How to Get Your
Missouri Plumbing License
Your complete guide to becoming a licensed plumber in Missouri. Learn about local requirements, costs, and the step-by-step process to launch your plumbing career in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Jefferson City.
Missouri Plumbing License Quick Facts
Minimum Age
21 years (Journeyman)
Experience Required
2-4 years depending on city
License Fee
$10 - $210
Licensing Bodies
City/County authorities
Renewal Period
Every 3-4 years
Exam Pass Score
70-75% minimum
You can earn more than $59000 a year as a plumber in Missouri. And that's just the average. But for that to happen, you need a Missouri plumbing license before you start providing plumbing services.
However, if you are wondering how to get your license, don't worry. In this post, we will walk you through the costs and requirements to start your plumbing journey.
Who Provides Plumbing Licenses in Missouri?
Unfortunately, there is no state-wide governing authority for plumbing licenses here. You will need to apply for a license in the city or county you want to serve. Here are the licensing authorities in the popular cities/counties in Missouri:
Missouri Licensing Authorities
City Planning and Development Department
Kansas CityIssues plumbing licenses for Kansas City area
Department of Transportation and Public Works
St. Louis CountyIssues plumbing licenses for St. Louis County (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
City Administration
Jefferson CityIssues plumbing licenses for Jefferson City area
Here, we will cover how you can get your plumbing license in these main regions of Missouri. But first, let's look at the types of licenses you can get as a plumber in Missouri.
What are the Types of Plumbing Licenses in Missouri?
Usually, plumbing licenses are divided into four stages where you have to move from one to the next as you get eligible.
License Types Available
Missouri Plumbing License Progression
Apprentice Plumber License
This is where it all begins. An apprenticeship license allows you to provide plumbing services under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber.
Key Requirements
- Work under supervision
- Register with local authority
- Complete required training
Journeyman Plumber License
As a licensed journeyman plumber, you can provide plumber services on your own while working for a plumbing business.
Key Requirements
- 2-4 years experience
- Pass journeyman exam
- Be at least 21 years old
Master Plumber License
A master plumbing license gives you the power to plan and supervise plumbing services, in addition to executing them yourself. In some regions, master and contractor are the same.
Key Requirements
- 2+ years as journeyman
- Pass master exam
- Total 12,000 hours experience
Plumbing Contractor License
If you want to start your plumbing business, you will need to be licensed as a contractor. You don't need to be a master to get licensed as one—just need a master plumber on your team.
Key Requirements
- Have master plumber on staff
- Register business entity
- Pay contractor fees
Now, let's take on various regions of Missouri and start your plumbing journey.
Kansas City Plumbing License
Plumbing License Requirements
City Planning and Development Department
Kansas City License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level requirements
- You don't need to be a licensed apprentice to move on to become a journeyman plumber in Kansas City
- Gather 2 years of plumbing experience
- Can enroll in an apprenticeship program or approved vocational program
2Journeyman Plumber License
For working independently
Journeyman Plumber License
For working independently
- Be at least 21 years of age with a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Submit the application form along with paying the required fees
- Submit 2 notarized reference letters proving that you have at least 2 years of experience
- Apply for the exam and pass it with a minimum of 70% score
3Master Plumber License
For supervision and planning
Master Plumber License
For supervision and planning
- Submit an application for becoming a licensed master plumber along with paying the required fees
- Submit 2 notarized letters from licensed plumbers
- Gather 2 years of plumbing installation experience and 3 years of trade experience
- Complete 1 year as a licensed journeyman
- Apply for the exam and pass it with a minimum of 70% score
Plumbing License Costs
City Planning and Development Department Fees
Kansas City License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | $25 | Refer to official website |
| Journeyman | Refer to official website | $60 | Refer to official website |
| Master | Refer to official website | $60 | Refer to official website |
| Contractor $60 application fee | Refer to official website | $181 |
License Renewal Information
You will need to renew your Kansas City plumbing license every 4 years.
St. Louis Plumbing License
Plumbing License Requirements
Department of Transportation and Public Works
St. Louis County License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level requirements
- Get employed by a master plumber and receive training under the supervision of a journeyman and master plumber
- Register with the plumbing board with the application form along with paying the $10 fee
2Journeyman Plumber License
For working independently
Journeyman Plumber License
For working independently
- Register yourself at the Office of Plumbing and Sewer Inspection and pay the application fee
- Submit an application and pass the journeyman exam
- Verify your apprenticeship
3Master Plumber License
For supervision and planning
Master Plumber License
For supervision and planning
- Submit an application and pass the master exam
- Pay the applicable fees
- Submit a notarized letter signed by all your employers verifying your work experience
Plumbing License Costs
Department of Transportation and Public Works Fees
St. Louis County License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | $10 | |
| Journeyman | $30 | ||
| Master | $30 |
License Renewal Information
You need to renew your St. Louis plumbing license every 3 years.
