Plumber / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri Plumber License Requirements

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Missouri data shows for Plumbers

Missouri's path to plumber licensure runs through 5,351 hours of approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Missouri folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $121 to get started, plus $104 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For plumbers, the reciprocity picture is: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
24/100
Plumber · 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 F
5,351 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$121
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$104/yr
$104 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
5,351 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$121
Renewal Fee
$104
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years
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 Plumber in Missouri?
In Missouri, the license path calls for 5351 education/training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and a $121 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Missouri?
Certification as a plumber in Missouri means clearing the state's checklist: 5351 hours of education plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Missouri licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Missouri from another state?
Plumber licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. 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 Plumber licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for plumber licensing in Missouri. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Missouri?
To stay licensed as a plumber in Missouri, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $104.

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in Missouri, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Missouri's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber 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.