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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from Louisiana to Missouri: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists (Division of Professional Registration) ↗

Yes — both Louisiana and Missouri are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Louisiana is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Missouri now; if you are moving your residence to Missouri, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Missouri your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

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Verdict

Compact multistate — already covered

Both Louisiana and Missouri are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Louisiana is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists (Division of Professional Registration) — you buy a Missouri compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Louisiana license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Missouri may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Louisiana license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Missouri rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Missouri.

What changes, Louisiana → Missouri

Side-by-side: Louisiana vs Missouri (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
Louisiana (current)Missouri (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact member — multistate license honoredPT Compact member — multistate license honored
Application fee$250 (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.)$25 ($25.00 application fee for the physical therapist application — the same form and fee used by an applicant already licensed in another state. A temporary licence costs an extra $10.00 but is available to first-time examination applicants only. The Board cannot take credit or debit cards for the initial application fee. Fingerprint background-check costs are paid separately to the state vendor. This is NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing timethe Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications6–10 weeks (the Board asks applicants to allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks for initial processing once the application and fee are in office, plus a further 2-4 weeks after the file goes to final review for approval; deficiencies or Board backlog lengthen this)
Licensing authorityLouisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners)Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists (Division of Professional Registration)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Missouri sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing.
  2. If you are moving your primary residence to Missouri: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists (Division of Professional Registration) when you move.
  3. Declare Missouri as your new primary state of residence on that application.
  4. Complete Missouri's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
  5. Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).

Official links

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Does Missouri accept a Louisiana physical therapy license?

Yes — both Louisiana and Missouri are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Louisiana is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Missouri now; if you are moving your residence to Missouri, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Missouri your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

Do I retake the NPTE moving from Louisiana to Missouri?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. The NPTE is not retaken; the applicant requests an FSBPT score transfer so the passing score is reported to the Board. Missouri additionally requires its own jurisprudence examination, which is included in the application packet, answered from the Missouri statutes and rules, returned with the application and scored by the Board — a score of 75% or higher is required..

What does the move cost?

If you are buying a Missouri compact privilege to work while living in Louisiana: the commission's uniform fee plus Missouri's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Missouri license by endorsement: $25 ($25.00 application fee for the physical therapist application — the same form and fee used by an applicant already licensed in another state. A temporary licence costs an extra $10.00 but is available to first-time examination applicants only. The Board cannot take credit or debit cards for the initial application fee. Fingerprint background-check costs are paid separately to the state vendor. This is NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) ($25.00 application fee for the physical therapist application — the same form and fee used by an applicant already licensed in another state. A temporary licence costs an extra $10.00 but is available to first-time examination applicants only. The Board cannot take credit or debit cards for the initial application fee. Fingerprint background-check costs are paid separately to the state vendor. This is NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Missouri jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs 6–10 weeks (the Board asks applicants to allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks for initial processing once the application and fee are in office, plus a further 2-4 weeks after the file goes to final review for approval; deficiencies or Board backlog lengthen this) (the Board asks applicants to allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks for initial processing once the application and fee are in office, plus a further 2-4 weeks after the file goes to final review for approval; deficiencies or Board backlog lengthen this).

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]