Codes Division

Contractor Licensing Program County-Wide

On this page:

• Program Development
• The Program
• Classes of Licenses
• Contractor’s License
• Review Board
• Provisions
• Benefits to the Public

At the April 24, 2000 City Council meeting, Council approved the concept of the County-Wide Contractor's Licensing Program.

Key Points

Program Development

Johnson County Building Officials Association (JOCOBO) started development in February of 1998.  Contractor Licensing Subcommittee members included representatives from:

• Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings
• Home Builders Association & The Builders Association.
• Johnson County legal staff.
• JOCOBO members.

The Program

• Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC contractors, and Builders would be required to be licensed by the County to do work requiring a permit in Johnson County cities.
• Licensed Building Contractors would be required to use licensed subcontractors.
• Licensed Contractors would be required to maintain insurance.
• Continuing education would be required to maintain a license.
• A Contractor License Review Board would be established.
• County would administer the licensing program.
• Licenses would be renewed annually.
• Licensee could be an individual or a corporation.
• Four classes of licenses are established.

The Four Classes of Licenses

1. Class A - General Contractor (build anything)
2. Class B - Building Contractor (build anything three stories or less in height)
3. Class C - Residential Contractor (build any one or two family dwelling)
4. Class D - Mechanical, Plumbing or Electrical Contractor

How to obtain a Contractor License

• Pay a one time $100.00 application fee and a $200.00 annual fee.
• Verify no prior history of license discipline.
• Pass a nationally recognized test for the license class, or
• Have an employee with a B.S. in engineering, architecture, or construction science.

Contractor License Review Board

• Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
• Nine members (5 contractors, 2 Building Officials, 1 Architect/engineer and 1 citizen)
• Has the authority to administer provisions of the licensing regulations.
• Has the authority to discipline contractors for uncorrected code violations.

Miscellaneous Provisions

• Homeowners doing work on their own home are exempt from the Licensing Regulations.
• Contractors who follow plans prepared by a KS registered architect or engineer would be exempt from discipline related to associated code violations.

Benefits to the Public

• Minimum levels of building code knowledge for contractors would be established.
• Minimum levels of insurance for contractors would be established.
• A mechanism to discipline problem contractors would be established.
• Problem contractors could be denied building permits.
• Provisions for requiring continuing education would be established.

The City of Shawnee will continue to look into the pros and cons of this issue.  The City Council also directed staff to review adjacent cities as a basis for evaluating contractor licensing requirements.  If you have questions or comments about this program please call (913) 631-2500 x 294.