Unlike an electrician license, there is no state-wide license for a plumber in Missouri; however, the licensure needs to go through each individual city or county level. Therefore, depending on where you live in Missouri, the procedure can vary from those of other parts of the state.
In this article, we cover how to become a licensed plumber in Missouri particularly in Kansas City and St. Louis. So let get started!
How to Get a Plumbing License Missouri?
In Missouri State, any person who wants to engage to provide plumbing service needs to obtain a contractor license. The contractor licensing is governed by each local city or county; therefore, you need to contact each city or county to get more information about obtaining the license.
In the later section below, we cover the licensing requirements in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. They range from the apprenticeship, journeyman as well as master plumber license.
Plumbing Apprenticeship in Kansas City/Missouri
In Kansas City, you can find the apprenticeship program which is an accredited vocational program, or as after-graduate work through the city employment portal. To participate in the apprenticeship program, you can search for registered apprenticeships in Kansas City by using the Missouri state apprenticeship portal. Typically, apprenticeship programs and related resources are often provided by trade schools.
There is no requirement to be an apprentice in order to get a journeyman plumber. Thus, if you want to be eligible to apply for a journeyman plumbing license, you will need two years of installation plumbing experience.
Journeyman Plumbing License in Kansas City/Missouri
As mentioned above, there is no requirement to be an apprenticeship in order to apply for the journeyman plumbing license, you will need at least 2 years of working experience in the installation of plumbing work.
Below are some of the requirements to become a licensed journeyman plumber in Kansas City, Missouri:
- Must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or GED
- Submit the application form
- Pay any application and license fees
- Provide proof that you have at least 2 years experience of installation plumbing by two notarized reference letters by licensed or certified professionals in the plumbing trade
- You need to get at least 70% of the required exam
Master Plumbing License in Kansas City/Missouri
The next step is to become a master plumber after fulling the requirements in Kansas City. Below are the key requirements in order to get a master plumbing license in Kansas City, Missouri:
- Must be at least 25 years old;
- Has minimum 3 years experience as a journeyman plumber;
- Submit the application form to obtain the license;
- Pay the application as well as license fees;
- You need to submit two notarized letters of reference from certified or licensed plumbing professional;
- You should be able to direct other people on the installation of plumbing and drainage;
- Should possess a skillful in planning, designing, as well as installing plumbing and drainage facilities;
- You shall need to complete 2 years of experience in the installation of plumbing work and 3 years of trade work; at least being a journeyman plumber in one of those years;
- Get a minimum of 70% score on the master plumbing and gas exam. This exam is administered by Prometric of Kansas City.
Plumbing Apprenticeship in St. Louis/Missouri
As a prospective apprentice in St. Louis, you need to fill out the apprentice registration form in order to work as an apprentice. Below is the key registration process in order to become an apprentice in St. Louis:
- Pay the one-time registration fee of $10
- Attendance is mandatory for a Board of Plumber and Drainlayer Examiners meeting;
- Provide a signed letter of employment/apprenticeship confirmation by a master plumber.
Journeyman Plumbing License in St. Louis/ Missouri
Applicants for a journeyman plumbing license in Missouri must be at least twenty-one years old and have completed at least five years as an apprentice. Apprentice plumbers work under the supervision of a certified master plumber, and the application process includes documentation of this work.
To become a journeyman plumber in St. Louis/Missouri, you must first apply to take the test. You will be sent an assessment packet after your application has been approved, and you will have seven months to complete the exam. You won’t be eligible to get your journeyman plumbing license until you complete the test. You will be unable to retake the journeyman plumbing test for ninety days if you miss it.
Below are the requirements to become licensed journeyman plumber in St. Louis/Missouri:
- Applicants must be 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have worked as an apprentice for at least five years under the guidance and supervision of a certified master plumber.
- The candidate must have a working knowledge of plumbing and be proficient in the installation of plumbing and drainage systems.
- Applicants must be familiar with the agreed criteria and concepts of plumbing, pipe, and wastewater systems for public health safety.
- Send two notarized reference letters from licensed or qualified plumbing experts attesting to your two years of construction plumbing experience.
- Get a 70 percent or higher on the required test.
Applying for a Journeyman Plumbing License
Fill out the application and send it to the city with a $30 application fee. The processing fee must be charged at the same time as the application. If you hold a journeyman license from anywhere other than St. Louis County, Missouri, you must present a copy of it as well as a notarized letter from previous related employers.
You will get a test booklet in the mail containing guidance about how and when to take the exam after your submission has been approved and checked.
Master Plumbing License
After fulfilling the journeyman plumbing license and gain at least 3 years of journeyman plumber, now you are eligible to apply for a master plumber.
To receive a master plumber certification, you must first submit an application for the test. You will be sent an assessment packet after your application has been approved, and you will have seven months to complete the exam. You won’t be eligible to get your journeyman plumbing license until you complete the test. You will be unable to retake the journeyman plumbing test for ninety days if you miss it.
Below are the requirements to apply for a master plumbing license in St. Louis/Missouri:
- Candidates for a master plumber’s permit must be above the age of twenty-five;
- Candidates must have at least three years of experience as journeyman plumber.
- The candidate must be capable of instructing others in the construction of plumbing and drainage systems, as well as preparing, constructing, and implementing plumbing and drainage systems.
- Have two notarized letters of recommendation from approved or qualified plumbers.
- Pass the master plumbing license with a score of 70% or above.
- Applicants must have a clear understanding of agreed plumbing practices, values, and art in order to safeguard public health.
Applying for a Master Plumbing License
You need to fill out the application and deliver it to the county with a $30 registration fee. If you have a master plumbing license from anywhere other than St. Louis County, Missouri, you must present a copy of your master license as well as a notarized letter from former employers.
Once your master plumbing license application has been approved, you will receive a test packet in the mail containing instructions about how and when to pass the tests.
License Reciprocity in Missouri
There is no available data on license reciprocity in Kansas City; however, St. Louis offers license reciprocity if you are previously a licensed journeyman plumber.
In order to be eligible for obtaining license reciprocity in St. Louis, you will need to fulfil the requirements as follow:
- Provide a copy of any or all active license
- Provide a signed and notarized letter from any current or former relevant employers in order to verify your work experience that would meet the county requirements.
Salary in Missouri
- According to estimates, fewer qualified plumbers benefit less than those with greater experience and higher-level credentials and licensure.
- Salary will vary by city, depending on the level of growth of the region and the demand for skilled professionals.
- Missouri’s annual plumber wage is $54,780.
