Quick answer: a plumbing license in Missouri is a local credential, not a state one. Missouri has no state plumbing board and issues no statewide plumber license. State law sets the tiers and the minimum experience, then hands the actual licensing to cities and counties. So the card you carry comes from a city or county board, and the exam, fees and renewal are theirs.
Who licenses plumbers in Missouri
There is no Missouri plumbing board to apply to. Instead, RSMo Chapter 341 delegates plumber licensing to two kinds of local government:
- Cities and towns with 15,000 or more people (RSMo 341.010 to 341.080). These set up a local board of examiners that licenses master and journeyman plumbers inside the city.
- First-class counties (RSMo 341.090 to 341.220). These run a county plumbing department with a board of plumbing and sewer inspection.
In practice that means St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, St. Charles County and the rest each have their own application, their own exam and their own card. A license from one does not automatically travel to the next jurisdiction over.
The license tiers Missouri law defines
RSMo 341.170 sets the minimum qualifications local boards work from:
- Master plumber. At least 25 years old, with at least 3 years of experience as a licensed journeyman plumber.
- Journeyman plumber. At least 21 years old, with at least 5 years of practical experience as an apprentice under a licensed master plumber.
- Master drainlayer. At least 25 years old, with at least 3 years of drainlaying experience.
- Journeyman drainlayer. At least 1 year of practical drainlaying experience.
Local boards can require more than this. They cannot require less.
Bonding
In first-class counties, RSMo 341.200 requires master plumbers and master drainlayers to post a $2,000 surety bond with the county. That number lives in an old statute, and most jurisdictions now want a larger bond plus general liability insurance before they will hand you a permit. Ask the local office what they actually require before you buy anything.
Exams, fees and renewal
All local. There is no single Missouri plumbing exam, no statewide fee schedule, and no state continuing education requirement for plumbers. Whatever your city or county board publishes is the rule for you.
Before you plan a timeline, call the office that covers your main work area and ask three things: which exam they use, how often they give it, and whether they will accept experience or a license from another Missouri jurisdiction.
Reciprocity
Missouri has no statewide reciprocity program, because there is no statewide license to reciprocate. Some local boards will waive their exam for a plumber already licensed in a comparable Missouri jurisdiction, but that is a local call and it is not guaranteed. If you plan to run work across several metros, budget for more than one license.
How to get licensed in Missouri, step by step
- Pick your primary jurisdiction. Whichever city or first-class county you will pull the most permits in, start there.
- Call that board. Get their current application packet, exam schedule and fee list in writing.
- Document your hours. You will need to prove the years under RSMo 341.170, usually with employer letters or apprenticeship records.
- Sit the exam. Local boards typically test the plumbing code they have adopted plus basic business and law.
- Bond and insure. Get the surety bond and liability coverage the jurisdiction requires before you apply for permits.
- Add jurisdictions as you grow. Repeat for each city or county you want to work in.
FAQ
Does Missouri have a state plumbing license? No. There is no statewide plumber license and no state plumbing board. Licensing is done by cities of 15,000 or more and by first-class counties under RSMo Chapter 341.
Can I work anywhere in Missouri with one license? No. Your license is good in the jurisdiction that issued it. Working in another city or county usually means getting licensed there too.
How long does it take to become a master plumber in Missouri? Under the state minimums, roughly 5 years as an apprentice to qualify for journeyman, then 3 more years as a licensed journeyman to qualify for master. Local boards may add to that.
Is continuing education required? Not by the state. Some local boards require it for renewal, so check with yours.
Requirements change. Always confirm with the city or county board that licenses your area, and with RSMo Chapter 341, before you apply. This page is general information, not legal advice.
More: our plumbing license guide covers how licensing works across the country, and the plumbing license by state hub has every state we have written up so far. If you are past the license and building the business, start with how to start a plumbing business and what to charge per hour.
