Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a Statewide Electrical Contractor License in Missouri

Missouri licenses electricians statewide through the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (OSEC).1 For the Statewide Electrical Contractor License you need 4 years2 of training, at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training2, a passing score on the Division-approved electrical contractor, master electrician or journeyman electrician exam (ICC, Prov, NASCLA/PSI; other states' exams from ICC, NASCLA, Prometric, Prov, PSI also accepted)2 and a criminal background check3. Missouri does not issue a state license for journeyman electricians4; see what applies instead. The board lists $200 for the application5. You renew every 3 years6.

Last checked · 16 official sources

Who issues it

Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (OSEC)

Training and experience

Training: 4 years2
Experience: at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training2

Exam

Division-approved electrical contractor, master electrician or journeyman electrician exam (ICC, Prov, NASCLA/PSI; other states' exams from ICC, NASCLA, Prometric, Prov, PSI also accepted)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $2005

Renewal

Every 3 years6

From another state

Military service members and spouses2 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Statewide Electrical Contractor License
  2. Requirements for a Statewide Electrical Contractor License
  3. How much a Statewide Electrical Contractor License costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Missouri with a license from another state
  7. No state license for journeyman electricians
  8. City and county rules
  9. Check a license or report a problem
  10. Laws and rules
  11. Rule changes since January 2024
  12. Common questions
  13. Electrician licenses in other states

Who needs a Statewide Electrical Contractor License

Electrical contracting (installing, erecting or maintaining electrical wiring, equipment and components of any voltage) anywhere in Missouri regardless of local licensing; the licensee qualifies one business at a supervisory level.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Optional license: not required to keep working in a jurisdiction that has no local license or where you hold its local license.7
  • Not applicable to utility, gas, water, cable and telecom company employees, railroads, utility line contractors and others listed in 324.915.8
  • Low-voltage (class 2/3), fiber and communications cabling contractors are exempt.8

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Knowing violations are a class B misdemeanor.9

Requirements for a Statewide Electrical Contractor License

Education or training
Associate's degree from a state-accredited program (reduces experience to 8,000 hours).2
Who may teach it: Degree must come from a college or university accredited by an approved state or regional accrediting body; sealed or electronic transcript required.2
Education or training
4 years2
Four-year (bachelor's or higher) electrical engineering degree (reduces to 4,000 supervising hours).2
Education or training
Electrical journeyman certificate from a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship (reduces to 10,000 hours).2
Experience
At least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Verifiable practical hours installing equipment and associated wiring (base route).2
Supervision: Hours documented by W-2s with affidavit/notarized employer letter, employer affidavits, or verified local/state licenses.2
Substitute: 10,000 hours + DOL-approved apprenticeship journeyman certificate.2
Substitute: 8,000 hours + associate's degree.2
Substitute: 4,000 hours supervising installation + 4-year electrical engineering degree.2
Substitute: Missouri local electrical contractor or master electrician license current and active for 6 of the previous 8 years (verified by the issuing entity).2
Exam
Division-approved electrical contractor, master electrician or journeyman electrician exam (ICC, Prov, NASCLA/PSI; other states' exams from ICC, NASCLA, Prometric, Prov, PSI also accepted)2
Given by: International Code Council (via Pearson VUE), Prov, Inc., NASCLA (administered by PSI)10
Exams must be NEC-based, nationally standardized and given by an independent testing agency.2
Exam waived: A previously passed approved exam (including one taken for a local or other-state license) can satisfy the requirement.10
Background check
Background check required3
License may be refused for a guilty finding or plea for an offense directly related to the occupation (RSMo 324.012 standard).11
Insurance
Liability insurance of at least $500,000 (certificate issued by an insurer authorized in Missouri, not by an agent).2
Business requirements
A business doing electrical contracting under the statewide license must employ at least one statewide licensee at a supervisory level; a licensee may represent only one firm.7
Business requirements
Notify the office at least 10 business days before an employer change.3
Also required
State income taxes must be paid/filed to renew (RSMo 324.010).3
Also required
Application must be completed within 24 months.2

How much a Statewide Electrical Contractor License costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$2005OSECNot refundable. Effective June 30, 2019
Temporary license or permit$1005OSECNot refundable. Effective June 30, 2019
Duplicate or replacement license$105OSECNot refundable. Effective June 30, 2019
License verification to another state$105OSECNot refundable. Effective June 30, 2019
Insufficient Check Fee$255OSECReturned check. Not refundable. Effective June 30, 2019

