Construction / Plumber License / Kansas
- Kansas
- Plumber License
- Journeyman & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Kansas Plumber License
Kansas doesn’t issue a state plumbing license. This page covers how journeyman and master plumbers get licensed locally, using Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Douglas County rules and the ICC Standard Plumber with Gas exams most of them require.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Douglas County licensing requirements
Application fee
$100
Johnson County; plus $225 license and $115 ICC exam. Other counties vary
Exam time
4 hrs
Master KGF; journeyman KGR is 3 hrs
Time to get license
~2 yrs
Journeyman field experience in Douglas County
Continuing ed
Varies
Hours and topics set locally
Overview
Do you need a Kansas plumber license?
Yes, but not from the state. Kansas leaves plumber licensing to cities, counties and other local jurisdictions, so you apply wherever you plan to work. Most of the larger counties require a passing score on an ICC Standard Plumber with Gas exam.
License required when
- You do plumbing work in a city or county that licenses plumbers
- You work as a journeyman for a plumbing contractor
- You design or install plumbing systems or supervise other plumbers as a master
- You run a plumbing contracting firm (Johnson County’s Class DP license, for example)
Common exceptions
- There is no statewide license, so requirements depend on the local jurisdiction
- Many Kansas counties have reciprocity with each other, so one local license may be accepted elsewhere
Working without a license
Our source doesn’t list specific penalties. Local licensing offices can generally refuse permits, stop work and discipline license holders, so get licensed with the city or county before you start a job there.
Your fast-track Kansas plumber license checklist
The Kansas application, one page
- Your local licensing office’s application
- Passing ICC score (75% on KGF or KGR)
- Proof of field or journeyman experience
- General liability certificate
- Workers’ comp certificate
- Local license and application fees
Types
Kansas plumber license types and classifications
Local jurisdictions in Kansas generally license plumbers at two levels, and the ICC exam code tells you which one you’re testing for.
KGR
Start here
Journeyman Plumber
Works at the plumbing trade as an employee of a plumbing contractor after passing the journeyman exam.
Exam
ICC KGR Standard Journeyman Plumber with Gas
Limit
Works for a contractor
KGF
Supervise
Master Plumber
Works for a plumbing contractor, designs and installs plumbing systems, and may supervise other plumbers.
Exam
ICC KGF Standard Master Plumber with Gas
Limit
Set locally
DP
Johnson County
Plumbing Contractor
Johnson County’s Class DP license for plumbing firms, with a qualified person who passed the KGF exam or holds an accredited degree.
Exam
ICC KGF or approved degree
Limit
Set locally
Requirements
Kansas plumber license requirements, class by class
Each county sets its own rules. Here’s how the master requirements compare in the four counties our source covers.
| Requirement | Johnson County | Sedgwick County | Douglas County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master exam | 75% on ICC KGF, or an accredited degree | 75% on ICC KGF | 75% on ICC KGF |
| Journeyman exam | Not stated | 75% on ICC KGR | 75% on ICC KGR |
| Master experience | 2 years as a journeyman or 4 years in the field | Not stated | 4 years in the field or 2 years as a journeyman |
| Journeyman experience | Not stated | Not stated | 2 years in the field |
| General liability | Required | At least $300,000 | Not stated |
| Workers’ comp | Required | Required | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Kansas plumber license, step by step
- Find your local licensing officeBefore you start
Licenses are issued by the city, county or jurisdiction where you work, so check that office’s rules first. - Get your experienceBefore you apply
Douglas County, for example, asks for 2 years in the field for journeyman, and 4 years in the field or 2 years as a journeyman for master. - Schedule your ICC examExam booking
Book the KGR or KGF exam with Pearson VUE or call 877-234-6082. Each exam costs $115. Test centers are in larger cities across the state. - Pass with 75% or betterExam day
The master KGF exam is 100 questions in 4 hours. The journeyman KGR exam is 70 questions in 3 hours. Both are open book. - Line up your insuranceBefore you apply
Most counties want certificates for general liability and workers’ comp. Sedgwick County requires at least $300,000 in general liability. - Apply locallyFees vary
Submit your application, exam results, insurance certificates and any local forms, and pay the local license and application fees. Johnson County charges $100 to apply plus $225 per license, and Sedgwick County charges $360 for a 2-year plumbing license.
Exam
What to expect on the Kansas plumber exam
Kansas counties use the ICC Standard Plumber with Gas exams, given by Pearson VUE. Both are open book, so you can tab and highlight the approved code books.
