Building Services
Contractor Licensing | City of Pittsburg, KS
Find out how to become a licensed contractor in Pittsburg, KS, whether you do minor handyman work, work in the trades, or build entire residential or commercial buildings.
Apply for a Contractor License
Use our Permitting & Licensing Portal to submit your application.
Types of Contractor Licenses
Cost per Year:
$150
Scope of Work:
Entitles the holder to construct, remodel, repair and/or demolish any structure.
Required Experience:
Applicants are required to have 7 or more years of experience; or shall have at least one (1) member of the company that holds a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or construction science from an accredited college or university. This degree shall count as three (3) years' experience.
Proof of Experience for Application:
Provide letters from previous employers with a detailed description of the work you performed and how long you worked there. Letters should be on their company letterhead, signed, dated, and include their contact information.
Degree Requirement (if applicable):
Degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Science from an accredited university. This degree shall count towards 3 years of experience.
Insurance Requirement:
General Liability: $500,000/$1,000,000 & Worker's Compensation (Required to list the City of Pittsburg as the certificate holder).
Cost per Year:
$100
Scope of Work:
Entitles the holder to construct, remodel, repair, and/or demolish all structures not exceeding three (3) stories in height. It shall also entitle the license holder to perform non-structural remodeling, tenant-finishing, and repairs of all structures.
Required Experience:
Applicants are required to have five (5) or more years of experience; or shall have at least one (1) member of the company that holds a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or construction science from an accredited college or university. This degree shall count as three (3) years' experience.
Proof of Experience for Application:
Provide letters from previous employers with a detailed description of the work you performed and how long you worked there. Letters should be on their company letterhead, signed, dated, and include their contact information.
Degree Requirement (if applicable):
Degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Science from an accredited university. This degree shall count towards 3 years of experience.
Insurance Requirement:
General Liability: $500,000/$1,000,000 & Worker's Compensation (Required to list the City of Pittsburg as the certificate holder).
Cost per Year:
$75
Scope of Work:
Entitles the holder to construct, remodel, repair, and/or demolish any single family or duplex residential structure and building accessory thereto.
Required Experience:
Applicants must have three (3) years of experience.
Proof of Experience for Application:
Provide letters from previous employers with a detailed description of the work you performed and how long you worked there. Letters should be on their company letterhead, signed, dated, and include their contact information.
Degree Requirement (if applicable):
Any Degrees you wish to include in application.
Insurance Requirement:
General Liability: $600,000 & Worker's Compensation (Required to list the City of Pittsburg as the certificate holder).
Cost per Year:
$75
Scope of Work:
Entitles the holder to perform HVAC, plumbing/sewer, fire sprinklers, or electrical services.
Required Experience:
Applicants must have three (3) years or more of experience.
Proof of Experience for Application:
Provide letters from previous employers with a detailed description of the work you performed and how long you worked there. Letters should be on their company letterhead, signed, dated, and include their contact information.
Required Master Tradesman:
Class D license holders shall be required to have a Master who holds a Certificate of Competency in their trade. This Master Tradesman shall hold a Trade License in the City of Pittsburg.
Change of Master Trade Card Holder:
The Class D license shall be valid only as long as the named Master remains in the employment of the licensed trade contractor in an active capacity. If the Master ceases, for any reason whatsoever, to be employed by the Class D license holder, the license holder must notify the department in writing within 30 days of such cessation. Failure to notify shall result in license suspension. To replace the Master, the licensee shall file an application designating another qualified individual as the new Master trade card holder for the company. (Sec. 18-385, City of Pittsburg Municipal Code)
Insurance Requirement:
General Liability: $300,000 & Worker's Compensation (Required to list the City of Pittsburg as the certificate holder).
Cost per Year:
$50
Scope of Work:
Landscaping/Mowing, Roofing (Requires a Kansas State Roofer's Registration), Concrete, Non-Structural Handyman, Dirt Work/Excavation, Signage, Painting, Demolition, Lawn Sprinkler Systems, Masonry, ect.
Insurance Requirement:
General Liability: $300,000 & Worker's Compensation (Required to list the City of Pittsburg as the certificate holder).
Cost per Year:
$16.50
Scope of Work:
Able to perform their trade (plumbing, electrical, or mechanical) under a Class D contractor that is licensed in the City of Pittsburg.
Test Scores:
75%+ on the Master Tradesman Exam
Required Continuing Education:
Every year, trade card holders are required to complete 6 hours of Continuing Education – 3 of which must be codes related.
For more electrician requirements:
For more plumber requirements:
For more mechanical requirements:
Cost per Year:
$16.50
Scope of Work:
Able to perform their trade (plumbing, electrical, or mechanical) under a Class D contractor that is licensed in the City of Pittsburg.
Test Scores:
75%+ on the Journeyman Exam
Required Continuing Education:
Every year, trade card holders are required to complete 6 hours of Continuing Education – 3 of which must be codes related.
For more electrician requirements:
For more plumber requirements:
For more mechanical requirements:
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about city services and how to reach us.
The Journeyman or Master Tradesman exam can be taken through the International Codes Council (ICC), Prometric (requires a sponsorship), or the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Tradesmen are required to test above a 75% in order to be licensed in Pittsburg, KS.
A proof of experience letter should be on company letterhead (have the company’s logo and information), contact information about the writer, and describe in detail what you did while working for that company (i.e. what type of structural work, trades work, etc. that you performed). The letter should also outline how long you worked for that company. You may provide multiple letters from different companies in order to meet the years of experience requirement. Please do not write your own letter from your own company, as it will not be accepted as valid proof of experience.
Licenses expire every year on December 31st. The deadline for renewal without a late fee is January 31st, with the first late fee applied in February and a second applied in March. Licenses can be renewed using the online Permitting & Licensing Portal, in-person at City Hall, or by sending your information through the mail.
Here are the steps to renew your license:
– Provide an updated Certificate of Insurance if your insurance has expired. (Make sure the City of Pittsburg is listed as the certificate holder).
– If you are a trade card holder, provide your certificates of the required 6 hours of Continuing Education (3 of which must be codes related).
– Make payment for your renewal (see cost per year in the above table).
We will then provide you with a copy of your renewed license and your receipt of payment.