Missouri Plumber License Cost
Trade Card Fees Are Low — The Real Costs Are Elsewhere
Individual trade card fees in Missouri are modest, ranging from $10 to $117 depending on jurisdiction and license level. Contractor licensing and administrative fees can reach $233. But the card is just one line item. The full cost of getting licensed includes exam fees, bonding, insurance, business registration, and potentially continuing education — and those add up fast when you plan to operate across multiple jurisdictions.
Trade Card Fees by Jurisdiction
| Jurisdiction | Apprentice | Journeyman | Master | Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $0 | $60 | $60 | $60 app + $181 issue |
| St. Louis City | $10 | $30 | $30 | Per municipal code |
| St. Louis County | $10 | $30 local exam/administrative fee + $30 card | $30 local exam/administrative fee + $30 card | Included in business tax |
| Springfield | Board fee | ~$125 exam + card fee | ~$125 exam + card fee | $25+ receipts-based |
| Jefferson City | $14 | $117 | $117 | $233 |
| St. Charles County | — | — | — | $200 biennial + $25 new fee |
| Columbia | — | — | — | $30 app + $17 background |
| Jefferson County | — | — | — | $30 app + $150 license |
Exam Fees
This is where jurisdiction selection matters most:
ICC exams (Pearson VUE, used by Springfield, Jefferson City, St. Charles County): typically $120–$150 per attempt.
IAPMO exams (St. Louis County): significantly more expensive, and rising through January 2027:
| Exam | July 2026 | January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman written (online) | $175 | $175 |
| Journeyman practical | $190 | $225 |
| Master written (in-person) | $275 | $325 |
Prometric exams (Kansas City): confirm the current fee with the testing vendor.
A candidate taking both the journeyman and master exams in St. Louis County will spend $400–$575 on testing fees alone by January 2027.
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Contractor Startup Costs
Beyond the trade card, establishing a plumbing contracting business involves:
| Cost Category | Range |
|---|---|
| Secretary of State filing (LLC) | $50–$150 |
| State sales tax registration | Free |
| Surety bond ($5K–$25K face value) | $100–$500/year premium |
| General liability ($500K–$1M) | $800–$3,000/year |
| Workers' comp (if employees) | Varies by payroll |
| Local contractor license fee | $25 minimum–$241 |
Total Estimated Costs
For a solo plumber going from journeyman exam to operating as a contractor in a single jurisdiction:
- Low end (Jefferson City, minimal insurance): ~$800–$1,200
- Mid range (Kansas City or Springfield): ~$1,500–$2,500
- High end (St. Louis County with IAPMO exams + multiple jurisdictions): ~$3,000–$5,000+
An additional jurisdiction can add bond premiums, license fees, and insurance certificate adjustments.
Hidden Costs to Plan For
Local tax clearances: Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis City require a Statement of Clearance proving all local taxes are paid before issuing contractor licenses. Unpaid personal property taxes can block your application.
Continuing education: St. Louis County requires 12 PEUs (24 instruction hours) every three years. At $75 per 2-hour class from private providers, that is roughly $900 per cycle — though free PEU events from suppliers like Atlas Supply Company reduce the bill.
Multi-jurisdiction overhead: Operating in three jurisdictions means separate insurance certificates, any required bonds, and separate renewal cycles. The administrative cost of tracking all of this is real even if each individual line item is affordable.
The Missouri Plumber License Guide includes a cost calculator worksheet and jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction fee tables to help you budget the full licensing path.
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