Jefferson City Plumbing License
Plumbing License Requirements
City Administration Requirements
Jefferson City License Requirements
1Journeyman Plumber License
For working independently
Journeyman Plumber License
For working independently
- Get a minimum of 4 years of experience as a licensed apprentice by the city of Jefferson
- OR get a minimum of 4 years of experience as a plumber with 8000 working hours
- Apply for the journeyman plumbing license and pay the applicable fees
- Score a minimum of 75% in the journeyman plumber exam
2Master Plumber License
For supervision and planning
Master Plumber License
For supervision and planning
- Get a minimum of 2 years of experience as a licensed journeyman by the city of Jefferson
- OR provide proof of licensed journeyman or master experience
- Gather experience a total of 12000 hours in the plumbing trade
- Apply for the master plumbing license and pay the applicable fees
- Score a minimum of 75% in the master plumber exam
Plumbing License Costs
City Administration Fees
Jefferson City License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | $12 | |
| Journeyman | $100 | $105 | |
| Master | $100 | $105 | |
| Contractor | — | $210 |
Steps to Get Your Missouri Plumbing License
Step-by-Step Guide
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Plumber
Choose Your City or County
Decide where you want to work in Missouri (Kansas City, St. Louis County, Jefferson City, or another municipality) as licensing is handled locally.
Start as an Apprentice
Get employed by a master plumber or enroll in an approved apprenticeship program or vocational program.
Gain Required Experience
Complete 2-4 years of plumbing experience under supervision (requirements vary by city). Kansas City requires 2 years, while Jefferson City requires 4 years.
Meet Age and Education Requirements
Be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Apply for Journeyman License
Submit your journeyman application to your local licensing authority with required documentation and fees.
Kansas City ApplicationPass the Journeyman Exam
Take and pass the journeyman plumber exam with a minimum score of 70-75% (depending on your city).
Congratulations! You're a Licensed Journeyman!
You can now work independently as a plumber while employed by a plumbing business.
Gain Journeyman Experience (Optional)
Work as a journeyman for 1-2 years to qualify for master plumber licensing.
Apply for Master License (Optional)
Submit your master plumber application with verification of your journeyman experience and required fees.
Pass the Master Exam (Optional)
Take and pass the master plumber exam with a minimum score of 70-75%.
Start Your Business (Optional)
If you want to become a contractor, ensure you have a master plumber on your team and apply for contractor licensing.
Kansas City Contractor InfoCongratulations! You're a Licensed Contractor!
You can now legally operate a plumbing business and take contracts from clients in Missouri.
Pro Tip
You don't need to have a plumber's license yourself to become a plumbing contractor. You just need a business partner, member, or officer who is a licensed master plumber on your team to represent your business.
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Start Your FREE TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Do plumbers have a good career in Missouri?
Yes, of course. As we stated earlier, plumbers earn a lucrative amount of over $59,000 a year on average. In fact, the state, as of now, employs over 9,000 licensed plumbers, making it a stable and growing profession.
Can I provide any plumbing services in Missouri without a license?
No. You will need to get licensed from your city or county to provide any plumbing services in your region. The state doesn't have any governing authority for providing plumbing licenses—all licensing is handled at the local level.
Is there a state-wide plumbing license in Missouri?
No, there is not. Missouri does not have a state-wide governing authority for plumbing licenses. You must apply for a license in the specific city or county where you want to work. Each municipality has its own requirements and fees.
How long does it take to become a licensed plumber in Missouri?
The typical path takes about 2-4 years depending on your location. Kansas City requires 2 years of experience for journeyman licensing, while Jefferson City requires 4 years. If you want to become a master plumber, add another 1-2 years of journeyman experience.
Can I work in multiple cities with one Missouri plumbing license?
No. Since Missouri uses local licensing, your license is only valid in the city or county that issued it. If you want to work in multiple areas, you'll need to check if there are reciprocity agreements or apply for licenses in each jurisdiction.
Conclusion
There you have it. Now you have a basic idea of getting your plumbing license in Missouri. However, we recommend you visit your applicable authority for plumbing to get more details and get started.
Career Advice
Aim to become a plumbing contractor and start your own plumbing business to maximize your earning potential. With the average plumber in Missouri earning over $59,000 per year, owning your own business can significantly increase your income.
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