Kansas does not license General Contractors at the state level. The only contractors who are required to obtain a license from the state are Water Well Drilling Contractors and Asbestos Abatement Contractors. Instead, General Contractors are licensed at the local level. Before a contractor may begin work on a construction project in the State of Kansas, they must first check with their local county or city regulations for licensing.
Some counties and cities in Kansas require General Contractors to pass a qualifying exam. Other areas ask contractors to prove a number of years of work experience, or go for continuing education. In most cases General Contractors are also required hold and maintain the proper forms of insurance.
Below are the rules and regulations for some of the larger cities in the State of Kansas.
Wichita, KS
Contractors in Wichita, Kansas are required to obtain a license from the Metropolitan Area Building & Construction Department. The Department offers the following license classifications for General Contractors:
- Class A General Contractors License – allows contractors to construct, build, repair, alter, add onto or demolish any building or structure. This license classification allows contractors to work on both commercial and residential buildings.
- Class B Building Contractor License – allows contractors to build, erect, remodel, add onto or demolish commercial buildings and single or multi-unit residential buildings that are 3 stories or less in height.
- Class C Residential Contractor- allows contractors to construct, repair, remodel or demolish one and two-family homes and accessory buildings.
*The Building & Construction Department also offers many different specialty contractor licenses, such as plumbing, electrical, sign and maintenance, etc.
For more information on contractor license classifications in Wichita, please visit the link below and click the “Licensing Application” tab:
http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/OCI/Pages/Licensing.aspx
To obtain a copy of the license application, please visit:
All contractors are required to choose a person within their company to pass a qualifying exam. The person that the contractor chooses is known as the “Qualifying Person.” Business owners and sole proprietors may act as their own qualifying person. Other people who may act as a qualifying person include:
- Owner of the Company
- Full-time employee who meets the Wichita/Sedgwick County Building and Trade Code requirements
*A full-time employee is defined as someone who works 30 or more hours per week.
For more information about the exam, please email:
The qualifying person must sign the contractor’s license application. Contractors are also required to submit proof of general liability insurance with their application, in the minimum amount of $300,000 per occurrence. If the contractor owns a vehicle for company-use and plans to employ workers, they must also submit proof of worker’s compensation and automobile liability insurance. All insurance providers must be licensed to do business in the State of Kansas.
If the contractor does not own a vehicle, OR if the contractor does not plan to employ workers, they must fill out and submit a waiver statement with their application. For a copy of the auto insurance and worker’s compensation waiver, please visit:
http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/OCI/OCIDocuments/Waivers.pdf
There is a $50 application fee for all new license applications.
The license fee depends on the jurisdiction in which the contractor plans to conduct business, and the license class the contractor is applying for. Contractors have the option of working within the City of Wichita or Sedgwick County, or both. Refer to the chart below to determine the license fee:
| License Classification | City Fee | County Fee |
| Class A General Contractor License | $800 | $300 |
| Class B Building Contractor License | $400 | $250 |
| Class C Residential Contractor License | $300 | $200 |
If the contractor chooses to be licensed in the city, but not the county, they are not allowed to conduct business outside city limits. If the contactor chooses to be licensed, in the county, but not the city, they are not allowed to conduct business within city limits.
Submit the completed license application, proof of insurance and fees by mail or in-person to:
Metropolitan Area Building & Construction Department
455 North Main
Wichita, KS 67202
Office hours for the Building & Construction Department are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
In addition to obtaining a license, contractors are also required to obtain the proper building permits for their project. For more information on about obtaining a building permit, please visit:
http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/OCI/Pages/Guide.aspx
Licenses are good for a period of 2 years in the City of Wichita, KS. All licenses expire on December 31st. Contractors have until January 31st to renew their license, and prove that their insurance is up-to-date, without facing a penalty.
For more information on obtaining contractor’s license in the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, please visit:
http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/OCI/Pages/Licensing.aspx
Contact the Metropolitan Area Building & Construction Department for further questions and concerns:
Kansas City, KS
In order to operate as a General Contractor in Kansas City, KS and Wyandotte County, individuals and businesses are required to obtain business license from the City License Administrator.
The Wyandotte County Business License Division regulates the construction industry in Kansas City by making sure that all businesses are in good standing with the city. The Division also sets requirements and standards that all contractors must meet to obtain a license. They also make sure that contractors pay their occupational taxes during the year.
Business licenses are renewed on a yearly basis.
For more information about requirements and the process of obtaining a business license in Kansas City, KS, please call the Business Licensing Division at:
(913)-573-8780
OR
Visit the Business Licensing Division at:
4953 State Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66102
In addition to holding a business license, contractors are also required to obtain the proper building permits for their project. Building Permits are issued by the Chief Building Inspector. For more information, please visit:
http://www.wycokck.org/InternetDept.aspx?id=19766&menu_id=1014&banner=15284
Overland Park, KS
The Johnson County Contractor Licensing Department regulates the construction industry in Overland Park, KS by requiring all General Contractors to obtain a license. The Licensing Department is responsible for creating the standards and regulations that protect the public when they hire a contractor in the City of Overland Park.
