Kansas plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Kansas plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (MABCD), how to check one online, the license types, and 985 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Kansas?
| Who licenses them | local (city/county); no state plumbing license. Examples: Johnson County Contractor Licensing (Class DP Plumbing Contractor); Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) |
|---|---|
| License types | Plumbing Contractor, Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber |
| When a license is required | None at state level; local rules vary |
Kansas has no state plumbing license. Cities and counties that license plumbers must use the state-designated ICC, IAPMO or Prometric exams (K.S.A. 12-1508/12-1509), and a passed standard exam counts toward licensure in other Kansas jurisdictions. Check your city or county, such as Johnson County or Wichita's MABCD.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Kansas?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Kansas plumbing license lookup run by MABCD.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact MABCD.
What plumbing licenses does Kansas issue?
- Plumbing Contractor
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
How do you get a plumbing license in Kansas?
Licenses are issued by the local (city/county); no state plumbing license. Examples: Johnson County Contractor Licensing (Class DP Plumbing Contractor); Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official MABCD source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Kansas city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in Kansas?
The Census Bureau counted 985 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Kansas in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Johnson County | 181 |
|---|---|
| Sedgwick County | 170 |
| Shawnee County | 49 |
| Wyandotte County | 47 |
| Douglas County | 37 |
| Leavenworth County | 32 |
| Saline County | 28 |
| Butler County | 28 |
What do Kansas homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Kansas was built in 1975, 33% of households rent and 77% of homes are single-family houses. 63% of homes heat with utility gas and 26% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Kansas?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Kansas licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.