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

State License Requirements
Menu

Missouri has no state plumber license

Missouri does not issue a state license for plumbers.1 Cities and counties set their own rules; this page lists what Kansas City, St. Louis County and Independence require.

Last checked · 6 official sources

On this page
  1. Is there a Missouri plumber license?
  2. City and county licenses
  3. Laws and rules
  4. Plumber licenses in other states

Is there a Missouri plumber license?

No. Missouri does not license plumbers at the state level.1

  • The county plumbing law does not apply inside a municipality that regulates plumbing by its own ordinance.2
  • State law requires a plumber certificate from the city board of examiners for anyone working as a master or journeyman plumber in a city or town of 15,000 or more; violation is a misdemeanor.1
  • In counties that adopted the county plumbing law, owners may do "minor repairs" (leaks, frozen pipes, broken fixtures) without a licensed plumber; other plumbing and drainlaying needs a licensed plumber or drainlayer and a permit.3
The official wording

“That there shall be in every city of fifteen thousand inhabitants or more, a board of examiners of plumbers, consisting of three members…”1

Missouri Revisor of Statutes

City and county licenses

Plumbers in Missouri are licensed locally. State law (RSMo 341.010) requires master and journeyman plumbers working in cities of 15,000 or more to hold a certificate from the city board of examiners, and first-class counties may adopt RSMo 341.090-341.220, under which a county board licenses master and journeyman plumbers and drainlayers (master: age 25 and 3 years as a licensed journeyman; journeyman: age 21 and 5 years as an apprentice under a master; one-year licenses; $2,000 surety bond for masters). Cities and counties set their own exams, fees and renewal; e.g. Kansas City issues Journeyman and Master Plumber certificates of qualification, St. Louis County licenses master and journeyman plumbers through its Board of Plumbing Examiners, and Independence requires a Master Plumber license for permitted plumbing work.1

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
Kansas CityCertificate of Qualification in Plumbing (Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber) for individuals performing or supervising plumbing work, plus a city business license and a Contractor License for the business.4Official page4
St. Louis CountySt. Louis County Board of Plumbing Examiners licenses master and journeyman plumbers (also drainlayers (master only), pipe fitters, sprinkler fitters, lawn irrigation installers and water heater specialists). Apply for examination with a $30.00 fee payable to the St. Louis County Treasurer (non-refundable), verification of the required experience (applicants licensed outside St. Louis County furnish a copy of each license and notarized employer letters; journeyman applicants submit notarized letters and verification of apprenticeship training); after Board approval the applicant is mailed a registration packet for the selected testing agency and must take the exam within seven months; a failed exam cannot be retaken for 90 days; after passing, register and pay the license fee. Active licensees need 12 PEUs (Professional Education Units) of approved CE in each three-year license period, at least 3 on codes/regulations.5Official page5
IndependenceCity Master Plumber license for anyone hired for permittable plumbing work; qualify with ICC or Prometric scores of 75%+ from the last 5 years or a current license from a reciprocating jurisdiction; licenses expire every December 31 (no pro-rating); journeymen cannot obtain permits.6Official page6

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Plumber 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 341.010 Plumbers must have certificatesMissouri Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. RSMo 341.210 Law shall not be construed as limiting or restricting existing authorityMissouri Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  3. RSMo 341.090 DefinitionsMissouri Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  4. KCMO BizCare Contractor LicensingCity of Kansas City, Missouri - BizCareChecked November 7, 2026
  5. St. Louis County Board of Plumbing Examiners — Application for Examination (Master/Journeyman)St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public WorksChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Independence FAQ for contractors licensesCity of Independence, MissouriChecked November 7, 2026