CEUs plus 36 fire CEUs, enough hours for Kansas's 16 hour EMR or 28 hour EMT requirement, core and flex.
160 EMS CEUs plus 36 fire CEUs, enough hours for Kansas's 44 hour AEMT or 60 hour Paramedic requirement, core and flex.
Keeping NREMT? Full NREMT recertification
All NCCP components in one package for EMRs and EMTs renewing with the National Registry.
All NCCP components in one package for AEMTs and Paramedics renewing with the National Registry.
Not sure which package fits? Compare NREMT recertification packages or see our EMS recertification guide for other states.
Kansas EMS Recertification FAQs
How many CE hours do I need for Kansas EMS recertification?
16 hours for EMR, 28 for EMT, 44 for AEMT, and 60 for Paramedic per two-year certification period. Those hours must meet the core and flex requirements of the Kansas Continuing Education Plan.
What is the Kansas Continuing Education Plan?
It is the Kansas Board of EMS plan, adopted in February 2019, that splits renewal hours into core and flex components. Core hours cover six topics: airway, medical, cardiovascular, operations, trauma, and pediatrics. Flex hours can be local protocols, quality improvement training, personal development, or more core topics.
How many pediatric hours does Kansas require?
1 hour for EMR and EMT, and 2 hours for AEMT and Paramedic, as part of the core requirement.
Does Kansas require NREMT certification?
No. You can renew your Kansas EMS certification through the Kansas Continuing Education Plan without holding NREMT. Keeping NREMT is optional and follows its own cycle and requirements.
Can I complete my Kansas EMS CE online?
Yes, but online and correspondence CE only counts if it is approved by CAPCE. If your certificate does not show CAPCE approval, the Kansas Board of EMS will not accept it.
Can I renew in Kansas without CE hours?
Yes. Within the 11 months before your certification expires, you can pass the board-approved cognitive assessment for your level plus a psychomotor skills assessment or a medical director's skills validation instead of completing CE hours.
When is the Kansas EMS renewal deadline?
Renew by December 31 to pay the standard fee. Submit by December 1 if you want your new card before your current one expires. Renewal is online only through the Kansas Board of EMS licensing portal.
How much does Kansas EMS renewal cost?
On-time renewal is $20 for EMR, $30 for EMT and AEMT, and $50 for Paramedic. Late renewal doubles those amounts: $40, $60, $60, and $100.
Who do I contact about Kansas EMS renewal?
The Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services at 785-296-7296, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or through ksbems.org.
