Plumber license requirements in Kansas.
Kansas does not license plumbers at the state level — there is no state plumbing board and no statewide plumbing license. Licensing happens city by city and county by county, and the larger jurisdictions do require it. Before you work in a new area, the question is not “am I licensed in Kansas” but “what does this county require.”
What Kansas requires.
Local trade certificates (journeyman, master, plumbing contractor)
Issued by individual cities and counties. In Sedgwick County and Wichita, MABCD issues trade certificates for journeyman plumbers, master plumbers, and plumbing contractors.
Local contractor licenses
Johnson County licenses plumbing contractors through the Contractor Licensing Division in its Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development, covering jurisdictions including Overland Park.
- · Because there is no state license, there is no statewide reciprocity — a certificate from one Kansas jurisdiction does not carry into another.
- · MABCD trade certificates expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year, and renewal requires 12 hours of continuing education in your trade, at least 6 of them code-related.
- · Smaller Kansas towns may have no plumbing licensing at all — confirm with the local building department rather than assuming either way.
The official board
Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) — Sedgwick County & City of Wichita (a local licensing authority; Kansas has no state plumbing board)
(316) 660-1840
Visit the boardVerified 2026-08 against the sources below. Licensing rules change — confirm with the board before relying on this page.
Kansas plumbing licensing FAQ.
Does Kansas require a state plumbing license?
No. Kansas does not license plumbers at the state level — there is no state plumbing board and no statewide license. Plumbing licensing is handled locally, so what you need depends entirely on the city or county where the work is.
Do you need a license to do plumbing work in Kansas?
It depends on where you work. Many Kansas jurisdictions require a local license or trade certificate — Sedgwick County and Wichita through MABCD, and Johnson County through its Contractor Licensing Division, for example. Other areas may not require one at all. Check with the local building department before you quote the job.
Who issues plumbing licenses in Kansas?
Cities and counties. In Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita, the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department issues journeyman plumber, master plumber, and plumbing contractor certificates. Johnson County licenses plumbing contractors through its own Contractor Licensing Division.
Does a Kansas plumbing license work statewide?
No. Because licensing is local, a certificate issued in one Kansas jurisdiction does not automatically authorize work in another. Plumbers working across metro areas often carry more than one local certificate.
How do Wichita-area plumbing certificates renew?
MABCD trade certificates expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Renewal requires 12 hours of continuing education related to your trade, with at least 6 hours focused on code.
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