Missouri Physical Therapist License Requirements (2026 Guide)

Missouri requires every physical therapist to hold an active state license before practicing in the state. The Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — with advice from the Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists — administers all PT licensure under RSMo Chapter 334 and 20 CSR 2150 Chapter 3. The Board can be reached at 573-751-0098 or licensure@pr.mo.gov. Applications are submitted through the MOPRO online portal at mopro.mo.gov, with paper applications also available.

Missouri has some of the lowest application fees in the country — $25 for both examination and reciprocity applicants, and $0 for active military, military spouses, and veterans. What distinguishes Missouri from many states is its mandatory jurisprudence examination: all initial applicants must take and pass a Board-administered test on Missouri PT laws and rules, with a 75% minimum passing score, before licensure is granted. This is required in addition to the NPTE.

Missouri also requires a thorough activities statement covering employment and professional activities from high school graduation (or the last 10 years, whichever is more recent) — a more comprehensive personal history than most states require. A recent photograph and licensure verification from every jurisdiction where the applicant has ever held a PT or PTA privilege are also required.

Missouri and the PT Compact

Missouri is an active member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact under RSMo §§334.1200–334.1233. The compact allows eligible PTs from other member states to obtain a Missouri compact privilege without applying for a full Missouri license. Missouri PTs may purchase compact privileges in other participating states. The state compact privilege fee is $20, waived entirely for active duty military members, qualifying military spouses, and veterans.

Compact privilege holders practicing in Missouri are subject to Missouri practice rules and disciplinary authority. Verify current compact member state participation and procedures through the PT Compact Commission, as membership can change.

Missouri PT License Requirements

Education

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.010(2), applicants must furnish satisfactory evidence of completion of a physical therapy education program approved as reputable by the Board. An applicant who presents evidence of graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program is deemed to have complied with Missouri’s education requirements. Graduates after December 31, 2002 must present evidence that their degree is equivalent in content to the first professional degree in physical therapy in the United States as defined by FSBPT. Official transcripts with the school seal affixed must be submitted from each and every college or university attended, confirming all PT-related coursework, grades, degrees awarded, and dates.

Missouri Jurisprudence Examination

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.010(7), all applicants for initial PT licensure must take and pass a test administered by the Board on the laws and rules related to the practice of physical therapy in Missouri. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass. This is a Board-administered examination — not the FSBPT’s KS JAM or similar FSBPT-platform module. Contact the Board at 573-751-0098 for current examination format, scheduling, and access procedures.

NPTE

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.030, applicants for licensure by examination must register with FSBPT to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination. The passing score is a scaled 600 on a 200–800 scale (criterion-referenced per FSBPT). Scores from different test administrations may not be combined or averaged to achieve a passing score.

Activities Statement

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.010(6), all applicants must submit an activities statement documenting all employment, professional and nonprofessional activities, from high school graduation to the date of licensure application — or for the last ten years, whichever is more recent. This is a significant documentation requirement compared to most states.

Application Photo

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.020(3), each applicant must provide at least one recent photograph no larger than 3.5″ × 5″ submitted with the application.

Licensure Verification

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.010(5), all applicants must have licensure, registration, or certification verification submitted from every jurisdiction in which they have ever held privileges to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. This verification must be submitted directly from each licensing agency and must include the type of credential, issue and expiration dates, and information about any disciplinary or investigative actions.

Criminal Background Check

Missouri requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check for PT applicants. Per 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)(C)(4), the fingerprinting fee is determined by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Fingerprinting is conducted through Missouri Highway Patrol-approved channels.

Licensure by Reciprocity

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.040, the Board may recommend for licensure without examination a physically therapist who holds an active license in any US state, territory, or the District of Columbia authorizing practice to the same extent as Missouri, has passed a PT licensure examination before a lawfully authorized licensing authority, and can furnish satisfactory evidence of good moral character, educational qualifications, and professional history. Reciprocity applicants may be required to appear before the Board in person. The application fee is $25.

Temporary License

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.050, a temporary license may be issued to first-time examination applicants who have met all qualifications under RSMo 334.530.1 and have submitted a supervision agreement signed by a Missouri-licensed supervising PT (who must not be an immediate family member and must have been in active Missouri practice for at least one year). The temporary license is valid for 90 days or until a permanent license is issued or denied, whichever occurs first. A temporary license will not be issued to any applicant who has previously failed the licensure examination in any jurisdiction. Fee: $10.

Foreign-Educated Applicants

Under 20 CSR 2150-3.010(8)–(9), internationally trained applicants who graduated after December 31, 2002 must submit credentials to FCCPT using the FSBPT Coursework Tool. English proficiency is required: either TOEFL paper-based minimum 560 total (55 per section) with a Test of Spoken English minimum 50; or TOEFL iBT minimum 89 total (Writing 24, Speaking 26, Reading Comprehension 21, Listening Comprehension 18). Applicants from English-language programs are exempt from TOEFL. Internationally trained applicants must also present proof of licensure as a physical therapist in the country where they graduated.

