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Bill

HB 2478

Requiring that advanced practice registered nurses and registered nurse anesthetists submit to a criminal history check upon application for a nursing license.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas requires advanced practice nurses and nurse anesthetists to pass criminal background checks during license application to ensure patient safety and professional credentialing standards.

Approved by Governor on Friday, March 20, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 2478

Legislative bill overview

HB 2478 mandates that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) undergo criminal history checks as part of their nursing license application process in Kansas. The bill appears to establish or formalize this requirement, which may already exist for other nursing categories but is being explicitly codified for these advanced practice roles.

Why is this important

Criminal background checks for healthcare providers directly impact patient safety and public trust in medical systems. APRNs and CRNAs have significant clinical autonomy and direct patient contact, making background verification a credentialing concern. This requirement could affect licensing timelines, application costs, and the pool of eligible applicants, particularly those with prior convictions seeking career advancement.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and fairness: Whether criminal history checks should be universal or risk-based, and how convictions unrelated to healthcare (especially old or minor offenses) should be weighed in licensing decisions
  • Consistency across professions: Questions about whether all nursing levels and healthcare professions face equal background check requirements, or if this creates disparate standards
  • Implementation costs and delays: Uncertainty about who bears the cost of checks, potential processing delays for applicants, and whether expedited timelines exist for time-sensitive hiring situations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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