What happens if I am audited by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy?

If you are selected for a continuing competency audit, you will receive a notification from the board and be required to submit documentation for all 24 hours of your claimed activities for the renewal period. This includes certificates of completion, transcripts, or other verifiable proof. You must have documentation for all activities, including the 2-hour suicide prevention mandate.

Is there a jurisprudence requirement in Missouri?

While Missouri does not mandate a separate jurisprudence examination or course for each renewal cycle, all licensees are expected to be familiar with the Missouri Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Chapter 324, RSMo) and board regulations (20 CSR 2205). Understanding these rules is considered a fundamental professional responsibility.

How does the board define one contact hour?

According to 20 CSR 2205-5.010(3)(C), one (1) clock hour (sixty (60) minutes) of participation in a qualifying continuing competency activity equals one (1) contact hour. Activities must be at least one full clock hour to be counted.

Where can I find a list of approved suicide prevention courses?

The Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy does not pre-approve specific courses. However, the rule requires the training to be from a provider that is 'board-approved.' Licensees should choose trainings from reputable providers and be prepared to demonstrate the course's relevance and quality if audited. Often, courses approved by other state or national health organizations are accepted, but it is the licensee's responsibility to ensure the course meets the board's standards.

Can I carry over extra hours to the next renewal period?

No, per 20 CSR 2205-5.010(1)(C), contact hours obtained in excess of the twenty-four (24) required hours may not be carried over to the next reporting period.

Do I need to maintain my NBCOT certification for Missouri licensure?

While NBCOT certification is required for initial licensure, maintaining it is not a requirement for renewing your Missouri state license. The 24 hours of continuing competency for Missouri are separate from the 36 Professional Development Units (PDUs) required every 3 years for NBCOT certification renewal.

Missouri Occupational Therapist CE Audit Guide | Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy

Q: Can an attorney review my documents before I send them to the board?

Yes. BoardWise offers optional attorney document review: once your response is drafted, we can match you with an independent attorney licensed in Missouri who reviews and suggests revisions before you submit anything to the board. It is a focused, limited-scope review rather than a full retainer, so you get a professional set of eyes on your wording, tone, and disclosures at a fixed fee. What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed. Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.

Quick facts

Board Name: Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy
Renewal Cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)
CE Period: Biennial, ending on June 30 of even-numbered years.
Rule Citation: 20 CSR 2205-5.010
Hour Requirement: 24 contact hours per biennium
State-Mandated Topics: 2 hours in suicide prevention
Records Retention: 4 years

Governing authority and what the rule requires

The Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy operates under the authority of the Missouri Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Chapter 324 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. The board's rules and regulations, including those for continuing competency, are outlined in Title 20, Division 2205 of the Code of State Regulations (CSR). Specifically, 20 CSR 2205-5.010 details the continuing competency requirements for licensed Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.

How Missouri OT CE audits typically work

After a renewal cycle the board reviews a sample of attestations. If selected, you will receive a notice through the email or address on file with a defined response window. Most audits close quietly when records match what was attested. The rule basis for OT CE in Missouri is 20 CSR 2205-5.010, "Continuing Competency Requirements."

The Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy randomly selects a percentage of licensees for a CE audit each cycle.
If selected, you will receive a notification letter from the board, typically by mail or secure email.
The notice will specify the compliance period being audited.
You are generally given 30 days from the date of the notice to submit copies of your CE documentation.
Board staff reviews your submitted certificates to ensure they match the contact-hour requirement and include all mandated topics.
You will receive a final letter from the board indicating whether you successfully met the audit requirements or if further action is needed.

Documentation commonly requested

Audit notices are usually specific about what they want. Read the notice slowly and make a checklist directly from it. The most common items requested for OTs include:

Copies of certificates of completion for each CE activity taken during the audit period.
Each certificate should clearly show the provider name and accreditation (AOTA Approved Provider number, NBCOT, state board approval, or other accepted accreditor), course title, date(s) of attendance, number of contact hours or PDUs awarded, and your name as it appears on your license.
Proof of completion for any state-mandated topics required by Missouri (such as ethics or jurisprudence).
A personal CE log or spreadsheet tracking course dates, titles, providers, hours, and topic mapping.
Documentation of any alternative professional development activities (publications, presentations, mentoring, NBCOT certification) used to meet the requirement.

