Kansas: A Step-By-Step Guide to Obtain State Approval for a Private Postsecondary Institution

Licensing Agency

Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) – Private Postsecondary Education Department (regulatory authority issuing Certificates of Approval to private and out-of-state institutions)

Degree-Granting Institutions

Process

1. Determine Exemption Status – Any private or out-of-state postsecondary school must have a Certificate of Approval unless it falls under a statutory exemption (purely avocational courses, employer-run training, programs regulated by another Kansas agency).
   
   
2. Initial Inquiry – Email KBOR’s private-postsecondary office to access the online Initial Inquiry Questionnaire. Completing it launches the formal application.
   
   
3. Prepare Application Materials – Gather:
   • Corporate documents (articles, ownership, governing board)
   • Academic catalog and curriculum outlines for each degree program
   • Faculty roster with qualifications
   • Facilities & safety information (address, floor plan, inspections, lease/deed)
   • Financial statements showing stability (minimum 1:1 current ratio or positive net worth)
   • Student policies (enrollment agreement, Kansas-compliant refund policy)
   • Surety bond for $20,000 payable to the state
   • Accreditation proof or plan and timeline for new schools
   
   
4. Submit Application – Upload the complete packet at least 60 days before starting classes or opening a Kansas site; a branch campus notice also requires 60 days.
   
   
5. Pay Fees – Kansas-based degree school: $3,000 base fee. Out-of-state: $5,500. Program evaluation fees apply (e.g., $2,000 per master’s program).
   
   
6. Staff Review & Evaluation – KBOR staff verify compliance; external peer reviewers may evaluate programs. Schools respond to any follow-up requests.
   
   
7. Regulatory Approval – Staff place degree applications on the monthly Regents agenda for a vote; certificates list approved locations and programs and are valid one year. Non-degree schools are approved administratively.
   
   
8. Ongoing Compliance – Maintain the $20,000 bond, advertise honestly, keep records, and seek KBOR approval for new programs or sites.
   
   
9. Renewal – File a renewal 60 days before expiration. Annual fee: up to 2 % of Kansas tuition for in-state schools (minimum $1,000) or up to 3 % for out-of-state (minimum $2,000). Late filings incur extra fees and possible closure orders.
   
   

Checklist of Required Items

• Completed KBOR application
  
  
• Current catalog with tuition, refund schedule, and academic policies
  
  
• Program curricula or degree plans
  
  
• Faculty list with degrees/licenses
  
  
• Recent audited or compiled financials
  
  
• $20,000 surety bond
  
  
• Facility lease/deed, safety inspection certificates
  
  
• Ownership and governance chart
  
  
• Accreditation certificate or candidacy plan (if unaccredited)
  
  
• Home-state authorization (out-of-state schools)
  
  
• Receipts for all state fees
  
  

Fees & Timelines

Expect 90–120 days from inquiry to approval; timing depends on Board meeting dates. Initial fees: $3,000 in-state / $5,500 out-of-state plus program review ($1,000–$5,000 per level). Renewal fees: 1–3 % of prior-year Kansas tuition revenue (caps and minimums apply). Late renewals pay $500 extra.

Agency Contact

Kansas Board of Regents – Private Postsecondary
Phone: 785-296-4917
Email: pps@ksbor.org
Address: 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 520, Topeka, KS 66612

Vocational and Career Schools

Process

• Same application path, but no accreditation requirement.
  
  
• Initial fee: $2,000 in-state / $4,000 out-of-state; program review ~$750.
  
  
• $20,000 bond still required.
  
  
• Staff, not the Regents, grant final approval.
  
  
• Certificate valid one year; annual renewal minimum $500 (in-state) or $1,000 (out-of-state).
  
  

Checklist of Required Items

• Application form
  
  
• Catalog/handbook with program outlines, tuition, refund policy
  
  
• Instructor list and credentials
  
  
• Facility description, safety documents
  
  
• $20,000 bond or continuation rider
  
  
• Advertising samples and enrollment agreement
  
  
• Financial statement or budget
  
  
• Professional board license if program is regulated
  
  
• Proof of fee payment
  
  

Fees & Timelines

Fees lower than degree level; processing often faster because no Board vote is needed (commonly 60–90 days). Renewal every year with updated bond and enrollment data.

State Exemptions

Schools not needing a Certificate of Approval:

• Public universities and community colleges
  
  
• Purely avocational or hobby courses
  
  
• Employer-sponsored internal training with no tuition
  
  
• Member-only trade or professional instruction offered free
  
  
• Programs fully regulated by another Kansas agency (nursing, cosmetology, real-estate, etc.)
  
  
• Contract-only training paid by a third party
  
  
• Federally funded or special-state-funded institutions approved exempt by KBOR
  
  
• Short test-prep courses for exams (e.g., bar, CPA, LSAT)
  
  
• Named historic Kansas nonprofits (22 long-standing colleges)
  
  
• Out-of-state online schools with no Kansas presence that operate solely under SARA
  
  

Exempt schools may voluntarily seek a certificate if needed for federal aid eligibility. Always confirm exemption status with KBOR; the Board can issue a written determination.

For personalized guidance on navigating the authorization process for your private post secondary institution in Kansas, reach out to Expert Education Consultants (EEC) at +19252089037 or email sandra@experteduconsult.com

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