Quick Reference Table
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
License Type | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, Plumbing Contractor (municipal credentials only) |
Regulating Agency | No state agency; regulated by city or county agencies. Examples: Sedgwick County MABCD, Wichita OCI, Overland Park Building Safety (portal.kansas.gov). |
Experience Required | Journeyman: 2–4 years practical (e.g. 8,000 hours); Master: additional 2–4 years as journeyman; varies by city |
Exam Required | Yes; ICC, IAPMO, or Prometric; 75% passing score (asse-plumbing.org) |
Renewal & CE | 2-year cycle; 12 CEUs (6 trade, 6 general) in Sedgwick County (sedgwickcounty.org) |
Fees | Certificate $35; Exam $125; Bond $5,000; Estimated total $400–$1,500 per city (as of 2026, see sources) |
Official Links |
Who Needs a License in Kansas?
You need a plumbing license in Kansas if you plan to perform, bid, or supervise plumbing work in most cities or counties. In Kansas, Plumbing license requirements in Kansas are mandated at the municipal level. State law does not provide a uniform license, so each local government defines the work covered by plumbing licensing.
Scope of work usually includes installing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing systems that handle: water supply, drainage, waste, venting, and plumbing fixtures. For example, the City of Wichita requires anyone performing these tasks as a business or for compensation to hold a valid license issued by their local authority. Most municipalities require a licensed Master Plumber or Plumbing Contractor business to pull permits and supervise work.
Distinctions apply between contractors, journeymen, and apprentices. Generally, only a Master Plumber or licensed contractor may contract directly with property owners or general contractors on plumbing jobs and may supervise journeymen and apprentices. If you are only employed as a plumbing laborer, you may qualify as an Apprentice Plumber, but must always work under supervision.
Handyman or owner-builder work is sometimes exempt for routine maintenance in some cities, but no statewide exemption exists. You must verify at the local level whether minor repairs or non-commercial work requires a license.
Plumbing License Requirements in Kansas: License Types
The primary Plumbing license requirements in Kansas cover several local license levels. Most cities recognize four key license types:
Apprentice Plumber: Entry-level, works only under supervision. Cannot work independently, pull permits, or supervise others.
Journeyman Plumber (with or without gas): Has several years verified experience. Can perform most plumbing jobs under a Master’s supervision. Cannot contract with the public or supervise.
Master Plumber (with or without gas): Can design, install, and supervise all phases of plumbing work. Qualified to pull permits, supervise apprentices and journeymen, and contract independently. Serves as qualifier for contractor business licenses.
Plumbing Contractor: Entity (company) licensed to bid or contract plumbing work. Must designate a Master Plumber as the responsible party to obtain the license.
Some cities may offer gas-endorsement variants or tie Med Gas qualifications to additional exams. Apprentice is the entry tier, and you must advance stepwise: Apprentice to Journeyman (via field experience and exam), then Journeyman to Master (via additional experience and another exam). A business-level Plumbing Contractor license requires a currently licensed Master on staff.
How to Get Licensed in Kansas
To meet Plumbing license requirements in Kansas, follow these key steps in your local jurisdiction:
Select Your Jurisdiction: Identify the city or county where you want to work and locate the specific licensing agency (e.g., City of Wichita, Sedgwick County MABCD, Overland Park, Topeka). Each has a separate process.
Meet Experience Requirements: Gather documentation of your industry experience. For Journeyman, most cities require you to show 2–4 years of hands-on plumbing work under supervision (e.g., ~8,000 hours). Masters need additional years as a licensed journeyman.
Exam Registration and Approval
Apply for the Exam: Register for your chosen city’s accepted exam (typically ICC, IAPMO, or Prometric). You may need an approval letter from the city before registration.
Take and Pass the Exam: Arrange an exam date with the assigned testing agency. Achieve at least a 75% score to qualify. Exam details differ slightly by agency, but format is standardized and open-book.
Local Application and Fees
Submit Plumbing License Application: Complete the city/county license or certificate application. Attach experience records (letters, affidavits, transcripts), exam results, and pay the required certificate/licensing fee.
Provide Bond and Insurance Info if Required: If applying for a contractor/business license, supply proof of the surety bond (commonly $5,000) and, where required, general liability and workers’ comp insurance.
Receive Your Local Certificate or License: After approval, the local agency will issue your credential. Only then can you legally perform or supervise regulated plumbing work, or contract for jobs.
Complete Renewal on Schedule: Most jurisdictions require you to renew every two years, submit continuing education records, and pay renewal fees to maintain your active status.
