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Missouri Physician License 2026: MO SBHP Process, IMLC Fast-Track, Timeline & BJC / SSM / Mercy Credentialing

AH
Ava Health Team
··11 min read

Missouri has two distinct physician markets: St. Louis (BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, Mercy) and Kansas City (University of Missouri KC, Saint Luke's, HCA). Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts (SBHP) is an IMLC member.

IMLC vs Standard MO SBHP

PathTimelineCost
IMLC4–6 weeks$700 LOQ + $385 MO = $1,085
Standard MO SBHP8–12 weeks$385

Major health system credentialing (MO)

  • BJC HealthCare (St. Louis): Largest academic/community system in MO. 120–150 days for Barnes-Jewish/Washington University (WUSM) academic positions. Community hospital sites 90–120 days. WUSM faculty appointment process is parallel and adds time.
  • SSM Health (St. Louis / KC): 90–120 days large Catholic regional system.
  • Mercy Health (St. Louis / Springfield): 90–120 days regional Catholic system; strong rural MO presence.
  • University of Missouri Health Care (Columbia): 120–150 days academic. MU's academic medical center also serves rural Central MO.
  • Saint Luke's Health System (Kansas City): 90–120 days; Mid-America Heart Institute is a national cardiology referral center.
  • Children's Mercy (Kansas City): 120–150 days pediatric subspecialty credentialing.
  • Cerner/Oracle Health: Notable employer of physicians in advisory and informatics roles in KC tech corridor.

Missouri-specific requirements

  • MO PDMP: Registration required for controlled substance prescribers
  • CME: No state-mandated CME for MO physician license

Renewal

  • Biennial renewal (January of odd years)
  • Renewal fee: $100
  • No state-mandated CME

What we see at Ava Health

St. Louis and Kansas City are both active markets. WUSM/BJC academic positions are highly competitive. Rural MO (Ozarks, Springfield, Southeast MO Bootheel) has significant primary care shortages with geographic premiums. MO has one of the lowest renewal fees in the US at $100 — attractive for multi-state locum physicians in the Midwest corridor.

Related: Illinois Physician License 2026, Kansas Physician License 2026.

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