Renovation permits and contractor licences in Missouri

Trades that need a licence in Missouri

• Electrical work

  Missouri distinguishes two kinds of electrical licence in statute. A statewide licence allows the holder to practise in any jurisdiction regardless of local licensing requirements; a local licence, issued by a political subdivision, limits the holder to that subdivision or to one that requires no licence at all. Ask which one your electrician holds.

  Sources:Revised Statutes of Missouri 324.900 – Definitions⁠(opens in a new tab)Missouri Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  Political subdivisions must recognise a statewide electrical licence in place of a local one for doing work and obtaining permits, and cannot make a statewide licence holder sit a local examination to assess proficiency. They can still run an electrical code based on the National Electrical Code, issue their own permits, inspect a statewide licence holder's work and require an ordinary business licence.

  Sources:Revised Statutes of Missouri 324.925 – Political subdivisions to recognize statewide licensure⁠(opens in a new tab)

• General contracting and renovation

  There is no state board for general contractors, so for a renovation there is no state licence to check. The rule is whatever your city sets: Springfield reviews permit applications against its own contractor and trade licensing codes, and St. Louis will not let construction start without a City building permit. Ask your city what it licenses before you sign.

  Sources:Missouri Division of Professional Registration – Listings of boards⁠(opens in a new tab)Springfield – Building Development Services⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbing is not on the state's list of licensing boards, so plumbers are certified locally. Springfield issues trade certifications for the plumbing, gas and mechanical industries, and St. Louis takes a separate plumbing permit application alongside the building permit. Ask for the local certification, not a state one.

  Sources:Springfield – Building Development Services⁠(opens in a new tab)St. Louis – Apply for a building permit⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  The division's licensee search covers every board it administers, including electrical contractors, so a statewide electrical licence can be checked in seconds. For any other trade the check has to happen with your city or county, because that is where the licence is issued.

  Sources:Missouri Division of Professional Registration – Licensee search⁠(opens in a new tab)Missouri Division of Professional Registration – Listings of boards⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Missouri

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   For electrical work, ask whether the contractor holds the statewide licence or a local one, and check it in the state licensee search.

   Official lookup: Missouri Division of Professional Registration – Licensee search⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Remember your city cannot make a statewide electrical licence holder sit a local exam, but it can still require its own permits and inspections.

   Official lookup: Revised Statutes of Missouri 324.925 – Political subdivisions to recognize statewide licensure⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   For general, plumbing or mechanical work there is no state board, so ask your city which licence or trade certification it issues.

   Official lookup: Missouri Division of Professional Registration – Listings of boards⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Ask your city's building department which permits your project needs before work starts.

   Official lookup: St. Louis – Building Division⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Check whether your city requires a trade certification for the electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical part of the job.

   Official lookup: Springfield – Building Development Services⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)