Missouri Veterinary Licensing Explained: The November 30 Renewal, RVT CE Rules and What to Tell the Board

Missouri runs its veterinary licensing on one simple calendar: every license and every technician registration expires on November 30, every year. That makes late November the busiest and riskiest time of the year for Missouri practices. Anyone who has not renewed by the deadline is not current on December 1.

This guide covers the renewal, the continuing education rules for registered veterinary technicians, the fees, and the changes licensees must report.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in Missouri

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Board licenses veterinarians, registers veterinary technicians (RVTs) and permits veterinary facilities. Its rules are in Title 20, Division 2270 of the Code of State Regulations, and the practice act is in Chapter 340 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

The annual renewal

As the Board explained in its 2024 update:

• Renewal notices go out around September 1. Veterinarians receive theirs by email if they have one on file; otherwise by mail.
• Licenses and registrations are valid for one year and expire on November 30.
• A renewal license is not issued until every requirement is met, including continuing education.
• Facility permits are on a different cycle: renewals go out around January 1 and are due by March 31.

The fees

From the Board's 2024 notice:

The Board noted that state law requires it to send two certified letters to anyone who has not renewed, and to send an investigator to facilities that have not renewed. Those costs are part of why late fees are steep.

RVT continuing education

The rule for technicians, 20 CSR 2270-4.050, is more specific than most states':

• 5 hours each year. The reporting period runs from December 1 to November 30. Hours earned after November 30 count toward the next year.
• At least 3 of the 5 hours must come from an approved workshop or seminar, or from approved scientific programs, including RACE approved courses.
• The other 2 hours may come from:
  • one hour of consultation with another RVT or a veterinarian who is not your supervisor, documented with their name, profession, the date, time and subject;
  • one hour of reading a professional journal, documented with the journal, date and subject; and
  • one hour of recorded or online material on non scientific subjects such as communication, medical records, stress management or practice management.
• Carrying hours forward. Hours can count for up to two years. Ten hours at one meeting can be reported as five this year and five next year, but never carried more than one renewal year.
• New graduates do not need CE for the reporting period in which they graduate and are first registered.
• Keep records for the two previous reporting periods plus the current one. The Board audits.

The Missouri Veterinary Technician Association summarizes this as 10 hours every two years. That works in practice through the carry forward rule, but the rule itself is written as 5 hours a year.

What counts as an hour

Fifty minutes at an approved seminar, fifty minutes reading an approved journal, twenty five minutes of presenting at an approved seminar (once per subject per period), or academic coursework, where one college credit hour equals ten CE hours.

Approved providers

The rule pre approves programs from the AVMA and its specialty groups, regional conferences, state and local veterinary and technician associations, AAHA, AVMA accredited veterinary schools, state veterinary academies, RACE, and the Missouri State Veterinarian. Other providers need the Board's approval in advance.

Changes you must report

The Board reminds licensees of several duties that are easy to miss:

• Address changes within 30 days, in writing, through the Board's online form or by email.
• Name changes within 60 days, with a copy of the legal document, a $15 fee and your current license.
• Employment changes. Veterinarians notify the Board by email. Technicians must file a Verification of Employment form.
• Letters of good standing for another state are requested by email, with your name, license number, the state and where to send it.

For practices, the employment rule matters: when you hire an RVT, make sure their Verification of Employment is filed.

How to verify a Missouri license

Missouri's Division of Professional Registration publishes a public license search. Search by name or number, confirm the type (veterinarian or RVT), and read the status and expiration. Every Missouri credential shows an expiration of November 30, so in early December, a search will tell you who renewed. See how to verify a veterinary license.

What Missouri jobs pay

From Missouri postings that stated pay in Zuse's data in November 2026, the typical advertised technician rate was $26.00 an hour, with the middle half from $24.50 to $29.00, and the typical veterinarian base was $138,000 a year. See veterinary technician pay by state.

A checklist for Missouri practices

1. Before November 30, ask every veterinarian and RVT whether they have renewed.
2. On December 1, check the license search for everyone on the schedule.
3. Track RVT CE across the December to November year, not the calendar year.
4. File the Verification of Employment for each new technician.
5. Renew the facility permit by March 31.

How Zuse helps

Zuse Hire shows Missouri practices the licensed veterinarians and RVTs nearby, with each license's current status from the Board's record. On Zuse Talent, Missouri technicians and veterinarians can claim their license and browse vet tech jobs with pay shown.

Sources

• Missouri Code of State Regulations, 20 CSR 2270-4.050, Minimum standards for continuing education for veterinary technicians
• Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Fee changes and updates from the MO Vet Licensing Board (August 2, 2024)
• Missouri Veterinary Technician Association, Continuing education requirements
• Zuse, veterinary pay by state, November 12, 2026

Fees and rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.

FAQ

When do Missouri veterinary licenses expire?

Every veterinarian license and veterinary technician registration expires on November 30 each year. Facility permits are due by March 31.

How much CE do Missouri RVTs need?

Five hours each year, from December 1 to November 30. At least 3 hours must be approved seminars or scientific programs; the other 2 may include a documented consultation, journal reading and a non scientific course.

Can Missouri RVTs carry CE hours forward?

Yes, for one renewal year. Ten hours at one meeting can be reported as five this year and five the next.

What does it cost to renew in Missouri?

$60 for an active veterinarian license and $30 for an active technician registration. Late renewal penalties are $200 for veterinarians and $100 for technicians.

Do Missouri technicians have to report a new job?

Yes. Technicians must file a Verification of Employment form with the Board when their employment changes.