Kansas Contractor License Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide

Kansas takes an unusual approach to contractor licensing. Unlike states with a centralized licensing board, Kansas does not require a state-level general contractor license. Instead, licensing is handled at the city and county level, meaning requirements vary significantly depending on where you work. A license that covers you in Johnson County will not automatically allow you to pull permits in Wichita or Topeka.

That said, Kansas does impose state-level requirements for certain specialized trades. Roofing contractors must register with the Kansas Attorney General's Office under the Kansas Roofing Registration Act. LP gas installers are licensed through the Kansas State Fire Marshal. And the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions licenses engineers, architects, surveyors, geologists, and landscape architects. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and general contracting work, you will need to obtain a license from each city or county jurisdiction where you perform work.

This guide covers everything you need to know: the state-level registrations that do exist, how local licensing works in the major Kansas jurisdictions, insurance and bonding requirements, exam details, and what happens if you work without proper credentials.

Kansas Licensing Structure Overview

Understanding Kansas contractor licensing starts with one critical fact: there is no statewide general contractor license. The state does not have a contractor licensing board equivalent to those found in Alabama, California, or Arizona. General contractors, building contractors, and most trade contractors are regulated entirely at the local level.

Here is how the system breaks down:

• General contractors, building contractors, residential contractors: Licensed by city or county
• Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians: Licensed by city or county, though the state legislature sets minimum standards for journeyman electricians under K.S.A. 12-1526
• Roofing contractors: Must register with the Kansas Attorney General (statewide)
• LP gas/propane installers: Licensed by the Kansas State Fire Marshal (statewide)
• Engineers, architects, surveyors, geologists: Licensed by the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (statewide)

All contractors, regardless of trade, must register their business entity with the Kansas Secretary of State (except sole proprietors and general partnerships, which are exempt). You must also register with the Kansas Department of Revenue for tax purposes.

State-Level Licenses and Registrations

Roofing Contractor Registration (Kansas Attorney General)

Since July 1, 2013, the Kansas Roofing Registration Act (K.S.A. 50-6,121 et seq.) has required every roofing contractor to obtain a registration certificate from the Kansas Attorney General's Office before providing roofing services for a fee anywhere in the state.

Registration requirements include:

• Certificate of general liability insurance of at least $500,000, listing the Kansas Attorney General as the certificate holder
• Certificate of workers' compensation insurance (or affidavit of exemption/self-insurance)
• Certificate of current tax clearance from the Kansas Department of Revenue
• Government-issued photo ID or driver's license
• $250 application fee

Renewal: Registration certificates expire on June 30 each year. The annual renewal fee is $250, due on or before July 1.

Exemptions from the roofing registration requirement include:

• Property owners performing roofing work on their own property
• General contractors who meet the qualifications set forth in K.S.A. 50-6,122(e)
• Contractors whose roofing work totals less than $2,000 per project per fiscal year (provided they do not advertise as roofing contractors)

LP Gas/Propane Installer License (Kansas State Fire Marshal)

The Kansas State Fire Marshal licenses LP gas operations under several classes. The most relevant for contractors is the Class 8 license for installation and service of LPG systems.

Class 8 license requirements:

• Completion of the basic principles and practices class
• Completion of at least one additional course: installing appliances and interior vapor distribution systems, designing and installing exterior vapor distribution systems, or systems testing training
• Courses must be CETP (Certified Employee Training Program) or PERC (Propane Education and Research Council) approved, or equivalent courses approved by the State Fire Marshal
• Proof of continuous general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000

Other LP gas license classes include Class 1 (retail distribution), Class 2 (bulk storage), Class 3 (cylinder transport), Class 4 (cylinder filling), Class 5 (recreational vehicle/mobile fuel filling), Class 6 (cylinder exchange cabinets), and Class 7 (self-serve dispensing). Application forms are available on the Fire Marshal's Forms page.

Kansas State Board of Technical Professions

The Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP) issues state licenses for professional engineers, architects, landscape architects, professional land surveyors, and professional geologists. All licensees must complete 30 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. You can verify a license through the KSBTP license search tool.

Local Contractor Licensing by Jurisdiction

Because Kansas handles most contractor licensing at the local level, you need to understand the requirements in each jurisdiction where you plan to work. Here are the major ones:

Johnson County (Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee)

Johnson County Contractor Licensing covers unincorporated Johnson County and most cities within it, including Overland Park and Olathe. This is one of the most comprehensive licensing systems in the state.

