Contractor licensing — Missouri

Missouri's contractor licensing landscape is unusual. The state maintains one statewide construction-trade license (the Statewide Electrical Contractor license through OSEC) and leaves plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, and general contracting entirely to cities and counties. Missouri does not issue a state general contractor license. State-level licenses. - Statewide Electrical Contractor (SEC). Administered by the Missouri Division of Professional Registration Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (OSEC) under Missouri Revised Statutes sections 324.900 to 324.945. Holders are recognized in every Missouri political subdivision under section 324.925; a city may still require a local bond and permits but cannot require a duplicate contractor license. Application fee is $200, plus proof of $500,000 liability insurance and any local bonds required where work is performed. Source: Missouri OSEC FAQ (https://pr.mo.gov/electricalcontractors-FAQ-Contractors.asp). - Plumbing. Not state-licensed. Missouri Revised Statutes section 341.170 directs cities of 15,000 or more and qualifying counties to adopt their own plumbing licensing rules. Examples include Kansas City, St. Louis (City), St. Louis County, Springfield, Columbia, and Jefferson City. - HVAC and Mechanical. Not state-licensed. Cities and counties handle mechanical licensing. - General contracting. Not state-licensed. Cities and counties set their own general contractor registration requirements. Local licensing (representative examples, not exhaustive). - Kansas City, MO. Kansas City Department of Regulated Industries handles electrical, mechanical, and plumbing contractor registrations, each with its own exam and bond or insurance requirements. - St. Louis (City). The City of St. Louis Building Division handles local electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractor registrations. - St. Louis County. Operates a separate county-level plumbing license regime. - Springfield. City of Springfield Department of Building Development Services. Business registration. - Formation. Missouri LLCs are formed under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 347 by filing Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State. The filing fee is $50 online or $105 by mail or in person. Source: Missouri Secretary of State Business Forms (https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/forms). - Fictitious name. Required if operating under a name other than the legal entity name. Filed with the Secretary of State. - Sales tax. Register with the Missouri Department of Revenue if selling taxable items. Source: Missouri Department of Revenue (https://dor.mo.gov/). - Employer tax accounts. Register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for withholding and with the Missouri Division of Employment Security for unemployment. A realistic Missouri trades launch involves (1) qualifying for and obtaining either the Statewide Electrical Contractor license or the required city/county trade license for your trade, (2) forming the LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State, (3) carrying the required liability insurance and bonding for each jurisdiction of operation, (4) registering tax and employer accounts, and (5) confirming every municipal ordinance and bond amount before permitting.