Missouri Governor Signs Law Simplifying Professional Licensing

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe joined United WE at its Kansas City headquarters on September 10, 2026, to celebrate the signing of House Bill 2974, which aims to ease the process for qualified professionals to work in the state. The new law, which became effective on August 28, 2026, shortens the wait period for out-of-state licensed professionals to begin practicing in Missouri, particularly in the realm of telehealth.

Missouri has long recognized out-of-state professional licenses since 2018, but HB 2974 builds on this foundation by addressing gaps in licensing regulations. The law now allows health care providers who receive a Missouri license based on an out-of-state license to fully practice, including providing telehealth services to Missouri patients. Additionally, HB 2974 adds three new health care licensing compacts to the existing nine: physician assistants, athletic trainers, and dietitians, bringing the total to twelve. This expansion ensures that more professionals can work across state lines without significant delays.

HB 2974 comes as part of Missouri's broader efforts to reduce barriers to licensed work. The state ranked as having the lowest occupational licensing burden in the country in 2026, according to the Archbridge Institute's State Occupational Licensing Index. The new legislation continues this focus by making it easier for qualified professionals to leverage their existing credentials in Missouri.

The bill was sponsored by Representative Melanie Stinnett of Springfield and handled in the Senate by Senator Jamie Burger. It passed both chambers with overwhelming support, clearing the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee 21-0 and the Rules-Administrative Oversight Committee 6-0. United WE, a nonpartisan think-and-do tank, testified in support of the bill during committee proceedings.

Governor Kehoe emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, "As a small businessman at heart, my administration is always looking for ways to cut unnecessary red tape and get government out of the way for employers to thrive in Missouri. This legislation does just that by helping qualified professionals get to work faster, expanding opportunities for telehealth, and adding new interstate licensing compacts."

United WE's President and CEO, Wendy Doyle, expressed gratitude for the passage of the bill, saying, "A qualified professional who moves to Missouri should not have to spend months proving again that she can do a job she's already qualified to do. Our research has shown that unnecessary licensing barriers can keep skilled people, especially women, from entering, reentering or advancing in the workforce. HB 2974 shows what can happen when research, policymakers, and employers come together around a practical solution: remove the barrier without lowering the standard."

United WE's multi-year research initiative, which began in 2025, examined how occupational licensing barriers affect career mobility, entrepreneurship, and workforce access. The organization's efforts have been supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and have led to the launch of a national taskforce in April 2026, bringing together leaders from policy, research, and industry to identify additional opportunities to modernize Missouri's occupational licensing practices.

The new law is expected to benefit various professionals, including military spouses, caregivers returning to the workforce, and those seeking new career opportunities. By streamlining the licensing process, Missouri aims to enhance workforce participation and economic growth.