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Meet one experience route (12,000 hours, or fewer hours with an apprenticeship certificate, associate's or engineering degree, or 6 of 8 years with a Missouri local contractor/master license).2
  2. Pass (or show a previous pass of) a division-approved contractor, master or journeyman electrical exam; pay the vendor directly.2
  3. Get a $500,000 liability insurance certificate from a Missouri-authorized insurer and proof of any local bonds.2
  4. Submit the application with the $200 non-refundable fee, proof of hours/education and exam results; finish within 24 months.2 Form (PDF, pr.mo.gov)12
  5. Keep getting permits and inspections from the city or county; the state issues neither.13
Apply online
mopro.mo.gov14
Application form
Form (PDF, pr.mo.gov)12
Temporary or provisional license
Rule lists a $100 temporary license fee; the nonresident military-spouse temporary courtesy license rule was rescinded May 30, 2026.2

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 3 years6
When it expires
All licenses expire September 30 every third year (2020, then every 3 years); notices about 90 days before.2
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $2505 (lapsed license restored within 2 years of the renewal date)
Reinstatement fee: $1005 (voluntary inactive back to active)
If it expires
Not renewed by the deadline: license goes inactive (lapsed); reinstate within 2 years with form and fee.2
Not renewed for 2 years: license is void.2
Renew online
mopro.mo.gov14

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Missouri Statewide Electrical Contractor License. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Missouri with a license from another state

These are the routes OSEC publishes for the Statewide Electrical Contractor License.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No licensure by reciprocity; out-of-state exam results and verified hours can be used toward the normal requirements.13
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Military experience may count toward education/training; the nonresident military-spouse temporary courtesy license rule was rescinded May 30, 2026.2

No state license for journeyman electricians

Missouri does not issue a state license for journeyman electricians.4

The official wording

“The statewide electrical contractor license is optional, not mandatory.”4

Missouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors

City and county rules

Individual electricians (journeyman, master) are licensed only by cities/counties. Political subdivisions may license electricians on experience plus a nationally accredited exam, and must accept the statewide electrical contractor license in place of a local contractor license; permits and inspections stay local.4

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
Kansas CityCertificate of Qualification in Electrical (Electrical Supervisor, Master Electrician or Master Limited Electrician), plus a city business license and a Contractor License for the business, all through CompassKC.15Official page15
IndependenceCity Master Electrical license for anyone hired for permittable electrical work; qualify with ICC or Prometric scores of 75%+ from the last 5 years or a reciprocal current license; expires every December 31; journeymen cannot obtain permits.16Official page16

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Missouri, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Missouri is on the Missouri license lookup page.

Look up a license
mopro.mo.gov14
File a complaint
pr.mo.gov14

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • May 30, 2026: 20 CSR 2117-2.080 (temporary courtesy license for nonresident military spouses) rescinded.2

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Statewide Electrical Contractor License in Missouri?

The rules set 4 years2 and at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my electrician license to Missouri?

No licensure by reciprocity; out-of-state exam results and verified hours can be used toward the normal requirements.13 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Statewide Electrical Contractor License in Missouri?

Every 3 years6.

Electrician licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. RSMo 324.900Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 20 CSR 2117-2 Licensure RequirementsMissouri Secretary of State, Code of State RegulationsDated April 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. OSEC Application InstructionsMissouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical ContractorsDated January 7, 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  4. RSMo 324.925Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
  5. 20 CSR 2117-1 General Rules (Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors)Missouri Secretary of State, Code of State RegulationsDated October 31, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  6. RSMo 324.935Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
  7. RSMo 324.920Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
  8. RSMo 324.915Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
  9. RSMo 324.945Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
  10. OSEC Approved ExaminationsMissouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical ContractorsDated February 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  11. RSMo 324.940Missouri Revisor of StatutesDated August 28, 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  12. OSEC Application FormsMissouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
  13. OSEC FAQ's for Electrical ContractorsMissouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical ContractorsDated July 1, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  14. OSEC homeMissouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
  15. KCMO BizCare Contractor LicensingCity of Kansas City, Missouri - BizCareChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Independence FAQ for contractors licensesCity of Independence, MissouriChecked November 7, 2026