Missouri contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

Statewide Electrical Contractor License (optional)

Electrical contractors who want one license accepted across Missouri. It is optional; contractors who work only where they hold a local license, or where none is required, do not need it.

• Good to know: Holders must carry $500,000 in liability insurance. Each company needs at least one statewide licensee at a supervisory level. Permits still come from the local jurisdiction.

Kansas City contractor license (local example)

Anyone performing construction-related work in Kansas City, Missouri. Both a city business license and a contractor license are required.

• Good to know: Steps: city business license, then a Certificate of Qualification for the qualified individual (for example, Residential Building Supervisor for one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes), then the contractor license through CompassKC.

City of St. Louis graduated business license for contractors (local example)

All contractors and subcontractors performing work or services within the City of St. Louis.

• Good to know: Required under city Ordinance 61094. Building and trade permits are handled separately by the Building Division.

What you need to qualify

• Also required: Requirements for builders and remodelers are set by each city or county. Check with the local building department where the work is located.

Contracts and homeowner protections

Contractors who repair or replace roofs or do other exterior work paid through property insurance may not offer to pay or rebate the insurance deductible and may not negotiate the insurance claim for the owner. The owner may cancel the contract before midnight on the fifth business day after the insurer says the claim is not covered, and the contract must include a boldface cancellation statement and a detachable Notice of Cancellation form. Refunds are due within ten days of cancellation (RSMo 407.725).

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

Electrical: an optional statewide electrical contractor license from the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (Division of Professional Registration); otherwise local licenses apply. Plumbing and HVAC: the state's board list has no plumbing or HVAC board, and cities issue these credentials (Kansas City, for example, issues plumber, heating and ventilating, refrigeration and gas-fired appliance supervisor certificates).

City and county rules

Licensing is local. Kansas City requires a city business license, a Certificate of Qualification for the responsible supervisor, and a contractor license, and contractor licenses must stay active to get permits. The City of St. Louis requires all contractors and subcontractors to hold a graduated business license. Other cities and counties set their own rules.

Working without a license

Violations of the roofing and exterior-work rules in RSMo 407.725 are unlawful practices under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Penalties for unlicensed work are set locally.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• No official page was found that explicitly states Missouri has no statewide general contractor license; this is based on the Division of Professional Registration's board list
• Kansas City insurance, cash deposit and fee amounts (in separate bulletins not checked)
• Statewide electrical license fees, exam and CE details (the FAQ we checked was dated 2017 and said fees would be set by rule)
• Any statewide written contract or deposit rules for general home improvement work

Sources

1. Listings of Boards (Missouri Division of Professional Registration)
2. Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors FAQ
3. Contractor Licensing (City of Kansas City, MO)
4. Contractor licensing (KCMO BizCare)
5. Contractor Business License Application Requirement (City of St. Louis)
6. RSMo 407.725 (roofing and exterior work contracts)