Missouri Respiratory Therapist License Requirements
- Respiratory therapists applying for initial Missouri RCP licensure by examination or reciprocity
- Out-of-state RTs seeking Missouri endorsement
- Travel respiratory therapists planning Missouri assignments
- Respiratory therapy students needing an educational permit
Missouri Respiratory Care Practitioner License — At a Glance
| Credential Name | Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) |
| Governing Agency | Missouri Board for Respiratory Care, Division of Professional Registration |
| NBRC Requirement | CRT or RRT — both accepted per RSMo §334.800; no separate Missouri state exam |
| Application Fee | $40 (examination or reciprocity); $20 (temporary permit); $15 (educational permit) |
| Available Pathways | Examination; reciprocity/endorsement; temporary permit; educational permit |
| Application Method | Online via MOPRO (mopro.mo.gov) |
| Background Check | Criminal history disclosure required; Fresh Start Act pre-licensure determination available; review current application instructions for fingerprint requirements |
| Jurisprudence Exam | None required |
| Interstate Compact | Missouri was not confirmed as an RCIC member in Board materials reviewed June 2026 — verify current status at respiratorycarecompact.org |
| Governing Law | RSMo §§334.800–334.930; 20 CSR 2255 |
Missouri licenses respiratory therapists as Respiratory Care Practitioners through the Board for Respiratory Care within the Division of Professional Registration. The $40 application fee applies to both examination and reciprocity pathways. Missouri accepts both the CRT and RRT credentials from NBRC — no separate Missouri state exam is required. All applications are submitted through the MOPRO online portal.
Missouri also offers two limited permits: a temporary permit ($20) for qualified out-of-state licensees or veterans while awaiting full licensure, and an educational permit ($15) for students in accredited respiratory care programs performing services outside their regular curriculum.
What Makes Missouri Different
Missouri’s licensing framework is relatively straightforward compared to many states in this series — no jurisprudence exam, no RRT-only requirement, low initial fee, and a standard NBRC-plus-education pathway. The most notable feature is the CE structure on renewal: Missouri requires 24 hours per biennium but exempts newly licensed practitioners from CE during their first renewal cycle. The CE reporting period runs August 1 through July 31 of even-numbered years — tied to the July 31 license expiration date.
Missouri was not confirmed as a participating member of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) based on Board materials reviewed June 2026. Applicants should verify current Missouri compact status directly with the RCIC Commission at respiratorycarecompact.org before relying on compact privileges for Missouri assignments.
Missouri RCP Licensure Requirements
NBRC Credential
Missouri recognizes both the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credentials from NBRC as satisfying the credential requirement for licensure. No separate Missouri state clinical examination is required. NBRC credential verification must be submitted with the application. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
Education
Applicants must have graduated from a respiratory care educational program accredited by CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) or its successor accrediting organizations recognized under Missouri regulations. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
Background Check
Criminal history disclosure is required as part of the application. Missouri also provides a pre-licensure criminal history determination process under the Fresh Start Act (RSMo §324.012.7) — applicants with prior criminal history may request a determination of whether it would affect licensure before filing a full application. Review the current Missouri application instructions for fingerprint and background check submission requirements. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
Reciprocity / Endorsement
Missouri offers licensure by reciprocity for individuals holding a current, valid RCP license in another state or territory. The reciprocity application fee is $40 — the same as initial examination licensure. Verification of the out-of-state license must be submitted to the Board. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
Temporary Permit and Educational Permit
Missouri offers two limited permits. The temporary permit ($20) is available for eligible out-of-state licensees or qualifying military veterans with recent respiratory care experience while awaiting full Missouri licensure; it is valid for six months. The educational permit ($15) is available for students currently enrolled in accredited respiratory care programs who perform services outside their regular school curriculum; it expires six months after graduation. Source: 20 CSR 2255-1.040
How to Apply for a Missouri RCP License
- Register for a MOPRO account at mopro.mo.gov/license/s/
- Complete the online application and pay the $40 fee
- Submit fingerprints through IdentoGO for the criminal background check
- Arrange for NBRC to send credential verification directly to the Board
- Submit documentation of graduation from a CoARC-accredited program
- For reciprocity: arrange for your current licensing state to send license verification to the Board
- Allow at least 10 business days after receipt of all documentation for processing
Practical Notes
- CRT is sufficient — no RRT upgrade needed for Missouri. RSMo §334.800 explicitly names both CRT and RRT as qualifying credentials. Missouri does not require the advanced credential.
- No jurisprudence exam. Missouri is one of the simpler states to license in — no state exam, no jurisprudence component, just NBRC credentials, education, and a background check.
- RCIC compact status unconfirmed. Check respiratorycarecompact.org for current Missouri status before assuming compact privileges apply here.
- Fresh Start Act pre-clearance is available. If you have prior criminal history, Missouri allows you to request a determination of whether it would affect licensure before filing a full application — useful for travel RTs who want certainty before investing in the process.
- $100 late penalty is steep relative to the $30 renewal fee. Set a calendar reminder well before July 31 — the July 31 deadline applies to all Missouri RCPs simultaneously.
Relevant Statutes
- Missouri Board for Respiratory Care (primary source)
- About the Board
- 20 CSR 2255-1 — Fees and General Rules
Related Pages
- Missouri Respiratory Care Practitioner License Renewal Guide
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Missouri require CRT or RRT for licensure?
Both. Missouri statute (RSMo §334.800) accepts either the CRT or RRT credential from NBRC. No separate Missouri clinical examination is required. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
What is the application fee for a Missouri RCP license?
$40 for licensure by examination or reciprocity. The temporary permit fee is $20 and the educational permit fee is $15. Source: 20 CSR 2255-1.040
Does Missouri participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
Missouri was not confirmed as a participating RCIC member in Board materials reviewed June 2026. Verify current Missouri compact status at respiratorycarecompact.org before relying on compact eligibility.
Is there a jurisprudence exam for Missouri RCP licensure?
No. Missouri does not require a jurisprudence examination for Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
How long does Missouri RCP license processing take?
The Board advises allowing at least 10 business days after receipt of all documentation for processing. An application remains active for 6 months from receipt; missing information must be provided within 90 days of staff identification. Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care