According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there are seven accredited colleges that offer a degree in Physical Therapy in Missouri: Maryville University, Missouri State University, Rockhurst University, St. Louis University, Southwest Baptist University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and Washington University in St. Louis. You will need at least a college degree in physical therapy to become licensed in Missouri, and even though a doctorate is not necessary, having one will increase the work opportunities available to you.
Before applying for your license through the Division of Professional Registration, Missouri requires you to register with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) by going to www.FSBPT.org. The FSBPT is a useful resource for news, technology, and ethics in the field of physical therapy as well as a provider of state-specific standards.
The Division of Professional Registration also requires you to review Missouri Statutes and Rules. These rules include specifics on application requirements, temporary licenses, how the board determines competency and requirements for continuing education. You can read the full list of rules and statutes at the address in the Resource section.
Once you have completed your application and enclosed the required fee (up to $60), it will take up to 30 days for the Division of Professional Registration to process your application and notify you of your approval or rejection. If approved, your license will expire December 31st of every even-numbered year, at which time you will need to complete a renewal application and enclose the current fee. To renew your license, you must obtain at least 30 hours of continuing education credits in the preceding two years. This is designed to keep you up to date in the field. So long as you renew your license on time and adhere to the continuing education requirements, you'll remain in good standing in the eyes of the state.