Occupational Therapy License from Arkansas to Missouri: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Can I use my Arkansas occupational therapy license in Missouri?
Yes, for working in Missouri — both Arkansas and Missouri are active members of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact). If Arkansas is your primary state of residence and your Arkansas license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Missouri without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Missouri, you will need a Missouri license once Missouri becomes your home state.
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Verdict
Compact privilege — work there without a second license
Arkansas and Missouri both issue OT Compact privileges, so this move has two versions. Working in Missouri while you keep living in Arkansas: buy a Missouri privilege through the commission ($75 plus Missouri's fee), meet any Missouri jurisprudence requirement, and keep your Arkansas license active, because the privilege ends when it does. Moving to Missouri: Missouri becomes your home state and you need a Missouri license, by converting the privilege where the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration) offers that route or by endorsement.
What's different between Arkansas and Missouri
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Missouri. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Arkansas to Missouri (this page): Compact privilege — work there without a second license.
Missouri to Arkansas (the reverse move): Compact privilege — work there without a second license.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from Arkansas matter?
Coming from Arkansas matters here: only 10 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Missouri.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (40).
- OT Compact membership
Arkansas and Missouri are both OT Compact member states.
A compact privilege lets you practice in Missouri while Arkansas is your home state; it is not a license, and a move to Missouri needs a Missouri license.
- Application fee
Missouri lists $40 for an out-of-state applicant and Arkansas lists $4 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Processing time
Missouri lists 3–4 weeks; Arkansas has no verified processing-time figure on file, so the two cannot be compared here.
- Exam rules on record
Missouri and Arkansas carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Missouri (this move): The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. On the reciprocity application (MO 375-1095, 10-2026), the applicant lists NBCOT OTR credentials and has the certifying entity send verification of credentials directly to the Board; copies of certificates or wallet cards are not accepted. The form does not require current NBCOT certification. Missouri also requires its open-book Jurisprudence Exam, returned with the application.
- Arkansas (the reverse move): The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. Applicants who have passed the exam have NBCOT send a Verification of Certification directly to the Arkansas State Medical Board. The packet does not say whether that certification must be current. Arkansas also requires a signed Medical Practices Act and Rules Affidavit and a completed 10-question OT Practice Act questionnaire, both returned with the application. This is an open-book questionnaire, not a proctored jurisprudence exam.
What changes, Arkansas → Missouri
| Arkansas (current) | Missouri (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| OT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement · OT Compact privilege (not a license) | Licensure by endorsement · OT Compact privilege (not a license) |
| Application fee | $4 (The ASMB application packet (rev. 10/11/2024) and fee schedule list a $4 OT application fee (OTA $3; temporary permit $1), payable by check or money order. The fee schedule says this is a reduced fee under Act 114 of 2023, in effect July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027, which 'may or may not apply in future years'. + $39.36 state and federal criminal background check (ASMB fee schedule). NOT the OT Compact privilege fee: an Arkansas privilege costs a $4 state fee (OTA $3) plus the $75 Commission fee.) | $40 (OT reciprocity application fee from form MO 375-1095 (rev. 10-2026; $20 for an OTA or a limited permit). Paid by check or money order to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. Fingerprint fees are paid to the vendor (IdentoGO), not the Board; the amount is not stated. Other states may charge fees for license verifications. NOT the OT Compact privilege fee: the Board says Missouri charges $40 for OTs ($20 for OTAs) plus a $75 administrative fee, while the Commission's table lists $30 / $10.) |
| Processing time | the Board says a permanent license application 'will take several weeks to complete', that applications are processed in order of receipt, and that the federal portion of the background check 'can take several weeks or more'; no numeric range is published | 3–4 weeks (The Board's FAQ (last revised 2021) says licensure takes 'an average of 3-4 weeks' once the completed application, fee and Jurisprudence Exam are in and the NBCOT Verification of Certification and state verifications have been requested. An application with a 'yes' answer or past discipline goes to the Board's quarterly meetings (February, May, August and November).) |
| Licensing authority | Arkansas State Medical Board (Occupational Therapy Examining Committee) | Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Missouri sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your home-state license is active and unencumbered and that your home state is your primary state of residence.
- To work in Missouri: purchase an OT Compact privilege for Missouri through the compact commission and complete any Missouri jurisprudence requirement.
- Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
- If you are moving your primary residence to Missouri: apply for a Missouri license with the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration); a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from Arkansas to Missouri?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken.
Do I need a Missouri license or just a compact privilege?
A privilege is enough if you keep living in Arkansas and your Arkansas license stays active and unencumbered. If you move your residence to Missouri, you need a Missouri license from the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration).
What does it cost?
A Missouri compact privilege costs the $75 commission fee plus Missouri's privilege fee. A Missouri license by endorsement, for a relocation: $40 (OT reciprocity application fee from form MO 375-1095 (rev.
How long does it take?
A privilege depends on your FBI background check through the Arkansas board and any Missouri jurisprudence step. A Missouri license by endorsement: 3–4 weeks (The Board's FAQ (last revised 2021) says licensure takes 'an average of 3-4 weeks' once the completed application, fee and Jurisprudence Exam are in and the NBCOT Verification of Certification and state verifications have been requested.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Applications ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Application for Licensure, Reciprocity (MO 375-1095, 10-2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — board home ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Fingerprinting (all applications require fingerprinting; IdentoGO code 6351) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions (processing time) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Missouri OT/OTA Compact (active member since October 26, 2026; $40 OT privilege fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Missouri accepting applications since October 26, 2026; jurisprudence required) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Arkansas State Medical Board, OT / OTA page ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Arkansas State Medical Board, Occupational Therapy Licensure Information Packet (rev. 10/11/2024) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Arkansas State Medical Board, Fee Schedule (Act 114 of 2023 fee reduction, July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Arkansas State Medical Board, home page ('OT Compact implementation is scheduled to begin October 5, 2026') ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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