How to Get Your
Kansas Plumbing License
Your complete guide to becoming a licensed plumber in Kansas. Learn about city and county licensing requirements, exams, costs, and the step-by-step process to launch your plumbing career in Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park.
Kansas Plumbing License Quick Facts
Licensing Type
City/County (No state license)
Minimum Experience
2 years apprentice training
License Fee Range
$33 - $360
Reciprocity
No reciprocity agreements
Mean Annual Wage
$49,260/year
Main Cities Covered
Wichita, Topeka, Overland Park
Who Provides Plumbing Licenses in Kansas?
Kansas doesn't have a state-wide governing authority for providing plumbing licenses. Instead, you need to get your Kansas plumbing license for the city or county you want to serve. Below are the licensing authorities for the most popular cities in Kansas.
Kansas Licensing Authorities
Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department
MABCDIssues plumbing licenses for Wichita and Sedgwick County area
City of Topeka Development Services Division
Topeka DSDIssues plumbing licenses for Kansas capital city - Topeka
Johnson County Administration
Johnson CountyIssues plumbing licenses for Overland Park and Johnson County
Important: No Reciprocity in Kansas
Kansas is not in any reciprocity arrangements with any other U.S. state.
- Licensed contractors from other states must mandatorily apply for a plumbing license if they are willing to work in Kansas.
- You cannot transfer or use an out-of-state license to practice plumbing in Kansas.
- Each city/county has its own specific licensing requirements and procedures.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Kansas
License Types Available
Choose Your License Path
Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level license for those learning the trade under supervision of a licensed plumber.
Key Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Photo ID and driver's license
- Join an apprenticeship program
Journeyman Plumber License
License to provide plumbing services independently after apprenticeship training.
Key Requirements
- 2 years plumbing experience
- Classroom training (varies by city)
- Pass the licensing examination
Master Plumber License
Advanced license for experienced plumbers to supervise and manage complex projects.
Key Requirements
- 2 years as licensed journeyman (or 4 years experience)
- Pass the master plumbing examination
- Meet city/county specific requirements
Plumbing Contractor License
Required for starting your own plumbing business and taking contracts from clients.
Key Requirements
- Registered business entity
- Master/qualified person on staff
- Liability and workers' compensation insurance
Wichita Plumbing License Requirements
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. The governing authority for providing plumbing licenses is MABCD (Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department).
Requirements by License Type
Wichita Plumbing License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Photo ID
- Driver's license
- Join an apprentice plumbing program offered by local company, union, or Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas
2Journeyman Plumber
For licensed apprentices
Journeyman Plumber
For licensed apprentices
- Option 1: A year of field experience and a year in plumbing trade school (total 2 years)
- Option 2: Two years of plumbing experience and minimum 75% score in approved ICC or IAPMO exam
- Pass the journeyman licensing exam (100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, open-book)
- Pay $125 exam fee and $35 license fee
3Master Plumber
Advanced license requirements
Master Plumber
Advanced license requirements
- Option 1: Minimum 2 years of experience as a licensed journeyman plumber
- Option 2: 4 years of experience and minimum 75% score in approved ICC or IAPMO exam
- Pass the master licensing exam (125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours, open-book)
- Pay $125 exam fee and $35 license fee
4Plumbing Contractor
For business owners
Plumbing Contractor
For business owners
- Appropriately filled contractor application with $360 license fee
- Trade certificate application for master/qualified person
- Liability insurance of minimum $300,000 in general liability with MABCD as certificate holder
- Worker's compensation insurance
- Auto insurance on fleet vehicles
- Certificate of good standing from the Kansas Secretary of State
Topeka Plumbing License Requirements
Topeka is the capital and the second-largest city in Kansas. The governing plumbing authority is The City of Topeka Development Services Division (DSD).
