How to become an electrician in Missouri

The path in Missouri, step by step

There is no state electrical license in Missouri. You do not need the statewide license if you only work where you already hold a local license or where no license is required. Cities and counties still issue permits and inspect work, and may still require a business license. They cannot make a statewide license holder pass another local trade exam. The training is the same as anywhere: learn the trade under someone experienced, ideally in a registered apprenticeship.

1. Decide if you want it. It is optional and helps if you work in many cities or counties.
2. Document your hours: 12,000, or fewer with a journeyman certificate or a degree.
3. Pass an approved exam such as ICC, Prov, NASCLA or PSI, if you have not already passed one.
4. Get $500,000 of liability insurance and post any local bonds.
5. Apply through MOPRO and pay the $200 fee.
6. Renew every three years.

The full license guide, with every fee and form: electrical license in Missouri.

Finding an apprenticeship in Missouri

Missouri has no recognized State Apprenticeship Agency, so the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship registers and oversees programs there through a state field office. Apprenticeship.gov lists the Missouri Apprenticeship Office as the contact.

Either way, a registered program means paid work with a mentor, raises as you progress, classroom instruction and a credential recognized in every state. Search open spots in the Apprenticeship Job Finder.

Across the country. Most electricians learn the trade in a 4 or 5 year apprenticeship. Each year brings about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus some classroom instruction.

Licenses and exams around Missouri

The license to aim for: Statewide Electrical Contractor License (optional).

Trade exam. A standardized, nationally accredited electrical exam approved by the office, such as ICC Electrical Contractor or Master Electrician, Prov, NASCLA or PSI exams. You pay for the exam.

Keeping it. Every three years. Licenses expire September 30 of every third year.

Coming from another state. The statute has no reciprocity language. A test you passed and hours you verified elsewhere may still count toward the requirements.

What the Missouri license costs

The fees the Missouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors lists. Exam fees from a testing company, insurance and any bond come on top.

What electricians earn in Missouri

The median electrician in Missouri earned $31.45 an hour in May 2025, 25th of 51 states, with 12,780 on payrolls. The national median was $30.38.

At the bottom of the range, a quarter of electricians in Missouri earned under $23.95 an hour and a tenth under $21.09. At the top, a quarter earned over $45.08 and a tenth over $50.03.

Every state, the neighbors and what a business should charge: electrician salary in Missouri.

Jobs ahead in Missouri

Missouri's labor market office projects jobs for electricians growing from 13,020 in 2022 to 14,070 in 2032, a change of 8.1%. Counting people who retire or change careers, that is about 1,290 openings a year.

Jobs are projected to grow 8.1% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the 6.5% projected nationally, ranking 40th of the 50 states in the file.

These are the state's own long-term projections, published together on Projections Central for the occupation group electricians.

Starting your own electrician business in Missouri

Insurance. Liability insurance of $500,000.

Bond. No state bond. Post the bond each city or county requires where you work, and give the state proof of it.

You do not need the statewide license if you only work where you already hold a local license or where no license is required. Cities and counties still issue permits and inspect work, and may still require a business license. They cannot make a statewide license holder pass another local trade exam.

Pricing comes next. Paying yourself the Missouri median of $31.45 an hour, the labor rate calculator's starting numbers (one person, 2 unbilled hours a day, $90,000 of overhead, 15% profit) come to $125.82 per billable hour. Try your own in the electrician labor rate calculator.

The full checklist is in how to start an electrical business. The free Koira Office plan gives you a website on a Koira address, estimates customers sign with a deposit, invoices with card payments and your day's jobs in one place, with no per-person fee. See the plans.