Occupational Therapist / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri Occupational Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Helps patients develop daily living and work skills. Requires masters or doctoral degree.

What the Missouri data shows for Occupational Therapists

Missouri sets the entry bar for occupational therapists at 3,338 training hours and a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Missouri's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

The initial price tag is $151, and renewal costs $134 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 36-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
38/100
Occupational Therapist · Missouri

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,338 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$151
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$67/yr
$134 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
18.0 hrs/yr
36 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,338 hours
Exam Requirement
NBCOT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$151
Renewal Fee
$134
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
36 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Occupational Therapist All Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Occupational Therapist in Missouri? ▼
In Missouri, the license path calls for 3338 education/training hours, a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam, and a $151 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Occupational Therapist in Missouri? ▼
To become a licensed occupational therapist in Missouri, you must meet the state's requirements including 3338 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Missouri licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Occupational Therapist license to Missouri from another state? ▼
For occupational therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Missouri licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Missouri require a background check for Occupational Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for occupational therapist licensing in Missouri. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Occupational Therapist in Missouri? ▼
To stay licensed as an occupational therapist in Missouri, plan on 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $134.

Related Guides

What to do with this occupational therapist license

Occupational Therapist in Missouri, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an occupational therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Missouri's occupational therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Occupational Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state occupational therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Missouri's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Missouri overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Missouri licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.