Handyman license requirements in Missouri
Short answer: Missouri has no state handyman or general contractor license. Cities and counties set the rules, including Kansas City and St. Louis, and the state offers an optional statewide electrical contractor license.
General information, not legal advice. Checked October 13, 2026 against the sources below. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before you take a job.
State rules
Missouri doesn't license handymen or general contractors. The state does offer an optional statewide electrical contractor license that local governments must accept, though you still pull permits locally.
Local rules
Kansas City requires a contractor license for permit and structural work, and business registration for other work. St. Louis City requires contractors to hold a city business license, and St. Louis County has its own separate rules. Plumbing and HVAC are licensed locally. Check with each city and county you work in.
Official sources
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Questions
Do you need a license to be a handyman in Missouri?
Not from the state. Cities and counties such as Kansas City and St. Louis set their own contractor and trade licensing rules.
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