To become a licensed general contractor in Kansas, you will need to be certified through your local city, county, or jurisdiction. As with electricians, plumbers, and other specialty trades, Kansas does not license general contractors at the state level, so you will need to fulfill the education requirements and attain and provide the necessary documents, such as identification and a certificate of insurance, and pay all associated fees.
Any business wishing to operate within Kansas will need to register through the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office first, regardless of jurisdiction. As such, becoming a general contractor in Kansas is more complicated than in most other states, but knowing where and how to apply can make the process more straightforward.
General Contractor License Requirements in Overland Park, KS
Overland Park is located in Johnson County, Kansas, meaning that, to get a contractors license in Overland Park, you will have to obtain a Johnson County contractors license. To become a Johnson County contractor, you will have to file an application through the Johnson County Contractor Licensing webpage. This agency provides a licensing application packet, in which you’ll need to meet some requirements before or during your application process.
To fulfill the requirements for a Johnson County contractors license, you will have to:
- Provide proof of liability insurance
- Provide proof of worker’s compensation insurance.
- Appoint a qualifying individual who either has a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture, engineering, or construction science/management OR passes an ICC accredited exam. The qualifying individual may be you, the contractor, or any full-time employee.
- The qualifying individual must show proof of experience.
- Verify the identity of the qualified person with a photo I.D.
- Supply a digital photo of the qualified individual for license card.
- Register any business structure with the Kansas Secretary of State. Corporations must show that their business entity is in good standing.
- Pay application and licensing fees.
Your individual requirements may vary slightly depending on which contractors license you apply for. Along with your application and supporting documents, you will either have to carry a degree, or pass an International Code Council or Prometric test. For more information on testing, visit the State of Kansas Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, or the Prometric website.
Johnson County Contractor Licensing
Johnson County Contractor Licensing offers a variety of licenses. As a general contractor, you will likely be applying for one of the following:
Class A – General Contractors License: Allows the construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition of any structure. Class A license holders may perform roofing, framing, and swimming pool construction as well, but cannot perform HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or fire protection work.
Class B – Building Contractor License: This license is needed for the construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition of any structure three stories and lower. With a Class B license, you are allowed to perform framing, roofing, swimming pool construction, non-structural remodeling, tenant finish, and any repair work on all structures within your height limit. A Class B license does not allow you to perform HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or fire protection work.
Class C – Residential Contractor License: A Class C license is for the construction, remodeling, repair, or demolition of single-family, duplex, and accessory buildings. Holding a Class C license allows you to perform roofing, framing, swimming pool construction, non-structural remodeling, and repairs on single and two-family dwellings. However, it does not allow you to perform HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or fire protection work.
Licensing and Registration Fee Summary
The cost of a Johnson County contractors license is reasonably straightforward:
- Application Fee: $100
- Licensing Fee: $225 per license
- License Renewal Fee: $225 per license
Fees can be mailed in with your application in the form of cash, check or money order. They can also be paid via Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
General Contractor License Requirements in Wichita, KS
Your Wichita, Kansas contractors license will be overseen by the Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department. The MABCD issues all contractors licenses in Sedgwick County, and you must fulfill their requirements to obtain yours. A general contractor will apply for the MABCD’s Building/General Contractor license. However, for any license, you’ll first have to:
- Register for a business license, if operating as a business, through the Kansas Secretary of State.
- Appoint a qualified individual — who will need to pass an exam. The qualified individual may be a sole proprietor, company owner, or a full-time employee.
- Present a certificate of good standing.
- Provide a notarized certificate of insurance, as well as Workman’s Compensation.
- Pay all application and licensing fees.
Wichita, KS Contractors Licensing
The MABCD classifies their contractors licenses much the same as Johnson County. Your Wichita Contractors application will be one form for every license:
Class A – General Contractors License: For contractors constructing, altering, repairing, adding, or demolishing any building or structure. A Class A license holder may perform work on residential and commercial structures.
Class B – Building Contractor License: For contractors constructing, remodeling, adding to, or demolishing commercial buildings or single to multi-unit residential buildings no more than three stories in height.
Class C – Residential Contractor License: For contractors constructing, remodeling, or demolishing one and two-family dwellings and accessory structures.
The MABCD also offers specialty trade licenses such as roofing, swimming pool construction, siding, and more.
Licensing and Registration Fee Summary
You can expect to pay an initial $50 application fee, along with the following Wichita contractor licensing fees:
- Class A – $1000 for two years
- Class B – $600 or two years
- Class C – $450 for two years
General Contractor License Requirements in Topeka, KS
Your Topeka, or Shawnee County, contractors licensing process will mimic that of the other counties in Kansas. Your application will be conducted through the Topeka Development Services Division. Documents that must accompany your application and additional requirements include:
- Proof of education — Transcripts and educational certifications.
- Passing exam scores.
- Appointing a qualifying party.
- Providing general liability insurance
- Provide proof of workers compensation insurance.
Topeka applicants must schedule and pass an ICC accredited exams. For more information, visit the International Code Council website.
Topeka County Contractors License
Your application to become a general contractor in Topeka will require you to specify each license you are applying for:
Class A – Kansas Standard General Building Contractor: For work on residential and commercial structures, not limited to any height.
Class B – Kansas Standard Building Contractor: For work on residential and commercial structures no more than three stories high.
Class C – Kansas Standard Residential Building Contractor: For work on residential buildings only.
Topeka also offers specialty trade licenses, such as elevator, excavation, framing and roofing contractor services.
Licensing and Registration Fee Summary
You can expect to pay the following exam and licensing fee for each license below:
- Class A: $453 licensing fee, $110 exam fee
- Class B: $253 licensing fee, $110 exam fee
- Class C: $203 licensing fee, $110 exam fee
Accepted forms of payment are credit cards, check, money order, or cashier checks and should be made payable to the City of Topeka.
Kansas State Business Licenses and Registration
Businesses that operate within Kansas are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller’s permit), and unemployment insurance tax. Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue for more information on business registration and your tax obligations. Additionally, most businesses operating in Kansas will be expected to obtain basic liability insurance coverage.
Kansas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements and Forms
Contractors with employees in Kansas are required to be both bonded and insured. This means carrying general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage, either through a commercial carrier, on a self-insured basis, or through the Kansas Department of Labor. Additionally, all Kansas Contractors, both independent and commercially employed, must have bond insurance before they can begin work on any contracted project. The cost of getting bonded may vary depending on your insurance carrier or bonding company as well as the project being bonded.
Kansas Contractor License Lookup and Verification
Depending on the local jurisdiction, your contractor license lookup will be through different agencies:
To look up and verify a contractor in Johnson County by company or the individuals’ name, address, or license type, visit the Johnson County Contractor Licensing Search System.
Visit the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Permits and Neighborhood Code Violation Reporting web portal to lookup and verify a contractor, building, or business permit.
See General Contractor Licensing Information in Nearby States
- Nebraska contractors license
- Colorado contractors license
- Oklahoma contractors license
- Missouri contractors license
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a General Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Kansas, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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