Do you need a general contractor license in Missouri?

No. Missouri does not issue a state general contractor license. Licensing is handled by cities and counties. Missouri has no statewide license for this trade. The Division of Professional Registration licenses electrical contractors only among the construction trades, and a 2026 bill for a statewide mechanical contractor license (SB 957) stayed in committee. Licensing is done by cities and counties, and each sets its own classes, fees, renewal periods and insurance rules; local licenses do not transfer between jurisdictions. There is no state general contractor license. Kansas City licenses residential building contractors (with a Residential Building Supervisor certificate) for one- and two-family homes and townhouses, requires $1,000,000 per occurrence liability insurance with the city named as additional insured where required, and requires the city business license to be renewed first. The City of St. Louis requires a contractor business license from the License Collector. Other cities and counties such as St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Springfield and Columbia set their own rules. Check with the city or county where the job is before you start work.

Our records point to: Kansas City, MO City Planning and Development, Permits Division (contractor licensing) Rules differ from one city or county to the next, so check with the one where the job is.