Starting residency · KS
Starting residency in Kansas
Kansas requires residents to hold a training license from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts: the Postgraduate Permit. Kansas has a graduated income tax (top rate 5.58% above $23,000 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Postgraduate Permit
- Apply
- The board's application packet asks applicants to allow at least 2 to 4 weeks for processing.
- Fee
- $50, plus a $57 background check and a $3 data bank report fee
- Renewal
- None; the permit ends on the program completion date or when a full license is issued
Who applies: Resident; the training program completes a certification form.
Kansas law bars practice without a license or permit and does not exempt residents, so residents hold a postgraduate permit or a license. The permit covers practice only within the program and can be cancelled if the holder practices outside it. A separate Resident Active License allows moonlighting after 12 months of training and Step 3, with program approval and malpractice coverage ($100 application, $100 annual renewal).
Full license: After 36 months of approved training for anyone who graduated on or after January 1, 2021 (MD or DO, US or IMG). A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 5.58% above $23,000 for 2026.
Source: taxfoundation.org
Match Day to your first loan payment
Assumes you enroll in RAP or IBR when the grace period ends, recertify once a year, and file each tax return by April. Your servicer's dates govern.
Mid-March
Match Day
You learn where you'll train. Your program sends its residency (GME) agreement and onboarding steps.
March–April
Kansas training license
Apply for your Kansas training license as soon as your program sends instructions. Applications often need school records and background checks that take weeks.
April–June
Credentialing and onboarding
Hospital credentialing, health screening, payroll and benefits forms, and a DEA registration if your program requires one.
Late June–July 1
Move and start
Intern orientation usually starts in the last week of June. When the first paycheck arrives depends on the hospital's payroll schedule, so budget for a few weeks of moving costs without one.
About 6 months after graduation
Federal loan grace period ends
Payments start 6 months after you leave school. Choose a plan before then, or request residency forbearance, during which interest accrues and months don't count toward PSLF.
First year of payments
Payments use last year's income
RAP and IBR use the adjusted gross income on your most recent tax return, which for most new residents is a student year. Payments rise after you recertify with a resident's income.
One board licenses MDs and DOs.
Related
- Compare RAP, IBR and Tiered Standard on a resident's income
- Kansas physician non-compete law, for when you sign your first attending contract
- All states
General information, checked on the date above. Board requirements and fees change; confirm with the Kansas State Board of Healing Artsand your program before you apply.