Military and Veteran Applicants

Active duty military members, qualifying military spouses, and veterans pay no application fee ($0) per 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)(A)(1). The compact privilege fee is also waived for these applicants. Missouri military applicants should contact the Board directly for expedited processing procedures.

How to Apply for a Missouri PT License

1. Submit application through MOPRO. Apply online at mopro.mo.gov or request a paper application from the Board. Pay the applicable fee ($25 examination or reciprocity; $0 military/veteran). All fees are nonrefundable.
2. Submit official transcripts. Have all colleges and universities attended send official transcripts with school seal directly to the Board. Transcripts must confirm coursework, grades, degrees, and dates.
3. Submit an activities statement. Document all employment, professional and nonprofessional activities from high school graduation to application date (or last 10 years, whichever is more recent).
4. Provide a recent photograph. Include one recent photo no larger than 3.5″ × 5″ with the application.
5. Submit licensure verifications. Obtain and submit verification of every PT or PTA credential ever held in any jurisdiction, sent directly from each licensing agency to the Missouri Board.
6. Complete the fingerprint background check. Follow Missouri Highway Patrol fingerprinting procedures. The fee is set by the Missouri Highway Patrol.
7. Pass the Missouri Jurisprudence Examination. All initial applicants must take and pass the Board-administered test on Missouri PT laws and rules with a 75% minimum score. Contact the Board at 573-751-0098 for exam access and scheduling.
8. Arrange NPTE score transfer. Register with FSBPT for the NPTE and have scores reported directly to the Missouri Board. Passing score: scaled 600.
9. Allow at least 6 weeks for processing. The Board requests applicants allow a minimum of six weeks after all materials and fees are received before a license is issued.

Relevant Statutes and Regulations

• Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Physical Therapists Page
• 20 CSR 2150 Chapter 3 — Licensing of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants (PDF)
• RSMo Chapter 334 — State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
• MOPRO — Missouri Professional Licensing Portal

Related Pages

• Missouri Physical Therapist License Renewal
• Kansas Physical Therapist License Requirements
• Iowa Physical Therapist License Requirements
• Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a state license required to practice as a physical therapist in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri law requires a state PT license to practice physical therapy or use the title “physical therapist” in Missouri. Practicing without a valid license is prohibited under RSMo Chapter 334. Source: RSMo Chapter 334; 20 CSR 2150-3

What are the Missouri PT application fees?

The application fee is $25 for both licensure by examination and licensure by reciprocity, per 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)(A). Active military members, qualifying military spouses, and veterans pay $0. The temporary license fee is $10. The compact privilege fee is $20 ($0 for military/veterans). All fees are nonrefundable. Source: 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)

Does Missouri require a jurisprudence examination for PT licensure?

Yes. Under 20 CSR 2150-3.010(7), all applicants for initial PT licensure must take and pass a test administered by the Board on the laws and rules related to the practice of physical therapy in Missouri. A minimum score of 75% is required. This Board-administered examination is required for all initial applicants — examination, reciprocity, and compact privilege applicants alike. Contact the Board at 573-751-0098 for current exam format and scheduling. Source: 20 CSR 2150-3.010(7)

Is Missouri a member of the PT Compact?

Yes. Missouri is an active PT Compact member state under RSMo §§334.1200–334.1233. Eligible PTs from other compact member states may obtain a Missouri compact privilege without a full Missouri license. The compact privilege fee is $20, waived for active duty military, qualifying spouses, and veterans. Compact privilege holders are subject to Missouri practice rules. Source: Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts; RSMo §334.1200 et seq.

What education is required for a Missouri PT license?

Applicants must have completed a physical therapy education program approved as reputable by the Board — in practice, a CAPTE-accredited program. Graduates after December 31, 2002 must present evidence that their degree is equivalent to the first professional degree in physical therapy as defined by FSBPT. Official transcripts with school seal must be submitted from all institutions attended. Foreign-educated applicants must complete a FCCPT credentials evaluation and TOEFL certification (unless English was the language of instruction). Source: 20 CSR 2150-3.010

Does Missouri require a criminal background check for PT applicants?

Yes. Missouri requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check. The fingerprinting fee is determined by the Missouri State Highway Patrol per 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)(C)(4). Contact the Board for current fingerprinting procedures and locations. Source: 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)(C)(4)

What is the Missouri PT temporary license?

A temporary license may be issued to first-time examination applicants who have met all licensure qualifications under RSMo 334.530 and submitted a supervision agreement with a qualifying Missouri-licensed supervising PT. The temporary license is valid for 90 days or until a permanent license is issued or denied. It will not be issued to any applicant who has previously failed a PT licensure examination in any jurisdiction. Fee: $10 per 20 CSR 2150-3.080(1)(A)(4). Source: 20 CSR 2150-3.050