License classes: Class A (General), Class B (Building, up to 3 stories), Class C (Residential), Class DE (Electrical), Class DF (Fire Suppression), Class DFA (Fire Alarms), Class DM (Mechanical/HVAC), Class DP (Plumbing), Class DR (Roofing), Class DS (Swimming Pool), Class DW (Wood Framing).

Fees: $100 application fee + $225 per license type. Renewal is $225/year per license type. Late renewal fee of $75 per license type applies after February 1.

Requirements: Applicants must pass an ICC exam with a score of 75% or higher, or hold a bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction science, or construction management from an ABET or ACCE-accredited program. Fire protection licenses also accept NICET Level III/IV certifications. Insurance and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of State are required.

All licenses expire December 31 each year.

Sedgwick County / Wichita

The Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) administers licenses for unincorporated Sedgwick County, the City of Wichita, and small cities in its jurisdiction.

Requirements: Score of 75% or better on the Kansas Standard ICC exam. Certificate of general liability insurance of at least $300,000 with MABCD listed as the certificate holder. Workers' compensation certificate or a signed, notarized waiver.

Fees: $50 application fee, plus a license fee that varies by class. Applications are processed within approximately two weeks.

Contact: MABCD, 271 W. 3rd St., Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67202. Phone: (316) 660-1840. Fax: (316) 660-1810.

City of Topeka

The City of Topeka Development Services requires all contractors working within city limits to hold a Topeka contractor license.

Requirements: Pass an ICC exam with a score of 75% or higher. Submit proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.

Fees: $50 non-refundable fee for trade board review/Prometric exam packet. First-time license issuance is free. Retest fee is $20. Reinstatement fee of $30 applies after a 30-day grace period for lapsed insurance.

Renewal: All licenses must be renewed by December 14 each year. Class A, B, and C license holders must complete 8 hours of continuing education annually.

Contact: Development Services, 620 SE Madison, Topeka, KS 66607. Phone: (785) 368-3905.

City of Lawrence

The City of Lawrence requires contractor licenses for building and trade work within city limits. Trade contractors (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fireplace) must also have employees certified at the master or journeyman level.

Continuing education: 8 hours of approved construction-related CE annually, approved by the Building Official.

Other Jurisdictions

Many smaller cities and counties in Kansas also require contractor licensing. Some, like Wyandotte County (Kansas City, KS), require a general business license rather than a specialized contractor license. Always check with the local building department before starting work in a new jurisdiction.

Types of Contractor Licenses

While the specific license classifications vary by jurisdiction, most Kansas cities and counties follow a similar pattern modeled on the Johnson County system:

Trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) typically also distinguish between journeyman and master levels, with the master level required to pull permits and supervise work.

Licensing Requirements

Experience Requirements

Experience requirements are set by each local jurisdiction, but Kansas state statute establishes minimums for certain trades:

• Journeyman Electrician: At least 4,000 hours (approximately 2 years) of electrical trade experience under a licensed electrician, plus 240 hours of classroom instruction (per K.S.A. 12-1526)
• Master Electrician: At least 2 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
• Journeyman Plumber: 1 year of field experience plus 1 year of trade school, or 2 years of field experience
• Master Plumber: Journeyman-level credential history plus passage of an advanced examination
• HVAC Technician: 1 year of work experience plus 1 year of HVAC trade school, or 2 years of experience

For general contractor licenses (Classes A, B, C), most jurisdictions require either passing an ICC exam or holding a relevant bachelor's degree rather than specifying a minimum number of years of experience.

Education Requirements

Most Kansas jurisdictions accept one of the following in lieu of or in addition to trade experience:

• Passing score on the relevant ICC (International Code Council) exam
• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction science, or construction management from an ABET or ACCE-accredited program
• NICET Level III or IV certification (for fire protection and fire alarm licenses)

Background Checks

Kansas does not impose a statewide background check requirement for contractor licensing. Some local jurisdictions may require one as part of their application process. Check with your specific licensing authority.

Application Process

Because licensing is local, the application process differs by jurisdiction. Here is a general step-by-step that applies to most Kansas cities and counties:

1. Register your business with the Kansas Secretary of State (if applicable) and the Kansas Department of Revenue
2. If doing roofing work, register with the Kansas Attorney General's Office
3. Determine local requirements by contacting the building or licensing department in each jurisdiction where you plan to work
4. Pass the required exam(s) — typically an ICC exam with a minimum score of 75%
5. Obtain insurance — general liability (minimums vary by jurisdiction, typically $300,000 to $1,000,000) and workers' compensation (if required)
6. Submit your application with all required documentation: exam results, insurance certificates, Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing, government-issued ID, and applicable fees
7. Wait for processing — typically 5 to 14 business days depending on jurisdiction

Key Application Portals

Examination Requirements

Virtually every Kansas jurisdiction that requires contractor licensing uses ICC (International Code Council) exams as the qualifying examination. Some jurisdictions also accept Prometric-administered exams.

