Hey Licensed Professionals: It’s Time to Move to Missouri

Missouri lawmakers made an uncharacteristically groundbreaking move in 2020 when they passed occupational licensing reciprocity. This means that occupational licensure from other states will now qualify a worker to receive that license here in Missouri. To date, only twelve states have given workers this freedom. With this new legislation, there has never been a better time for licensed professionals to move to Missouri.

The twelve states with occupational licensing reciprocity are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Oklahoma, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Notably, only one of Missouri’s border states and very few midwestern states have adopted this policy.

Being on the forefront of this movement gives Missouri a competitive advantage. We’ve significantly decreased the red tape that burdens workers when they relocate. Many licensed workers can move to Missouri and continue working much more easily than if they moved to Kansas or Illinois, for example. It’s the legislative equivalent of a giant arrow above Missouri telling workers to move here.

Though there is still more work to be done, occupational licensing reciprocity was a step in the right direction. It’s icing on the cake that Missouri was one of the first states to adopt this legislation, giving us a huge advantage over surrounding states.