Missouri is home to over 11,000 electricians. Some are certified, some are licensed, and others may not have an official title at all. This is because Missouri’s electrical licenses are handed out city-by-city. Electrical contractors may be licensed by the state, but there are also alternative contractor licenses offered by the municipalities.
When it comes to being an electrician in MO, you’ll need clarity on where you want to work to know what licensing route you should take. This article will discuss state licensure as well as examples of MO city licensure to give you an idea of what to expect.
Do You Need an Electrical License in Missouri?
There is no state-wide mandate for electrical licensing in Missouri. Even though you can apply for a state Electrical Contractor License, it is not required by all municipalities.
Most cities will offer their version of an Electrical Contractor License, alongside accepting the state’s version. Other cities may also offer Master, Journeyman, and Specialty Electrical Licenses.
If you’re completing electrical work on your own home, you will likely be able to take out the appropriate electrical permits without a license.
While titles may vary, almost every license will require a minimum of 6,000 hours of experience and passing an official exam.
Electrical Contractor Licenses in Missouri
The Missouri Division of Professional Registration oversees the state’s Electrical Contractor Licenses. This is recognized in all MO cities, so it’s an effective license for those who plan to work in different municipalities within Missouri.
Electrical contractors are responsible for acquiring permits for larger projects. They may be master electricians themselves or employ and supervise one who conducts the primary electrical work on a project.
Requirements
Before applying to be a state electrical contractor, you’ll need to have passed a division-approved electrical contractor, master electrician, or journeyman electrician exam.
You’ll also need to meet ONE of the following work experience requirements:
- 12,000 hours of experience
- 10,000 hours of experience plus an electrical journeyman certificate from a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program
- 8,000 hours of experience and an associate’s degree
- 4,000 hours of experience and a bachelor’s degree
- Possess an electrical contractor, master electrician occupational, or business license granted in Missouri and held for 6 of the last 8 years
- The license must have required that you pass a National Electrical Code (NEC) exam
- The license must be in good standing
Hours of experience should be in wiring and installing electrical equipment. All electrical contractors must also hold liability insurance, detailed in the application process below.
Application
When completing the application to become a state-licensed electrical contractor, you’ll need to:
- Complete the full application
- Pay a $200 application fee
- Provide proof of your work experience and/or education through copies of W2s, local license, state licenses, a completed Work Experience Summary form, a Verification of Licensure form, or other supporting documents
- Provide proof that you’ve passed either an electrical contractor, master electrician, or journeyman electrician exam
- Prove liability insurance of at least $500,000
The state website provides additional information and FAQs about the application process as well as renewal information.
Contractors in Kansas City & St. Louis
As the most populated city in Missouri, Kansas City attracts many new and old electricians annually. Alongside St. Louis, this city only recognizes electrical contractors when it comes to licensing. You can opt to get your state license first and use reciprocity to work in these cities, or you can seek out licensure from the city itself.
Kansas City offers applications for Contractor Professional Certifications, while St. Louis offers an Electrical Contractor License.
Electrical Certificates in Springfield, MO
Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri, meaning there is a lot of electrical work to be done. This city offers Master Electrical and Journeyman Electrical Certifications.
Master electricians in Springfield must have 4 years of experience as a certified electrical journeyman OR 10 years of general electrical experience.
Journeyman electricians must have 4 years of electrical experience under a master electrician OR 6 years of general electrical experience.
Receiving an Electrical Certificate in Springfield
To receive your electrical certificate, you’ll need to:
- Fill out the application, attaching all original forms with notarizations – no copies will be accepted
- Have your previous employers fill out, sign, and notarize Applicant Experience Forms (page 4 of the application)
- If you are self-employed, you must complete this form yourself
- Send transcripts or proof of examination, if applicable
- Pay the $25 journeyman or $50 master fee
When you submit your application, consider attending the next Board meeting. They are held on the first Thursday of every month, and this is a time when the Board may ask you questions about your application. It’s not required that you attend but highly suggested. More information is found on page 6 of the application.
Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive information on sitting for the appropriate exam. The exam fee is approximately $110.
If you’ve already taken an ICC or Prometric exam and scored 75% or higher, you may be exempt.
Once you have passed your exam, you can bring the notification to the Department of Building Development Services to receive your certification card.
Electrical Certificates in Columbia, MO
Columbia, MO is an example of a city with many electrical certification options. It issues Electrical Contractor Certificates, as well as Master, Electric Sign Contractor, Electrical Journeyman, Sign Wireman, Burglar-Fire Alarm, Communication and Sound, Maintenance, and Apprentice Electrician Certificates.
Requirements for each of the certificates, fee information, and examination information can be found here.
Columbia honors certificates or licenses from other areas providing that they meet the minimum experience requirements detailed by the city.
Electrician Salaries in Missouri
As with any position, salaries for electricians in MO depend on their job experience, city of work, licensure, education, and other factors. Below are the average salaries for electricians across Missouri.
- Average electrician salary in Missouri: $54,017
- Average electrician salary in Kansas City, MO: $53,931
- Average electrician salary in St. Louis, MO: $66,130
- Average electrician salary in Springfield, MO: $52,263
- Average electrician salary in Columbia, MO: $50,187
These averages do not include overtime, which can add on $8,000+ annually.