Format
Open book
Questions
100 (KGF) / 70 (KGR)
Passing score
75%
Exam vendor
Pearson VUE (ICC)
Scoring & content
- KGF master: 100 questions, 4 hours, 75% to pass
- KGR journeyman: 70 questions, 3 hours, 75% required by local boards
- Topics: administration, fixtures, water supply, sanitary drainage, vents, traps and interceptors, storm drainage and gas piping
- References: 2018 International Plumbing Code and 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
Retake policy
- Retake rules: Not stated
- Schedule and reschedule through Pearson VUE at 877-234-6082
- Check your county’s rules on how recent your score must be
Exam references · Open book
The ICC Kansas Standard Journeyman (KGR) and Master (KGF) Plumber with Gas exams are open book. You can tab and highlight the approved references below and use them during the test.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Kansas plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Kansas plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (Johnson County, new licenses) | Fixed | $100 |
| Class DP plumbing contractor license (Johnson County) | Fixed | $225 |
| Plumbing license, 2 years (Sedgwick County) | Fixed | $360 |
| ICC exam (KGF or KGR) | Fixed | $115 |
| 2018 IPC and IFGC code books | Variable | Varies |
| General liability insurance | Variable | Varies |
| Workers’ comp insurance | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes code books and insurance; other counties set their own fees | $440 in Johnson County ($100 + $225 + $115 exam) |
Exam fee from the ICC State of Kansas Contractor/Trades bulletin (Pearson VUE, published August 20, 2026); local fees from the Johnson County licensing fee schedule and Sedgwick County MABCD Fee Table A, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Kansas accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Because licensing is local, reciprocity is too. Many Kansas counties accept each other’s licenses, but each jurisdiction decides which ones.
Kansas counties — local license recognition
Many counties have reciprocity agreements with each other. Contact your local city, county or jurisdiction to see where your license is accepted.
Other states — no statewide agreement
Kansas has no state plumbing license, so there’s no state-level reciprocity. Apply with the local office where you plan to work.
Local
Do Kansas cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
In Kansas, the local jurisdiction does almost everything: licensing, insurance checks, renewals and continuing education.
State handles
- No state plumbing license
- Licensing is left to local jurisdictions
City & county handle
- Journeyman, master and contractor licenses
- Insurance requirements
- Continuing education hours and topics
- Reciprocity with other counties
- Permits and inspections
Johnson County
Contractor Licensing
- Class DP plumbing contractor license with application and license fees
- Proof of general liability and workers’ comp
- Qualified person: 75% on ICC KGF, or a BS in architecture, engineering, construction science or construction management from an ABET or ACCE program
- 2 years with a journeyman certificate or 4 years of field experience
- Corporate entities show proof of good standing
- Johnson County Class DP license
Sedgwick County
MABCD
- Complete both sides of the contractor application, signed by the qualified person and owners
- General liability of at least $300,000
- Workers’ comp certificate
- 75% on ICC KGF (master) or KGR (journeyman)
- Sedgwick County contractor license
Shawnee County / Topeka
Development Services
- Journeyman or master trade application
- Master verification form and Renovate Right form
- General liability and workers’ comp certificates
- Proof of passing ICC KGF (master) or KGR (journeyman)
- Topeka trade contractor info
Douglas County / Lawrence
Contractor Licensing
- Master: 75% on ICC KGF plus 4 years in the field or 2 years as a journeyman
- Journeyman: 75% on ICC KGR plus 2 years in the field
- Lawrence contractor licensing
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Kansas
Licensing authority
Local city and county licensing offices
No statewide plumbing board
Exams: Pearson VUE for ICC, 877-234-6082
Oversight responsibilities
- Issue journeyman, master and contractor licenses
- Check exam results, experience and insurance
- Set continuing education and renewal rules
- Decide which other counties’ licenses to accept
Maintenance
How to renew your Kansas plumber license and keep it active
Renewal rules come from your local licensing office. Most counties require continuing education, but the hours and topics vary.
Renewal cycle
Varies by county
CE hours
Varies by county
Renewal fee
$225 (Johnson County)
Late penalty
$75 (Johnson County)
Renewing your license?
See the Kansas CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Kansas plumber license FAQs
Does Kansas have a state plumbing license?
No. Kansas plumbers are licensed by their city, county or local jurisdiction, not the state.
What exam do Kansas plumbers take?
Most counties use the ICC Standard Plumber with Gas exams: KGF for master and KGR for journeyman. You schedule them through Pearson VUE.
What score do I need to pass?
75%. The master KGF exam has 100 questions in 4 hours, and the journeyman KGR exam has 70 questions in 3 hours.
Is the Kansas plumbing exam open book?
Yes. You can use the approved references, including the 2018 International Plumbing Code and 2018 International Fuel Gas Code.
How much experience do I need for a master plumber license?
It depends on the county. Johnson and Douglas counties accept 2 years as a journeyman or 4 years of field experience.
Is my plumbing license good in other Kansas counties?
Often, yes. Many counties have reciprocity with each other, but check with the local office where you want to work.
Do Kansas plumbers need continuing education?
Most counties require it to renew, but the hours and topics vary. Check with your local licensing office.
Sources
Official sources for the Kansas plumber license
- Johnson County, Class DP Plumbing Contractor License
- Sedgwick County MABCD, Building Contractor License
- City of Topeka, Trade Contractors Info
- City of Lawrence, Contractor Licensing
- Pearson VUE, ICC license exams
- ICC, State of Kansas Contractor/Trades Examination Bulletin
- Johnson County, New License & License Types (licensing fees)
- Sedgwick County MABCD, License Fees Table A
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any Kansas city or county licensing office or the International Code Council.