General Contractor / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri General Contractor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Oversees construction projects. Requirements vary significantly by state.

What the Missouri data shows for General Contractors

To practice as a general contractor in Missouri, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on State Contractor License Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Missouri's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Experience plus Exam".

The initial price tag is $75, and renewal costs $75 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 3 weeks to process once complete. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Missouri, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

For general contractors, the reciprocity picture is: Usually not reciprocal — state-by-state basis.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
General Contractor · Missouri

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$219
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$93/yr
$185 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Experience plus Exam
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Contractor License Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$219
Renewal Fee
$185
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years
Compare fees across all states for General Contractor →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for General Contractor All Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for General Contractor in Missouri? ▼
Missouri requires, passing an exam (State Contractor License Exam), and an initial fee of $219. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a General Contractor in Missouri? ▼
Missouri licenses general contractors who complete its requirements (4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Missouri licensing board.
Can I transfer my General Contractor license to Missouri from another state? ▼
General Contractor licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Usually not reciprocal — state-by-state basis. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Missouri licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Missouri require a background check for General Contractor licensing? ▼
Yes, Missouri requires a criminal background check as part of the general contractor licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
How much does it cost to get a General Contractor license in Missouri? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Missouri is $75. The renewal fee is $75 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does General Contractor license processing take in Missouri? ▼
In Missouri, license processing for general contractors typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this general contractor license

General Contractor in Missouri, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a general contractor-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Missouri's general contractor requirements compare to every other state before relocating. General Contractor in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state general contractor license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Missouri's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Missouri overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Missouri licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.