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How to become a licensed plumber in Missouri. Local/municipal licensing. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-04-03. Data verified 2026-04-03. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Governing Authority
Missouri — NO statewide plumber licensing body. Licensing handled entirely at city/county level. State statutes (RSMo 341.090–341.220) set minimum qualification standards.
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
71% of data points are verified against official sources. 11 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
No
State Licensed?
N/A
Apprentice Hours
N/A
License Levels
Varies
Total Fees
None
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Code Version
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Get My Free RoadmapRegulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
local
Local Jurisdictions Handle Licensing
Regulated by the Missouri — NO statewide plumber licensing body. Licensing handled entirely at city/county level. State statutes (RSMo 341.090–341.220) set minimum qualification standards.
Missouri does not issue a statewide plumber license. All licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. Requirements, exams, fees, and renewal rules vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department for exact requirements.
Apprenticeship Program
—
Total Hours
—
Duration
—
Classroom Hours
—
OJT Hours
Browse approved plumber training programs in Missouri.
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Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Exam requirements are set by individual municipalities. The information below represents common standards across jurisdictions.
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
Not RequiredMaster Exam
Not RequiredPlumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Missouri has 6% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Missouri has average plumbers density relative to population.
Missouri ranks #35 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality | Varies |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedN/A
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Plumbing licensing in this state is administered at the local or municipal level, not the state level. Requirements, fees, and exam details vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department or plumbing board for specific requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Licenses
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Missouri has no statewide plumber license. Statutory minimums (age 21/25, 5 yrs J, 3 yrs M) are among the highest in the nation. CE varies wildly by municipality — St. Louis requires 12 PEUs while Kansas City requires none.
Missouri does NOT have a statewide plumber licensing body — one of 6 states without state-level plumber licenses (with KS, NE, NY, PA, WY)
All licensing handled at city/county level; each municipality has its own plumbing board, application process, exams, and fees
A license from one Missouri jurisdiction is generally NOT valid in another
State statute RSMo 341.170 sets MINIMUM standards: Journeyman age 21+ with 5 years apprentice experience under master plumber; Master age 25+ with 3 years as licensed journeyman — local jurisdictions may set higher standards
Key jurisdictions: St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, Springfield, Columbia, Cape Girardeau
Jefferson City example: Apprentice $14, Journeyman $114, Master $114, Contractor $227 + insurance + $5,000 surety bond; accepted exams: ICC G28 (J with Gas), ICC G27 (M with Gas)
St. Louis requires 12 Professional Education Units (PEUs) before renewal; Kansas City requires no CE
Many jurisdictions have adopted International Plumbing Code (IPC)
HB 1926 (2024) proposed requiring jurisdictions to accept valid plumber licenses from other MO municipalities — check if enacted
No statewide reciprocity; reciprocity between MO municipalities is case-by-case
Plumber Schools in Missouri
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#28 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152)
Entry Level
$49,340
25th percentile
Median
$62,090
-1% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$91,760
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
7,900 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" includes pipefitters and steamfitters in addition to plumbers. Wages for plumbers specifically may differ.
Source: BLS OEWS – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+27,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
39,200
per year (avg.)
510,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Plumbing Career Ladder+34% salary growth potential
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Plumber (Journeyman)
$62,090
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$62,090
Master plumber license + contractor license
$83,150
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 212–222 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Missouri does not require a state plumber license. Licensing may be handled at the local or municipal level — check with your city or county for specific requirements.
Plumber requirements in nearby states
See how Missouri compares: Plumber License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours · Fewest Apprenticeship Hours
Related Guides
Study guides and code practice tests for the plumber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Missouri
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Missouri.
Official regulatory agency — added during plumber audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06
Moving to Missouri? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Plumber license to Missouri →
Transfer your Plumber license from Missouri to: Arkansas → | Illinois → | Iowa → | Kansas → | Kentucky → | Nebraska → | Oklahoma → | Tennessee →