Missouri-specific mandated topics

Beyond a total hour count, Missouri requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.

A minimum of two (2) of the total twenty-four (24) contact hours must be in the topic of suicide prevention. This training must be from a provider approved by the board.
Aside from the suicide prevention mandate, Missouri allows OTs to choose continuing competency activities that are relevant to their area of practice and enhance their professional skills.

Common pitfalls OTs run into

Failing to complete the mandatory 2-hour suicide prevention course from a board-approved provider.
Miscalculating continuing competency hours or failing to convert activities to the correct contact hour value.
Not retaining adequate documentation for all claimed activities for the required 4-year period.
Assuming that activities automatically qualify without ensuring they meet the board's definition of acceptable continuing competency.

How to assemble a clean response

Gather your records in one place. A folder on your desktop, a printed binder, or a shared drive all work. You don't need a complicated system. You just need to be able to find things.

Name each PDF clearly with the date, course title, hours, and topic. Group certificates by category that maps to the board's request: mandated topics first, then general contact hours. Add a one-page cover sheet that summarizes total hours and points the reviewer to the matching documents.

If your hours fall short

First-time shortfalls are usually handled administratively. Boards generally allow a defined window to complete makeup hours and submit updated documentation. Honest, prompt communication is far better than silence.

If the shortfall is significant or repeated, the board may move toward formal action. At that point, calm documentation of how you are coming into compliance, plus a written plan to prevent recurrence, makes a meaningful difference.

Possible outcomes

If the board finds a licensee has not met the continuing competency requirements, it may result in disciplinary action. According to 20 CSR 2205-5.010(7), failure to obtain and document the required hours may be considered grounds for discipline under Section 324.088, RSMo. Potential outcomes can range from a requirement to make up the missing hours to more severe actions like reprimand, probation, or suspension of the license, depending on the severity of the deficiency.
The board may also conduct a disciplinary hearing to determine the final outcome.
Licensees found deficient will be required to develop a plan to correct the deficiency and may be subject to future audits.
In cases of fraudulent submission, the board may pursue more significant disciplinary action, including license revocation.

A simple audit-response checklist

1Read the audit notice slowly. Note the deadline and exact list of documents requested.
2Make a simple folder labeled with the cycle dates being audited.
3Pull certificates of completion for every CE activity in that cycle.
4Match each certificate to the topic area or category your board requires.
5Save proof of license renewal and any required attestations.
6If a certificate is missing, contact the provider for a duplicate before the deadline.
7Scan everything as clean PDFs, named with date and course title.
8Submit through the channel the board requests. Keep a copy and a confirmation.

CEU partner

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MedBridge is a separate service. BoardWise may receive a referral benefit. The discount code is subject to MedBridge terms.

Practice partner

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Frequently asked questions

Real Outcomes Reported by BoardWise Users

BoardWise users have reported outcomes including:

Complaint dismissals
Successful responses to board inquiries
Passing continuing education audits
Early probation termination
Improved understanding of licensing board procedures

Individual outcomes vary and depend on the facts of each case.

Optional Attorney Document Review

Before you send anything to the board, BoardWise can match occupational therapist in Missouri with an independent, state-licensed attorney for an optional limited-scope review of the document you prepared:

We match you with an independent attorney licensed in your state
They review and suggest revisions to your document before you submit it to the board
Focused, limited-scope review at a fixed fee rather than a full retainer
A second set of eyes on wording, tone, and anything that may need a closer look

What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed.

Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.

Print & FedEx Overnight Delivery

Finishing the document is only part of the job. BoardWise Document Delivery lets occupational therapist in Missouri send the finished packet straight to the board without a trip to the post office:

FedEx Overnight delivery for street addresses when your deadline is close
USPS Priority Express and USPS Certified Mail for P.O. Box board addresses
Printing, packaging, and postage handled for you, with tracking on every order
Confirmation and tracking details emailed to you as your package moves

What does it cost? $150 for FedEx Overnight and $99 for USPS Priority Express or Certified Mail. You see the exact price and the full address details before you authorize the order.

Printing and mailing are fulfilled by Mailform. You are responsible for meeting your own deadline, so keep an electronic copy and watch the tracking information.

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