The Johnson County Contractor Licensing Department offers the following license classifications:
- Class A General Contractor – allows contractors to construct, repair or demolish any building or structure, including residential or commercial.
- Class B Building Contractor- allows contractors to construct repair or demolish any residential or commercial building or structure that is 3 stories or less in height
- Class C Residential Contractor- allows contractors to work on any single-family or duplex residence and accessory buildings
*The Licensing Department also offers other specialty license classes. Class A, B and C licenses are not allowed to perform electrical, plumbing, fire protection or HVAC work.
For a copy of the license application, click the link below, read the instructions and follow the blue link that reads, “License Application Packet.”
http://www.jocogov.org/dept/planning-and-codes/cls/license-resources/how-apply
All license classes are required to choose a person within their company to represent the business as a qualifying individual. Sole Proprietors and business owners may act as their own qualifying individual. Otherwise, the company may choose a full-time employee who works 30 or more hours per week and receives a W2.
The qualifying individual must meet one of the following requirements:
- Pass a qualifying exam through an approved testing administrator. The exam must be passed with a score of 75% or higher. For more information on taking the exam and finding a test administrator, contact the licensing staff at:
(913)-715-2233
OR
Visit:
http://www.jocogov.org/dept/planning-and-codes/cls/license-resources/tests-and-sponsorship
- Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture, Construction Science or Engineering from an accredited university. Copies of the qualifying individual’s degree or official transcripts are needed as proof. The Construction Licensing Board does not count a degree in Construction Management or Landscape Architecture toward the requirement
The qualifying individual OR the contractor must be able to prove that they have 5 years of experience in the field of general, building or residential contracting.
All contractors are also required to obtain general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. All insurance policies must be with a company licensed to conduct business in the State of Kansas. If the contractor does not plan to employ workers, they must fill out a worker’s compensation waiver.
*All forms of insurance must be current and up to date at all times for the contractor’s license to remain active.
All corporate business types are required to register with the Kansas Secretary of State and submit a certificate of good standing along with their license application. For more information, contact the Kansas Secretary of State:
Be sure to include the following with the completed license application:
- $100 application fee and $225 license fee (license fees are the same for a Class A, B and C license)
- Proof of general liability and worker’s compensation insurance
- Qualifying Individual’s exam scores or proof of education
- Digital photo of the Qualifying Individual (for the license card) in .JPG format on CD, DVD or flash drive. The Qualifying Individual may also send their digital photo by email to:
- Copy of a government-issued photo ID for the contractor/business owner
- Documented proof that the contractor or the Qualifying Individual has 5 or more years of experience as a general, building or residential contractor
- Certificate of good-standing from the Kansas Secretary of State if the contractor’s business is incorporated
All completed applications, documents and fee are to be submitted by-mail or in-person to:
Johnson County Contractors Licensing Board
111 S. Cherry
Suite 1000
Olathe, KS 66061
Once licensed, all contractors are required to participate in continuing education to improve their knowledge of building code in Overland Park and Johnson County. For more information on continuing education, please visit:
http://www.jocogov.org/dept/planning-and-codes/cls/education-and-classes
For more information about obtaining a General Contractor License in the City of Overland Park, KS, contact the Contractors Licensing Board at:
(913)-715-2233
OR
Visit:
http://www.jocogov.org/dept/planning-and-codes/cls/license-resources/how-apply
Topeka, KS
Before a contractor begins work on a construction project in the City of Topeka, Kansas, they must hold a license and have the proper building permits. Permits and licenses are issued by the Topeka Development Services Division.
For a copy of the license application, please visit:
https://www.topeka.org/pdfs/G1_General_Contractor_License_Application.pdf
The Development Services Division offers many different license classifications. The fee for obtaining a license depends on the classification chosen, including:
- Residential Contractor- $203
- General Contractor I- $253
- General Contractor II- $453
All contractors must choose a person within their company to act as a qualifying party; to represent the business and meet the requirements. If the contractor is a sole proprietor or business owner, they may act as their own qualifying party. The qualifying party is also responsible for attending 8 hours of continuing education each year.
Along with the application, contractors are required to provide a current Certificate of Insurance. Contractors must keep their insurance current and up to date for their license to remain active.
All completed applications, documents and fees are to be sent by-mail or in-person to:
Topeka Development Services Division
620 SE Madison
Unit 6
Topeka, KS 66607-1118
Once licensed, contractors need to hold the proper permits for their projects. For more information on obtaining a permit, please visit:
http://www.topeka.org/publicworks/permits_inspections.shtml
For more information on General Contractor Licensing in the City of Topeka, KS, please visit:
http://www.topeka.org/publicworks/cont_lic_info.shtml
OR
Call the Development Service Division at:
(785)-368-3905