Unlike most states in the United States, Missouri does not have a state board that certifies applicants and issues licenses for plumbing. Instead, the licensing is handled at the city and county level. This means that depending on where you live in Missouri, the process may be different than other locations in the state.
A plumbing license is required for work in any city in the state that has a population of fifteen thousand or more people. All candidates for a license must be at least eighteen years old and have at least the equivalent of a high school diploma. All other requirements will vary based on the city or county in which an application is submitted.
While this article cannot take into accounts all the different requirements in the state at the city or county levels, it can provide an overview of some specific examples and trends for becoming a licensed plumber in the state of Missouri. This article will specifically lay out instruction on obtaining a license for St. Louis County in Missouri, as it is the highest population in Missouri and most likely sets the trend for all other local municipalities in the state.
Obtaining a Journeyman Plumbing License in St. Louis Missouri
In Missouri, applicants for a journeyman plumbing license must be at least twenty one years old and have at least five years of experience as an apprentice. Apprentice plumbers work under the supervision of a licensed master plumber, and verification of this work is part of the application process.
To obtain a journeyman plumber license you must first apply for the examination. Once your application is accepted, you will be mailed an exam packet after which point you’ll have seven months to complete your exam. Only after you pass the exam will you be able to obtain your journeyman plumbing license. If you fail the journeyman plumbing exam, you will be unable to retake the exam for ninety days.
Applying for a Journeyman Plumbing License in St. Louis Missouri
Fill out the application form and submit it to the county along with a $30 application fee. The fee must be paid with the application. If you already have a journeyman license from another location other than St. Louis County, Missouri, you will need to present a copy of your license along with a notarized letter from former relevant employers.
Once your application is accepted and reviewed you will receive an exam packet in the mail with instructions on how and where to take your exam.
Getting Your Plumbing License
Once you pass your exam, you will need to submit the results to the board for certification. This must be submitted within ninety days of receiving your passing results. If you don’t submit the results within ninety days, you will need to retake the exam.
Your license will be mailed to your home.
Obtaining a Master Plumbing License in St. Louis Missouri
In Missouri, much like the journeyman license, applicants for a master plumbing license must be at least twenty one years old. They should also have at least three years of practical experience as a licensed journeyman plumber.
To obtain a master plumber license you must first apply for the examination. Once your application is accepted, you will be mailed an exam packet after which point you’ll have seven months to complete your exam. Only after you pass the exam will you be able to obtain your journeyman plumbing license. If you fail the journeyman plumbing exam, you will be unable to retake the exam for ninety days.
Applying for a Master Plumbing License in St. Louis Missouri
Fill out the application form and submit it to the county along with a $30 application fee. The fee must be paid with the application. If you already have a master plumbing license from another location other than St. Louis County, Missouri, you will need to present a copy of your master license along with a notarized letter from previous relevant employers.
Once your application for the master plumbing license is accepted, you will receive an exam packet in the mail with instructions on how and where to take your exam.
Getting Your Plumbing License
Getting your master plumbing license once you pass your exam is the same as with a journeyman license. Once you pass your exam, you will need to submit the results to the board for certification. This must be submitted within ninety days of receiving your passing results. If you don’t submit the results within ninety days, you will need to retake the exam.
Your license will be mailed to your home.
Helpful links
St Louis County Plumbing License Application: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/transportation-and-public-works/plumbing-licensing/plumbing-journeyman-master-plumber/application-for-examination/
Plumbing Apprenticeship
You can become a plumbing apprentice with little to no experience. One great place to look is the Local8 union and enter into their five year apprenticeship program. More information on that can be found here: https://plumberslocal8.com/join/apprenticeship/
There are other unions in the state that offer assistance in getting started in your plumbing career, so do a google search within your local area if you prefer to look outside of the Local8 union.
Plumbing Education Available in Missouri
Linn State Technical College
1 Technology Drive, Linn, MO 65051
Phone : (573) 897-5131
Website: www.linnstate.edu
Ranken Technical College
4431 Finney Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113
Phone : (314) 371-0233
Website: www.ranken.edu
Vatterott College
8955 E. 38th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64129
Phone : (816) 861-1000
Website: www.vatterott-college.edu
Vatterott College
12970 Maurer Ind. Drive, Sunset Hills, MO 07015
Phone : (314) 843-4208
Website: www.vatterott-college.com
Vatterott College
3925 Industrial Drive, St. Ann, MO 63074
Phone : (314) 428-5900
Website: www.vatterott-college.edu
Vatterott College – Springfield, Missouri Campus
3850 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65807
Phone : (417) 831-8116
Website: http://www.vatterott-college.edu
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