Loading...
Loading...
How to become a licensed electrician in Missouri. Local jurisdictions handle licensing. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (OSEC) — optional contractor license only
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
59% of data points are verified against official sources. 19 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
No
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
2 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
hybrid
License Types
Notes
Missouri does not require a mandatory statewide electrician license. Journeyman and master licenses are issued at the city/county level. An optional statewide Electrical Contractor license is available through OSEC. Some Missouri counties have no electrician licensing requirement at all.
Hybrid: State Contractor License + Local Electrician Licenses
Regulated by the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (OSEC) — optional contractor license only
Missouri issues electrical contractor licenses at the state level, but journeyman and master electrician licenses are issued by local cities and counties. Requirements for individual electrician licenses vary by jurisdiction.
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Exam Required
No
Official Title
Master Electrician
Exam Required
No
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
The exam information below applies to the state-level contractor exam. Journeyman and master electrician exams are administered by local jurisdictions and requirements vary.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Journeyman Exam
Not Required
Master Exam
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verifiedVaries by local jurisdiction. Kansas City: every 4 years. St. Louis County: annually.
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
No formal reciprocity agreements with other states. The optional statewide contractor license is accepted in Kansas City and potentially other MO cities in lieu of local license.
Transfer Details
No formal interstate reciprocity. OSEC considering agreements — email OSEC@pr.mo.gov. Within Missouri, state contractor license holders can work statewide. KC accepts passing scores from other MO cities without retesting.
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Missouri is unusual in having an OPTIONAL (not mandatory) statewide Electrical Contractor license through OSEC, introduced in 2019. This creates a hybrid system: local licensing remains the primary pathway, but the optional statewide license provides portability across all Missouri jurisdictions. Kansas City uniquely categorizes master electricians into Class I (all systems) and Class II (existing circuits 10ft or less). There is no statewide NEC adoption — the St. Louis area adopted 2023 NEC in January 2025 while some rural areas remain on 2017 NEC, creating a patchwork of code requirements across the state.
OPTIONAL STATE CONTRACTOR LICENSE: Available through OSEC (Division of Professional Registration). $200 application, 3-year renewal. Requires: NEC-based exam from independent testing agency + 12,000 hours practical experience (or 10,000 + DOL apprenticeship certificate, or 8,000 + associate's degree) + $500,000 liability insurance. Does NOT replace local permits — you still follow local procedures.
JEFFERSON CITY: Offers journeyman license. Prometric exam, 80 questions, 3 hours, open-book, 75% passing.
KANSAS CITY: Master Electrician Class I (unlimited) and Class II (existing circuits ≤10 feet) only — no journeyman license. Prometric exam, 50 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% passing. 3 years experience with 2 notarized references. Low-voltage exam also required for contractors. CompassKC online portal.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY: Journeyman and Master from Board of Electrical Examiners. 12,000 hours experience. Prometric master exam, 75% passing. Contractor: $125/year + $100/month late fee. Insurance: $10,000 bond + $500,000 liability. W2 forms + Affidavit of Employment required.
Some Missouri counties have NO electrician licensing requirement. No statewide electrical code — municipalities adopt their own (most use NEC).
Because Missouri handles electrician licensing at the local level, with an optional statewide contractor license. Requirements vary by city and county. Below are requirements for major jurisdictions. Contact your local building department if your city is not listed.
| License Types | Class I Master Electrician — Unlimited — can install, alter, repair, or remove any electrical equipment Class II Master Electrician — Limited to maintaining and altering existing circuits spanning 10 feet or less Electrical Supervisor Certificate — Supervision credential Electrical Contractor — Business license for electrical contracting |
| Licensing Authority | City Planning & Development, Permits Division, 5th Floor City Hall |
| Experience Required | 3 years as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor. Must provide 2 notarized reference letters from licensed professionals in the electrical trade from 2 different companies. |
| Exam | Class I and Class II Master exams administered by Prometric. 50 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% passing score, open book. Maintenance electrician exam also available (50 questions, 2.5 hours, open book). Low-voltage exam available through ICC or Prometric (50 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% passing). |
| Fees | Verify current fees from official source — historically ~$125/year licensing fee |
| Renewal | Verify renewal cycle from official source |
| Contact | (816) 513-1500 ext 1, option 2; cdlicensing@kcmo.org |
| Walk-In Hours | M-F 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (arrive by 3:45 PM) |
| Official Source | https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/city-planning-development/contractor-licensing |
If you hold a Missouri state electrical contractor license, you can work in KC without a separate city license. If you have a license from another MO city, you may apply without retesting if you can provide verification of a passing exam score.
| License Types | Master Electrician Electrical Contractor |
| Licensing Authority | St. Louis County Board of Electrical Examiners |
| Experience Required | Must provide employment verification including W2 forms and Affidavit of Employment Experience form. |
| Exam | Master electrician exam — 100 questions, 4 hours, open book. |
| Fees | $167 licensing issuance fee (one-time); renewed every 4 years for $167. |
| Renewal | Every 4 years, $167 renewal fee. |
| Insurance | $10,000 indemnifying bond and $500,000 contractor liability insurance required for contractors. |
St. Louis County has one of the more structured local licensing programs in Missouri, with a dedicated Board of Electrical Examiners.
| License Types | Journeyman Electrician — One of the few MO cities to offer this level Electrical Contractor |
| Licensing Authority | City of Jefferson City, Department of Planning & Protective Services |
| Experience Required | 8,000 hours as an apprentice (documented on company letterhead). |
| Exam | Journeyman exam administered by Prometric. 80 questions, 3 hours, open book, 75% passing score. Topics: NEC, electrical theory, safety, local codes. |
| Fees | $105 licensing application fee + $100 testing fee = $205 total initial. |
| Renewal | Verify renewal cycle from official source. |
Jefferson City is one of the few municipalities in Missouri that offers a journeyman-level license, making it a good option for electricians who want a formal journeyman credential even if they plan to work elsewhere in the state.
| License Types | Electrician License — Verify specific license types from city government |
| Licensing Authority | City of Springfield — verify from city government website |
| Experience Required | Verify from Springfield city government website. |
| Exam | Verify from Springfield city government website. |
| Fees | Verify from Springfield city government website. |
| Renewal | Verify from Springfield city government website. |
Springfield is one of Missouri's larger cities that requires local electrical licensing. Verify current requirements with the Springfield city government.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Missouri.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#16 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$48,740
25th percentile
Median
$70,950
+14% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$91,690
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
12,660 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+17% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$70,950
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$70,950
Master electrician license + contractor license
$83,150
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Official state agency — OSEC main page
Accessed 2026-03-22
Official state agency — OSEC FAQ
Accessed 2026-03-22
Apprenticeship Missouri oversees registered programs. Standard: 8,000 hrs OJT + ~144 classroom hrs/year over 4-5 years.
Accessed 2026-03-19
No state-level exam. Local jurisdictions administer their own exams. See special_notes for Kansas City and St. Louis details.
Accessed 2026-03-19
Missouri handles electrician licensing at the local level. All licensing is managed through the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (OSEC) — optional contractor license only.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.