Exam Details

• Exam provider: International Code Council (ICC)
• Passing score: 75% or higher (standard across most Kansas jurisdictions)
• Exam format: Multiple choice, open-book (specific code books allowed)
• Exam types vary by license: General contractor exams cover the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and related codes. Trade exams cover the National Electrical Code (NEC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and others as applicable.

Common ICC Exams for Kansas Contractors

Exam scheduling: ICC exams can be scheduled through iccsafe.org. Some jurisdictions, like Topeka, require you to submit your application and trade board review fee before scheduling your exam. Exam fees are typically paid directly to ICC and generally range from $75 to $200 per exam.

Study Resources

ICC publishes study guides and practice exams for each exam category. Many Kansas contractors also use third-party prep courses from providers such as Contractor Training Center, ICC Learning Center, or local community college programs.

License Fees and Costs

Fees vary by jurisdiction. Here is a comparison of the major Kansas markets:

State-Level Fees

ICC exam fees typically range from $75 to $200 per exam, paid directly to ICC at the time of scheduling.

Insurance and Bond Requirements

General Liability Insurance

Every Kansas jurisdiction that issues contractor licenses requires proof of general liability insurance. The minimum coverage varies:

• Sedgwick County / Wichita: $300,000 minimum
• Johnson County: General liability required (minimum varies; submit ACORD form with county as certificate holder)
• Roofing Registration (statewide): $500,000 minimum, with the Kansas Attorney General listed as certificate holder
• LP Gas License (statewide): $1,000,000 minimum

Most jurisdictions require you to list the licensing authority as the certificate holder on your ACORD insurance certificate.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Under K.S.A. 44-505, Kansas employers with a gross annual payroll exceeding $20,000 must carry workers' compensation insurance. This applies to both full-time and part-time workers. Sole proprietors and partnerships can exclude owner/family wages from the payroll calculation, but corporate employers cannot.

If you are not required to carry workers' compensation, most jurisdictions will accept a signed and notarized workers' compensation waiver in lieu of a certificate of coverage.

Coverage can be obtained through a private commercial carrier, the Kansas Assigned Risk Pool (via NCCI), or self-insurance approved by the Kansas Department of Labor.

Surety Bonds

Kansas does not impose a statewide surety bond requirement for resident contractors. However:

• Non-resident (out-of-state) contractors must file a bond with the Kansas Department of Revenue before performing any contract over $10,000. Bond amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000, determined by the Department of Revenue.
• Some municipalities (including Kansas City, KS and Wichita) have local bonding requirements. Check with the specific jurisdiction.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

Renewal Schedules

Renewal deadlines vary by jurisdiction and license type:

• Johnson County: All licenses expire December 31. Late fee of $75/type after February 1.
• Topeka: Renewal due by December 14 each year.
• Roofing Registration: Expires June 30. Renewal due by July 1 each year.

Continuing Education Requirements

CE requirements vary significantly across Kansas jurisdictions. Here are the most common:

CE courses must typically be directly related to the construction industry and, in many jurisdictions, a portion must be code-related (covering updates to the IBC, IRC, NEC, IMC, IPC, or other applicable codes). Approved providers include ICC, local trade associations, community colleges, and online providers such as PACE PDH.

Reciprocity with Other States

Because Kansas does not have a centralized state contractor licensing system, there is no statewide reciprocity with other states for general contractor or trade licenses. Kansas is not a member of any NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) reciprocal agreement for general contractor licensing.

That said, some local jurisdictions may accept ICC exam scores earned for licensing in other jurisdictions. For example, if you passed an ICC exam to get licensed in Johnson County, you can typically use those same scores when applying in Sedgwick County or Topeka. Always confirm with the specific jurisdiction whether they will accept your existing exam results.

For state-level licenses:

• KSBTP (engineers, architects, surveyors): Accepts licensees from other states through comity/reciprocity applications, particularly those with NCEES records.
• Roofing registration: No reciprocity. All roofing contractors must register regardless of where they are licensed elsewhere.