Requirements by License Type
Topeka Plumbing License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
- Submit an appropriately filled license application
- Pay $33 license fee
- Join an apprenticeship plumbing program offered by local company, union, or Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas
2Journeyman Plumber
For licensed apprentices
Journeyman Plumber
For licensed apprentices
- 2 years of plumbing experience
- At least 930 hours of classroom training
- Apply for journeyman exam with $50 application fee
- Pass the exam with minimum 75% score
- Pay $53 license fee after passing exam
3Master Plumber
Advanced license requirements
Master Plumber
Advanced license requirements
- Option 1: Get 2 years of plumbing work experience as a licensed journeyman
- Option 2: Get 4 years of plumbing experience under a licensed master plumber
- Pass the master exam with minimum 75% score
- Pay $103 license fee after passing exam
Overland Park Plumbing License Requirements
Overland Park is located in Johnson County of Kansas. The plumbing license is provided by the Johnson County Administration.
Johnson County Requirements
Overland Park Plumbing Contractor License Requirements
1Plumbing Contractor License
Requirements for contractor license
Plumbing Contractor License
Requirements for contractor license
- A business entity (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, or Corporation)
- Completed application form with one-time application fee of $100 and license fee of $180
- General liability and worker's compensation insurance
- Qualifying party (individual with BS degree in Architecture/Engineering/Construction or 75%+ exam score)
- Qualifying party must have minimum 2 years as licensed journeyman or 4 years field experience
- Government-issued photo IDs of qualifying party and company owner
- A digital photo of the qualifying party
- Evidence that the entity is in good standing
Plumbing License Costs in Kansas
Sedgwick County Fees
Wichita License Fees (MABCD)
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | No fee | No fee |
| Journeyman | $125 | $35 | N/A |
| Master | $125 | $35 | N/A |
| Contractor Renew every odd year | — | $360 | $360 |
City of Topeka Fees
Topeka License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | $33 | N/A |
| Journeyman | $50 | $53 | N/A |
| Master | — | $103 | N/A |
Johnson County Fees
Overland Park License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor (Application) One-time application fee | — | $100 | |
| Contractor (License) | — | $180 | Varies |
License Renewal Information
Wichita: Contractor licenses must be renewed every odd year with a renewal fee of $360.
Topeka and Overland Park: Contact your local licensing authority for renewal information and requirements.
Kansas Plumbing Exam Details
Wichita Plumbing Exams
MABCD Journeyman Exam
Wichita Journeyman Plumbing Exam
100 questions covering plumbing theory, codes, and practices
MABCD Master Exam
Wichita Master Plumbing Exam
125 questions covering advanced plumbing systems, supervision, and code compliance
Topeka Plumbing Exams
Topeka Exam Requirements
Journeyman Exam: Minimum 75% passing score required.
Master Exam: Minimum 75% passing score required.
Both exams test knowledge of plumbing codes, practices, and safety standards relevant to Kansas regulations.
Steps to Get Your Kansas Plumbing License
Step-by-Step Guide
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Plumber in Kansas
Choose Your City or County
Determine which Kansas city or county you want to work in (Wichita, Topeka, Overland Park, etc.) as licensing is handled locally, not at the state level.
Meet Basic Requirements
Obtain your high school diploma or GED, gather photo ID and driver's license.
Join an Apprenticeship Program
Enroll in an apprentice plumbing program offered by a local company, union, or Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship TrainingApply for Apprentice License
Submit your apprentice license application to your local licensing authority and pay any required fees (varies by city).
Complete Required Experience
Gain minimum 2 years of plumbing experience through your apprenticeship program, including required classroom training hours.
Apply for Journeyman Exam
Once you meet the experience requirements, apply for the journeyman licensing examination in your city.
IAPMO Exam Information (Wichita)Pass the Journeyman Exam
Take and pass the journeyman exam with minimum required score (typically 75%). Pay exam and license fees.
Congratulations! You're a Licensed Journeyman!
You can now work independently as a licensed journeyman plumber in your city.
Gain Journeyman Experience (Optional)
Work as a licensed journeyman for minimum 2 years (or gain 4 years total field experience) to become eligible for master license.
Pass the Master Exam (Optional)
Take and pass the master plumber examination to advance your career and supervisory capabilities.
Register Your Business (For Contractors)
If you want to become a contractor, register your plumbing business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation.
Kansas Secretary of StateObtain Insurance and Bonding
Get required general liability insurance, workers' compensation, and surety bonds as specified by your city/county.
