Transferring your teaching license from Kansas to Missouri
✓ Streamlined — Missouri offers full reciprocity to licensed teachers
Missouri offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Kansas teacher is generally eligible for a standard Missouri license with few or no added requirements.
See 556 open teaching jobs in Missouri →License transfer finder
Your current credential (Kansas)
- Issuing authority
- Kansas State Department of Education
- License type
- Initial License (5 years)
- Reciprocity policy
- Kansas participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state educators with valid certificates receive reciprocal review; content exams may still be required.
Missouri certification
- Issuing authority
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
- License you'll earn
- Initial Professional Certificate (4 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months traditional; 2–3 years with TAC while teaching
- Missouri reciprocity policy
- Missouri participates in the NASDTEC compact. Missouri MEGA exams are generally still required even with reciprocity.
Exams typically required in Missouri
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on Missouri's preferred exams, even when basic-skills testing is waived through reciprocity. Plan for one or more of the following:
- Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)Basic skills in reading, mathematics, writing, and science
- Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) Content ExamContent knowledge for your certification area
- MEGA Foundations of Reading (elementary)Reading instruction competency for K–8 teachers
Pass the Praxis exam
Mometrix study guide & practice tests for the Praxis — prep with confidence.
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your Kansas credential is current. Missouri will request a verification of your active Initial License from Kansas State Department of Education.
- Apply through Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any Missouri-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but Missouri may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to Missouri districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 556 active openings — browse Missouri teaching jobs to start identifying districts.
Common questions
Can I teach in Missouri with a Kansas teaching license?
Missouri offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Kansas teacher is generally eligible for a standard Missouri license with few or no added requirements.
What exams are required to teach in Missouri?
Missouri typically requires the MoGEA exam(s) for your subject area.
How long does transferring a teaching license to Missouri take?
Typically 12–18 months traditional; 2–3 years with TAC while teaching.
Who issues teaching licenses in Missouri?
Teaching licenses in Missouri are issued by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).