Kota Bharu Polytechnic started operating in 1985 on a temporary campus at Pasir Mas Technical Secondary School, Bunut Susu, Kelantan. Kota Bharu Polytechnic moved to its permanent campus in 1988 in Kok Lanas, Ketereh.
At the beginning of its establishment, the number of students was 400 people with 44 teachers. PKB currently has 5787 students with 374 academic staff and 74 non-academic staff.