Plumber license requirements in Missouri.
Missouri has no statewide plumbing license. Licensing happens city by city and county by county, and the larger jurisdictions take it seriously — state statute sets baseline qualifications for journeyman and master plumbers, but those provisions only bite in jurisdictions that have formally adopted them.
What Missouri requires.
Local certificates of qualification — journeyman and master
Issued by individual jurisdictions. Kansas City and St. Louis County both issue journeyman and master level certificates.
Exam requirement in larger cities
By state statute, journeyman and master plumber candidates must sit an exam to work in a city with a population of 15,000 or more.
- · Experience requirements vary by jurisdiction — Kansas City requires two years while some cities require four, so the same plumber can qualify in one city and not another.
- · Chapter 341 sets baseline qualifications, but only takes effect where a jurisdiction has formally adopted it.
The official board
Local jurisdictions — Kansas City Department of Planning & Development and St. Louis County Department of Public Works are the largest (Missouri has no state plumbing board)
Chapter 341, Missouri Revised Statutes (applies where adopted locally)
Visit the boardVerified 2026-08 against the sources below. Licensing rules change — confirm with the board before relying on this page.
Missouri plumbing licensing FAQ.
Does Missouri require a state plumbing license?
No. Missouri does not issue a statewide plumbing license. Licensing is handled at the city or county level, and each jurisdiction sets its own standards, fees, and processes.
Who licenses plumbers in Missouri?
Local jurisdictions. The Kansas City Department of Planning & Development and the St. Louis County Department of Public Works both issue certificates of qualification at journeyman and master levels, and other cities run their own programs.
Do you have to take an exam to be a plumber in Missouri?
In larger cities, yes. By state statute, journeyman and master plumber candidates must pass an exam to work in a city with a population of 15,000 or more. Smaller jurisdictions may have different or no requirements.
How much experience do Missouri plumbers need?
It depends on the jurisdiction — commonly two to four years under supervision. Kansas City requires two years while some cities such as Jefferson City require four, so check the specific city or county where you work.
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