Occupational Therapy License from North Carolina to Missouri: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration) ↗
A occupational therapy license transfers from North Carolina to Missouri by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration), verify your North Carolina license, and meet Missouri's endorsement requirements. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. On the reciprocity application (MO 375-1095, 9-2025), 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..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
North Carolina and Missouri have both enacted the OT Compact, and neither was issuing privileges as of the verification date, so this is an ordinary endorsement move. Apply to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration); your NBCOT result is verified by Score Transfer or Verification of Certification. If both states go live, working in Missouri while living in North Carolina could later be done on a privilege.
What changes, North Carolina → Missouri
| North Carolina (current) | Missouri (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| OT Compact status | OT Compact enacted — not yet issuing | OT Compact enacted — not yet issuing |
| Application fee | $110 ($10 online application packet plus the $100 non-refundable initial license fee. The $100 fee is waived for military-trained applicants and military spouses who provide orders and ID. Annual renewal is $50 (licenses expire June 30). The Commission lists North Carolina's future privilege fee as TBD, not payable yet.) | $30 (OT reciprocity application fee from form MO 375-1095 ($10 for an OTA or a limited permit). Paid by check or money order to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. Other states may charge fees for license verifications. The Commission lists Missouri's future privilege fee as $30, which is not payable yet.) |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks (Board FAQ: application requests are normally processed within a week, and licenses are 'usually issued on Fridays within one (1) to two (2) weeks after the application and all required documentation is received and processed'.) | The Board publishes no processing timeframe. |
| Licensing authority | North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy | 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 Missouri's current requirements on the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a valid current OT license from another state, U.S. territory or DC and have held it for at least one year (reciprocity application).
- Complete and notarize the Application for Licensure - Reciprocity (MO 375-1095).
- Have NBCOT send credential verification directly to the Board.
- Have every state, territory, province or country where you were licensed send a Verification of Licensure form directly to the Board within 90 days of applying.
- Complete and return the Missouri Jurisprudence Exam (open book).
- Pay the fees ($30 (OT reciprocity application fee from form MO 375-1095 ($10 for an OTA or a limited permit). Paid by check or money order to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. Other states may charge fees for license verifications. The Commission lists Missouri's future privilege fee as $30, which is not payable yet.)) and allow The Board publishes no processing timeframe..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my North Carolina occupational therapy license in Missouri?
A occupational therapy license transfers from North Carolina to Missouri by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Professional Registration), verify your North Carolina license, and meet Missouri's endorsement requirements. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. On the reciprocity application (MO 375-1095, 9-2025), 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..
Do I retake the NBCOT exam moving from North Carolina to Missouri?
No. The NBCOT certification exam is not retaken. On the reciprocity application (MO 375-1095, 9-2025), 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.
How much does a Missouri OT license cost for someone licensed in North Carolina?
$30 (OT reciprocity application fee from form MO 375-1095 ($10 for an OTA or a limited permit). Paid by check or money order to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. Other states may charge fees for license verifications. The Commission lists Missouri's future privilege fee as $30, which is not payable yet.).
How long does Missouri take to process the application?
The Board publishes no processing timeframe..
Can I use the OT Compact to work in Missouri?
Not for this move. Missouri has enacted the OT Compact but was not issuing privileges as of 2026-09-27. A Missouri license by endorsement is required.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Applications ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — Application for Licensure, Reciprocity (MO 375-1095, 9-2025) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy — board home ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- OT Compact Commission — Before You Apply (Missouri: Not Yet accepting applications; jurisprudence required) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- NC Board of Occupational Therapy — Application Process ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- NC Board of Occupational Therapy — Jurisprudence Exam ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- NC Board of Occupational Therapy — FAQs (fees, timing, NBCOT, military) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- NC Board of Occupational Therapy — License Verification ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-27
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]