Most states use licensing procedures for certain professions like real estate and medicine. These regulations protect residents against fraud and lack of experience.  

The same goes for obtaining a contractor's license. Depending on the state you are in the rules and regulations surrounding contractor's certifications vary. 

In some states, obtaining a contractor's license is difficult and requires you to jump through a lot of hoops. On the other hand, some states maintain relatively lax requirements. 

Wherever you plan on getting your certification, being prepared for the exam and collecting all of your supplemental materials are essential if you want to have a smooth experience. 

At Contractor Training Center, our mission is to help you prepare for the contractor's license exam in your state. Our prep courses set you up not only for passing the exams successfully but also for a long future of working in this business. 

To become licensed in the state of Kansas, you must acquire certification at the local level through your city, county, or jurisdiction. 

Kansas does not require licenses for general contractors at a state level (except for asbestos abatement & water well drilling). Therefore, you must meet specific local requirements, supply the necessary documentation, and pay any local fees. 

Any non-resident contractors and subcontractors have to register with the Department of Revenue if contracts exceed $10,000. Authorized corporations in Kansas do not need to register contracts. 

To complete registration, you can contact the Director of Taxation Registration at the Kansas Department of Revenue. Additionally, you should contact your local municipality or county.

Why you should get a Contractor's license in Kansas

A contractor's license offers several benefits that ultimately help bolster your success as a contractor.

Gives You Credibility

Having a license increases your credibility, allowing you to build trust with your clients. There are other ways you can gain their trust, but this is a big part of establishing yourself and your business, especially if you're working with new customers.

Getting a contractor's license isn't done overnight, and the process of obtaining a license can be considered a significant investment. Customers often feel at ease knowing a contractor has invested their own time and money working to back up their skills with a license to prove it.

Gives You A Higher Earning Potential

Consequently, there are larger projects that you can't perform without a contractor's license. With one, you can take on big assignments, get more jobs, and increase your profit. More times than not, clients will pay a higher price to a licensed contractor as opposed to unlicensed handymen.

With a license, your clients can trust that you have the knowledge and skills to do what they need. It’s an assurance that you’ll follow all applicable laws and regulations. You can build a relationship with your customers and establish trust in other ways, of course. However, a licensed contractor will stand out far more and attract customers easier.

Additionally, many states legally require businesses to hold a contractor's license to work on projects over a certain financial threshold. If you take the initiative and earn your license now, you can get more business, increase profits, and take on more significant assignments right away. Clients will typically pay a higher fee for licensed contractors because they can trust that the contractor knows what to do and how to do it well.

Contractor Training Center operates with industry leaders who have extensive construction and business experience. Our students learn from experts who have a comprehensive knowledge of contractor licensing. 

We use a live, online learning model so you can get the benefits of an interactive learning experience without having to leave your home or office. 

When you take one of our courses, you gain access to our application assistance services. With our services, you can be confident in the quality and correctness of your applications. This assistance will save you time and money. 

With a pass rate of 98%, we're confident our self-study programs can help you succeed. Our exam prep will give you the guidance and clarity you need to thrive as a general contractor. 

If you do not pass the exam on your first try, we'll create a custom study plan tailored to your learning style. This new plan will address any problem areas so that you can shift your focus to the material you may not have understood the first time around. 

We're confident that we can meet all of your expectations and even surpass them. We offer a no-fail guarantee so that you can place your trust in us.  If our courses do not prevent you from failing your exam after several attempts, you can take our classes for free until you do pass. 

If you've decided that you want to pursue a contractor's license, there are specific steps you need to take. Contractor Training Center can help you through the entire process. 

Just take a look at our blog on how you can become a licensed contractor in Kansas to learn all about the process.

1. Contact your city or county clerk 

Since the state of Kansas doesn't handle licensing directly, you must accomplish this step at a local level. Even though there aren't any statewide licensing requirements, there are still county or city requirements. 

For example, to work in Overland, KS, as a contractor, you'll need to register with the Johnson County Contractor Licensing Search System. Through this system, clients can verify your status as a contractor using a name, address, or license type. 

In Wichita, you'll need to obtain a license from the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department. The agency's Permits and Neighborhood Code Violation Reporting online portal lets users verify a contractor, business permit, or building. 

To work as a GC in Kansas City and Wyandotte County, you must hold a business license from the City License Administrator. 

If you are unsure about what the process is in your city or county, contact the city or county clerk. Application fees, bond amounts, required insurance variability, and experience requirements vary between cities and counties. 

2. Create a business entity

If you're pursuing your contractor's license, it's likely that you want to make general contracting your full-time profession. If this is the case, you want to create a business entity to establish legitimacy. 

You can find out if the name you've chosen for your company is available or already in use by someone else through the Kansas Entity Search.

3. Register your business 

Registering your business is necessary to ensure that your company pays the taxes required and adheres to local and state laws. 

You can find the forms you need to register a new company at the Kansas Department of Revenue website. 

To register your company, you will need to contact the Kansas Secretary of State, located at:

Kansas Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, First Floor 120 S. W. 10th Ave
Topeka, KS 66612-1594 

You also should contact the local municipality or county. As mentioned above, different counties and cities have different regulatory bodies that oversee construction in Kansas. 

4. Decide what type of license your business needs

The exam and type of license you will apply for depends on the type of work you plan to do and your professional goals. The International Code Council administers these exams. You can find out more information about the content of the exams through their bulletin. 

5. Identify a qualified individual

Every contractor must select one individual from their company to pass a qualifying exam. This individual operates as the "Qualifying Person." 

Sole proprietors and business owners can choose to be their own qualifying person. The qualifying person can also be a company owner or full-time employee (someone who works 30+ hours weekly).

The qualifying person is required to meet at least one of two requirements:

1. Pass a required exam through an approved administrator. They must receive a score of 75% or higher.
2. Have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Science, Architecture, or Engineering from an accredited university. The qualifying person must provide their official transcripts or a copy of their degree.

This person must also prove that they have at least five years of experience as a general, building, or residential contractor. 

They also will need to obtain general liability and worker's compensation insurance. The policy must be with a licensed company. 

If you are obtaining the license, and you do not plan to hire any employees, you must sign a worker's compensation waiver. 

6. Take the exam 

Depending on where you are in Kansas, requirements may vary. For Wichita, your license will be under the purview of the Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department. 

This license requires you to register for a business license, appoint a qualified individual, present a certificate of good standing, present a notarized certificate of insurance, and pay all application and licensing fees: 

• $50 application fee
• $1000 for two years (A)
• $600 for two years (B)
• $450 for two years (C)