Physical Therapist / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Evaluates and treats movement disorders and injuries. Requires doctoral degree.

What the Missouri data shows for Physical Therapists

Missouri sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,338 training hours and a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy 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 "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $168 to get started, plus $151 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For physical therapists, the reciprocity picture is: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
39/100
Physical 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
$168
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$76/yr
$151 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,338 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$168
Renewal Fee
$151
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Physical 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 Physical Therapist in Missouri? ▼
Missouri requires 3338 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $168. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Missouri? ▼
Missouri licenses physical therapists who complete its requirements (3338 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Missouri licensing board.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Missouri from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for physical therapists nationally works like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Missouri. Verify the specifics with the Missouri licensing board.
Does Missouri require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physical therapist licensing in Missouri. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Missouri? ▼
Missouri ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $151 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

  • See how Missouri's physical therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Physical Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state physical 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.