Apply for Contractor License
Submit your contractor license application with all required documentation, certificates, and fees to your local licensing authority.
Congratulations! You're a Licensed Contractor!
You can now legally operate a plumbing business and take contracts from clients in your city/county.
Pro Tip
While the plumbing license certifies your skill, a creative and remarkable plumbing company name certifies your business identity and helps you stand out from competitors.
Brand Your Plumbing Business as a Professional
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Start Your FREE TrialMean Wage for a Plumber in Kansas
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the annual mean wage for plumbers in Kansas at $49,260.
Here's a breakdown by license type based on Indeed data:
| Type of Plumber | Per Hour | Per Year | |----------------|----------|----------| | Apprentice | $17.98 | $41,960 | | Journeyman | $27.05 | $54,107 |
The salary for plumbers may differ with the years of experience each of them has, the city in which you work, and many other important factors, including education, certifications, and various additional skills.
Top Plumbing Trade Schools in Kansas
There are various plumbing trade schools and colleges offering a wide range of training opportunities all over Kansas state for aspiring licensed plumbing contractors.
Some of the top institutions include:
- Plumbing and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas - Comprehensive apprenticeship programs
- North Central Kansas Technical College - Technical training and certification programs
- Butler Community College - Plumbing technology courses and certifications
- Johnson County Community College - Trade skills and plumbing education
Educational Resources
Consider attending a trade school alongside your apprenticeship to accelerate your learning and potentially reduce required field experience hours in some cities.
After Licensing: Take Your Plumbing Business to the Next Level
Being a professional plumber, you must be well aware of the fact that establishing a successful plumbing business takes more than just technical know-how. Having the right tools and techniques at your disposal is also essential.
Licensing demonstrates a commitment to providing safe and high-quality plumbing services. And, a leading estimating and invoicing software like InvoiceOwl can be your great assistance in taking one step forward toward this commitment. You can streamline your plumbing business invoicing operations using InvoiceOwl which is capable of:
- Creating professional estimates and invoices in minutes
- Free customized estimating and invoicing templates for more flexibility
- E-signing crucial documents without the need for pen and paper
- Real-time updates assuring you never miss important updates
- QuickBooks online sync available to automate your bookkeeping processes
- Effectively tracking payment status and automated payment reminders to get paid faster without any overdue
Frequently Asked Questions
What about the Kansas plumbing license reciprocity?
Kansas doesn't have any reciprocity agreement with any other U.S. state. So even if you have a plumbing license elsewhere, you need to apply for it in the city/county in Kansas where you want to provide your service.
What is the average wage of a plumber in Kansas?
As of now, you can earn $27 an hour on average in Kansas, according to data from Indeed. The annual mean wage for plumbers in Kansas is $49,260 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Is a plumbing license required in Kansas?
Yes. The state doesn't provide any license for plumbing at the state level. However, you need to seek the governing authority in your city or county to get your license. Most cities and counties in Kansas require plumbers to be licensed.
Does Kansas have an international plumbing code?
Yes, Kansas has adopted an international plumbing code established by the International Code Council (ICC). However, individual cities and counties may have local amendments to the code.
How long does it take to become a licensed plumber in Kansas?
The typical path takes about 2-4 years depending on your city's requirements. Most cities require a minimum of 2 years of apprenticeship experience before you can take the journeyman exam. To become a master plumber, you'll need an additional 2-4 years of experience.
Can I work in multiple cities with one Kansas plumbing license?
No. Since Kansas doesn't have a state-wide license, each city or county issues its own plumbing licenses. If you want to work in multiple jurisdictions, you'll need to apply for licenses in each one separately.
Conclusion
You are now loaded with the information and steps you need to get yourself licensed in Kansas and start your career as a plumber. Commence with visiting your local plumbing authority, as each city in Kansas has different regulations.
Career Advice
Aim to become a plumbing contractor and start your own plumbing business to maximize your earning potential. With the average plumber in Kansas earning $27/hour, owning your own business can significantly increase your income through efficient operations and multiple service contracts.
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