Missouri Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts (Athletic Trainer Compact): Missouri Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

13,016 active-duty service members
5,128 active-duty spouses
10,186 active-duty children
- 6,151 children in K-12
23,281 National Guard and reserve members
10,116 National Guard and reserve spouses
17,494 National Guard and reserve children
- 11,317 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Jon Arnold

South-Central Regional Liaison

South Central Region

AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became South Central region liaison in 2025. Prior to joining the DSLO, he served as a political-military advisor at the Air Force’s largest training wing. Earlier in his career, he was the director of constituent services for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, and he has also served as an advocate with the Army Wounded Warrior, or AW2, program. Mr. Arnold is a proud Army combat veteran, a parent of an active-duty naval officer and a graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts8/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

06/07/2022

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

This bill adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. The purpose of the compact is to increase access to audiology and speech-language services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

01/29/2026HB 1847

Dietitian Licensure Compact

01/27/2026HB 1961

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

05/01/2018SB-870

03/14/2018SB-870

07/09/2018

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Bill allows those with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) licenses moving into Missouri to go to work using their out-of-state license under the EMS Licensure Compact. Also know as (REPLICA)

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

05/02/2023SB 70

02/22/2023SB 70

07/07/2023

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Missouri joins the Counseling Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

04/20/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Allows LN's issued licenses outside of MO to work inside MO on their existing license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

03/09/2021HB 542

03/25/2021HB 542

05/10/2021

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Establishes the Occupational Therapy Compact to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy with the goal of improving public access.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

08/28/2016

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Enacted the Physical Therapy Licensing Compact (PTLC) for licensing/practice in MO. This bill allows licensed Physical Therapists to move to Missouri and work off of their existing license as long as the state they came from is also a compact state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

03/15/2018HB-1719

05/18/2018HB-1719

06/01/2018

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Bill allows those holding psychology licenses and coming into Missouri to work inside Missouri using their out-of-state license under the rules of the psychologists interstate compact. PSYPACT portion begins at the bottom of page 7 of the complete bill description by staff of the Missouri Legislature (Linked here).

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

04/18/2023HB 1399

07/07/2023

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

SB 70 was amended to include the Social Worker Compact and signed by the Governor on 7 July 2023, joining Missouri to the Social Worker Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

01/08/2026HB 2644

Athletic Trainer Compact

01/29/2026HB 1844

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/30/2022

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

Missouri Revised Statute 210.201. Definitions, states a "(3)"Child-care facility" or "child care facility", a house or other place conducted or maintained by any person who advertises or holds himself or herself out as providing child care for any part of the twenty-four-hour day for compensation or otherwise if providing child care to more than: (a) Six children; or (b) Three children under two years of age;" DoD standards for a FCC home do not allow more than six children and three if the children are less than two years of age.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements2/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

07/09/2019

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

According to Defense Department sponsored research, Missouri has been identified as a state with existing Advanced Enrollment policies that facilitate the effective implementation of procedures designed to streamline enrollment for military-connected children. Chapter 167.020 of Missouri Statute addresses residency questions and specifies in-person appearance to register is not required.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

01/01/2020

Military Student Identifier (MSI) Final Legislation

As part of the Missouri School Improvement Program and Every Student Succeeds Act, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publishes Military Student Identifier information within their State Report Card data. The report card is published annually on the state portal, and it is part of the K-12 Enrollment report.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

Purple Star Schools Program

07/14/2021

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

The Missouri Purple Star School designation is awarded to military-friendly local education agencies (LEAs) that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. DESE honored the first cohort of schools earning this designation in fall 2022. The designation is valid for three years, which means schools that received it in 2024 could reapply by December 15th, 2027. As part of its website for military families, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education published information about the Purple Star School Program, application information, requirements, resources, recertification opportunities.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/07/2026SB 1496

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/22/2005

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils Final Legislation

Missouri established the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (MMPEC) in 2005 under RSMo statue 41.1010 as a statewide body to protect, retain, and enhance mission capabilities at Missouri military installations. The 11-member Commission includes two Senators, two Representatives, and seven gubernatorial appointees, with the Chair of Missouri Veterans Commission (or designee) and the Director of the Department of Economic Development (or designee) serving ex officio, ensuring military and veteran connected representation. The Commission advises the Governor and General Assembly on actions to strengthen Missouri's defense posture and installation communities, including improving employment opportunities for retired service members and their families.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

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State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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