Unlike for general contractors or plumbers, Missouri does offer state licensure and regulation for electrical contractors. Missouri has unique rules for electrical licensing — you can be registered on the state-level or your local city- or county-level, depending on the scope of practice you’d like to have. Below, you can find details about how you obtain your Missouri state electrical license, as well as an electrical license from the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis.
Missouri Electrical License Reciprocity
Because of the optional nature of state licensure, Missouri offers state license reciprocity to any individual licensed in Missouri in a city or county with similar testing or education requirements. For those licensed outside of Missouri, you can reach out to the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors to see if your state’s licensing standards are transferable.
Missouri Electrical Journeyman License and Insurance Requirements
To become eligible for a statewide electrical journeyman license, you must submit the following:
- An application for electrical contractor’s license;
- The licensing fee;
- Proof of education/experience — acceptable education/experience hours and verification methods can be found in the Application Instructions document;
- Passing examination score;
- Certificate of liability insurance valued at $500,000.
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The same requirements need to be fulfilled by those seeking to apply for an electrical contractor’s license, however, those looking to become an electrical contractor will take a different approved state test, listed below.
Electrical Journeyman Exam
Before you can submit an application for statewide licensure at either the contractor or journeyman level, you will need to pass a state electrical exam. Missouri recognizes several exams for both contractors and journeymen. Here are the exams approved by the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors:
- Pearson VUE ICC:
- Electrical Contractor, 2011 version: W49;
- Electrical Contractor, 2014 version: F49;
- Master Electrician, 2011 version: W16;
- Master Electrician, 2014 version: F16;
- Journeyman Electrician, 2011 version: W17;
- Journeyman Electrician, 2014 version: F17.
- Prov, Inc:
- Electrical Contractor (Code years 2011, 2014);
- Master Electrician (Code years 2011, 2014, 2017);
- Master Residential Electrician (Code years 2011, 2014);
- Journeyman Electrician (Code years 2011, 2014, 2017);
- Journeyman Residential Electrician (Code years 2011, 2014).
The Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors recommends that those testing with Prov, Inc. review the Candidate Information Bulletin prior to testing.
Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
The state of Missouri does not require an apprenticeship to qualify for an electrical journeyman’s license. However, you can use registered apprentice hours to fulfill your education/experience requirements. If you are interested in pursuing an apprenticeship, you can check out the state’s registered apprenticeship page.
Electrical Trade Schools in Missouri
Here are a few of the trade schools offering electrical programs in Missouri:
American Trade School
3925 Industrial Dr,
St Ann, MO 63074
(314) 423-1900
Kansas City Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center
303 E 103 Terrace,
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 942-3242
State Technical College of Missouri
1 Technology Dr,
Linn, MO 65051
(573) 897-5000
Missouri Professional License Search
You can search for your license on the Missouri Division of Professional Registration licensee search portal. Or, you can request license verification directly from the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors.
Kansas City Electrical License Reciprocity
If you have a Missouri state electrical license, you can work as an electrical contractor in Kansas City without having to apply for a Kansas City electrical license. If you do not have a state license, but you do have a license from another city in Missouri, you may apply for electrical licensure in Kansas City without retesting if you can provide verification of a passing exam score and successfully meet the other requirements.
Kansas City Master Electrician License Requirements
Kansas City offers both a limited master electrician license and an unlimited master electrician license. The difference between these licenses determines your permit authorization and filing status. To apply for a limited master electrician license, you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age;
- Submit an application to the City Planning & Development Department;
- Pay the application fee listed at the top of the application;
- Submit two notarized letters of reference letters from licensed professionals in the electrical trade;
- Possess three years of work experience as a journeyman, supervisor, or foreman electrician;
- Note: One of these years may be substituted with a degree in electrical engineering from an accredited electrical trade-program;
- Receive a score of 70% or higher on the maintenance electrical examination administered by Prometric for the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
To apply for an unlimited master electrician license, you will need to:
- Be at least 21 years of age;
- Submit an application to the City Planning & Development Department;
- Pay the application fee listed at the top of the application;
- Submit two notarized letters of reference letters from licensed professionals in the electrical trade;
- Possess three years of work experience as a journeyman, supervisor, or foreman — one of these years must be in the industrial or commercial electrical field;
- Note: One of these years may be substituted with a degree in electrical engineering from an accredited electrical trade-program;
- Earn a score of 70% or higher on one of the two recognized exams administered for Kansas City, Missouri — the master electrical examination administered by Prometric, or the standard master electrician examination administered by ICC.