These Plumbing license requirements in Kansas apply at the city or county level, with paperwork, form names, and submission options varying widely. Some offices allow online submission, others require in-person visits.
Application Requirements
Each city or county sets specific Plumbing license requirements in Kansas for applicants. General requirements include:
Experience and Age
Most jurisdictions require you to supply proof of your industry experience. For a Journeyman application, you generally need 2–4 years of full-time work (commonly documented as 8,000 hours), verified by employer letters, field logs, or school transcripts. To seek a Master-level license, cities require proof of journeyman status plus 2 additional years (or similar accumulation of advanced experience). Some cities accept trade school years as partial equivalents for field hours. No statewide minimum age is specified in official sources; verify locally for exact age and legal presence or citizenship requirements.
Bond, Insurance, and Documentation
Plumbing Contractors must provide a surety bond (typical minimum $5,000, as of 2026; verify with each city). This bond is designed to protect the public and city from contractor missteps or non-completion of work. Many cities require you to submit a Certificate of Insurance showing general liability coverage, and if you employ others, valid workers’ compensation insurance. Business entities must include articles of incorporation, partnership agreements, or equivalent paperwork with the application.
Background Check and Related Certificates
No background check, fingerprinting, or federal EPA 608 certification requirement is documented for plumbing licenses at the municipal level in Kansas. However, cities may require you to confirm you do not have outstanding code violations or unresolved complaints before approving your application.
Exams
Every city sets its own Plumbing license requirements in Kansas for testing, but nearly all accept the ICC, IAPMO, or Prometric trade exams. No separate business/law exam is required in most Kansas municipalities.
The IAPMO exam format is:
Journeyman: 100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, open book (code book supplied or permitted), pass with 75% correct
Master: 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours, open book, pass with 75% correct
Retakes are allowed, but you may need to pay a new exam fee or submit a re-exam application to your municipal licensing board. Each city may have its own policy for rescheduling, waiting periods after a failed attempt, or maximum number of tries per year. Exam content covers plumbing code, math, safety, materials, and job-site application scenarios.
For more details, see the official IAPMO State of Kansas License Testing page and your city’s specific exam provider instructions.
Fees
Fees for all Plumbing license requirements in Kansas are set locally, not statewide. You should expect to pay several different fees during the licensing process:
Journeyman or Master certificate fee: $35 per certificate (as of 2026, Sedgwick County – sedgwickcounty.org)
Exam fee (IAPMO): $125 per exam (2026 – asse-plumbing.org)
Contractor surety bond: $5,000 minimum (as per summary – contractorlicenserequirements.com), required for Plumbing Contractor license
Renewal: $35 every two years (Sedgwick County, 2026)
Total estimated cost per city: $400–$1,500, depending on document, exam, bond, and administration fees (2026 city averages; see above sources)
Other cities may charge different certificate or administrative fees. Always check your local municipal agency or official fee schedule for current pricing.
Renewal and Continuing Education
To maintain your credentials, Plumbing license requirements in Kansas include regular renewal and proof of continuing education.
Renewal Period and Deadlines
In Sedgwick County and Wichita, journeyman and master certificates must be renewed every two years. Renewal applications generally must be filed before your certificate’s expiration date to avoid a lapse, but specific deadlines or late penalties are not detailed in official sources. You must verify late fees or grace periods for your city.
Continuing Education
The standard requirement in Sedgwick County is 12 continuing education units (CEUs) for each two-year renewal period. This typically includes 6 trade-specific CEUs and 6 general CEUs. Approved providers and eligible coursework are selected by the city/county licensing office. Other cities may have slightly different requirements.
Lapsed License Consequences
If you do not renew on time, Sedgwick County may allow a grace period but will require additional CEUs the longer your credential remains inactive. After a longer lapse, you could be required to reapply as a new candidate, including re-testing. Always check the lapse and reinstatement rules with your local agency before letting your license expire.
Reciprocity
There is no statewide reciprocity program for Plumbing license requirements in Kansas. Because Kansas has no state-level license, there are no formal agreements with other states. Passing an ICC or IAPMO exam in one Kansas municipality may help you get licensed in another city, but you still must apply and meet all local requirements. Out-of-state plumbers must apply for new credentials in each Kansas city or county where they plan to work.
Official Links
Kansas Business Licensing Portal (state business registration and links to city licensing)
Kansas Plumbing Exam Statute (eligible exam providers recognized by law)
Sedgwick County (Wichita) Plumbing Certificates (official requirements, CE, renewal)
IAPMO Kansas Exam Info (testing details, format, registration)
For a multi-city overview and additional resource links, see Kansas Plumbing License Requirements (multi-city summary).
