Only lawyers may apply, and applicants must be at least 30 years old, admitted to practice in Kansas, and have at least 10 years of active, continuous legal practice. The commission evaluates detailed application materials, including a credit report from all three credit-reporting agencies and professional history such as attorneys the applicant has worked with, including opposing counsel. Commissioners also contact judges before whom the applicant has appeared and gather feedback on character and legal work quality. Each finalist is interviewed with questions asked by commission members, and those interviews can be watched in real time or later on YouTube. After the interviews, the commission selects the three most qualified applicants to send to the governor, who makes the final decision.
Before the governor’s decision is final, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation performs a background check to ensure the applicant has no criminal background or criminal activity, reflecting the system’s goal of identifying experienced, well-vetted candidates for Kansas’ highest court. Kansas Press Association highlighted this process as a way to support qualified justices on the bench.