How to Verify a Contractor's License

Verifying a Kansas contractor's credentials requires checking multiple sources since there is no single statewide database for all trades:

State-Level Verification

Local Verification

For general contractor, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other trade licenses, contact the licensing department in the jurisdiction where the work is being performed:

• Johnson County: Contractor Portal or call (913) 715-2200
• Sedgwick County: MABCD or call (316) 660-1840
• Topeka: Development Services or call (785) 368-3905

Roofing Registration Status Categories

When searching the Attorney General's roofing registration directory, you will see one of these statuses:

• In Good Standing: Registered and currently authorized to perform roofing services
• Revoked: Has not complied with registration requirements; not authorized to work
• Enjoined: A Kansas court has prohibited this contractor from performing roofing services
• Inactive: Registration has lapsed; contractor has informed the AG they will no longer provide roofing services

Penalties for Working Without a License

Penalties for unlicensed contractor work in Kansas come from two sources: state law (for roofing) and local ordinances (for everything else).

Roofing (State-Level Penalties)

Under the Kansas Roofing Registration Act (K.S.A. 50-6,123):

• Performing roofing services without registration is a violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (K.S.A. 50-623 et seq.)
• Civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
• Additional relief including restitution, investigative costs, and court costs
• Working with a suspended or revoked registration carries the same penalties

In one notable enforcement action, an unlicensed roofing contractor was ordered to pay over $60,000 in restitution, civil penalties, investigative expenses, and court costs for violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

Local Penalties (General Contracting and Trades)

Since general contractor and trade licensing is local, penalties vary by jurisdiction. Common consequences include:

• Fines that vary by city and county, with each day of unlicensed work potentially counting as a separate offense
• Work stoppages — building inspectors can shut down projects where unlicensed contractors are performing work
• Inability to pull permits — unlicensed contractors cannot legally obtain building permits
• Civil liability — consumers can pursue legal action for damages caused by unlicensed work
• Consumer protection violations — misrepresenting your licensing status can trigger Kansas Consumer Protection Act penalties

Non-Resident Contractor Penalties

Out-of-state contractors who fail to register and file a bond with the Kansas Department of Revenue before beginning work on contracts over $10,000 can be enjoined from performing the contract until all requirements are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kansas require a state contractor license?

No. Kansas does not have a state-level general contractor license. Licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. However, roofing contractors must register with the Kansas Attorney General, and LP gas installers must be licensed by the State Fire Marshal.

Do I need a separate license for every city I work in?

It depends. Some cities participate in county-level licensing systems (for example, Overland Park and Olathe fall under Johnson County's system). But if you work across different counties or in cities with their own licensing requirements, you will generally need a separate license for each jurisdiction. Always check before starting work in a new area.

What exam do I need to pass?

Most Kansas jurisdictions require an ICC (International Code Council) exam with a minimum passing score of 75%. The specific exam depends on your license type. General contractors typically take the IBC or IRC exam; trade contractors take the exam corresponding to their trade code (NEC for electrical, IPC for plumbing, IMC for mechanical).

How much does it cost to get licensed in Kansas?

Costs vary by jurisdiction. In Johnson County, expect to pay $325 ($100 application + $225 license fee) plus ICC exam fees ($75–$200). In Sedgwick County, the application fee is $50 plus a license fee that varies by class. You will also need to budget for insurance premiums, which depend on your trade and scope of work.

Do I need a license to do handyman work in Kansas?

It depends on the scope and jurisdiction. Most Kansas jurisdictions exempt minor repair work that does not require a building permit. However, any work involving electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems typically requires a licensed professional. Check with your local building department for specific thresholds.

I'm an out-of-state contractor. What do I need to work in Kansas?

You must register with the Kansas Department of Revenue and file a surety bond for any contract over $10,000. You will also need the appropriate local contractor license for each jurisdiction where you plan to work, along with state-level registrations for roofing or LP gas if applicable.

Conclusion

Kansas contractor licensing is decentralized, which means more legwork for contractors who work across multiple jurisdictions — but it also means that the path to getting licensed in any given area is straightforward. Pass the ICC exam, get your insurance in order, and apply to the local licensing authority.

The key state-level requirements to remember are: roofing registration through the Attorney General's Office, LP gas licensing through the State Fire Marshal, and the non-resident contractor bond requirement through the Department of Revenue for out-of-state contractors. For everything else, your local city or county building department is your starting point.

If you are looking for help marketing your contracting business in Kansas, contact Adapt Digital Solutions for a free strategy consultation.