Kansas City Electrical Journeyman License Requirements
Kansas City does not offer electrical licensure at the journeyman level, but rather starts at the supervisor level. In order to apply for an electrical supervisor license, you must:
- Apply for and be approved for a contractor’s license;
- Be at least 21 years of age;
- Submit an application to the City Planning & Development Department;
- Pay the application fee listed at the top of the application;
- Provide two notarized reference letters from licensed professionals in the electrical trade;
- Possess at least three years of experience in the electrical trade;
- Pass one of the Kansas City electrical exams with a score of 70% or higher.
Electrical Supervisor Exam
Kansas City recognizes two exams for those seeking their electrical supervisor license. You may take:
- The low-voltage electrical examination administered by the Prometric;
- The low-voltage electrician examination administered by ICC.
You must pass either exam with a 70% or higher to apply for your electrical supervisor license. Official scores will be sent directly to the Kansas City city planning department from your testing body of choice.
Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
Kansas City does not state a requirement for apprenticeship hours to apply for an electrical supervisor license. However, an apprenticeship can be a great way to fulfill the work experience hours requirement. The state of Missouri’s registered apprenticeship portal can help you find an apprenticeship in Kansas City.
Electrical Trade Schools in Kansas City
Trade-school can help you hone your skills and fulfill license requirements. Here are some electrical trade-schools in Kansas City:
Kansas City Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center
303 E 103 Terrace,
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 942-3242
The Builders’ Association
105 W 12th Ave,
North Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 471-0880
Kansas City Professional License Search
You can apply for and verify your license or permit on the Kansas City licensing portal, CompassKC.
St. Louis Electrical License Reciprocity
St Louis does offer license by reciprocity for previously licensed electricians. To be eligible for licensure by reciprocity in St. Louis you will need:
- A copy of any/all active licenses if you possess more than one;
- A signed and notarized letter from any current or former relevant employers verifying your work experience meets the county requirements.
St. Louis Electrical License Requirements
St Louis offers both journeyman and master level electrician licenses through the same application process. To apply for an electrical license in St. Louis County, you will need:
- A completed application submitted to the Board of Electrical Examiners;
- To be at least 21 years of age;
- Affidavit of employment experience submitted by your current or previous employer;
- Completion of a recognized National Electrical Code class with a 75% or more, at least 24 months prior to application;
- Verification of educational/training hours in the following fields:
- Apprenticeship;
- An electrical engineering degree coupled with installation experience;
- Installation experience while employed by an electrical contractor;
- Electrical experience gained in the military.
Specific hours required for each of these fields depending on your desired level of licensure can be found in the Application Rules and Regulations document.
Electrical Licensing Exam
All electrical exams for all St. Louis county licenses will be administered and regulated by your educational institution or trade-school program. Your institution will need to submit verification of your final exam/course scores in order to complete your application.
St. Louis Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
An apprenticeship is not specifically required to apply for your electrical license in St. Louis, however, it is one of the options listed for work experience. You can use the Missouri state apprenticeship portal to help you find a registered apprenticeship. Many trade-schools also have apprenticeship programs for pre and postgraduates.
Electrical Trade Schools in St. Louis
Here are some of the trade-schools in St. Louis that can help you achieve your electrical license:
Ranken Technical College
4431 Finney Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63113
(314) 371-0236
Electrical Connection
2300 Hampton Ave Ste A,
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 644-3587
St. Louis Professional License Search
To check on the status of your license you can use the citizen’s portal or reach out to the St. Louis Board of Examiners by email at ElectricalLicensing@stlouisco.com.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become an Electrical Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Missouri, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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