City of St. Louis Electrical Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

The City of St. Louis licenses its own electrical contractors, communications contractors, limited elevator electrical contractors and industrial-maintenance electricians through the Committee of Electrical Examiners, under the city's Electrical Code (Ordinance 70802, the 2017 National Electrical Code as the city amended it). Each of those licenses is renewed every year for $150. Electrical and industrial-maintenance license holders also show proof of at least 0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours of continuing education (or the equivalent) on the changes in the current Electrical Code when they renew. Electrical, limited elevator and communications contractors: keep the $25,000 bond from lapsing, because the code says a lapse means re-applying and testing again.

At a glance

Who needs a license: The Committee of Electrical Examiners grants Electrical Contractor, Communications Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor and Industrial-Maintenance Electrician licenses. Under the code, no one may do work it covers until they hold the license, have made the deposit and furnished the bond, and have paid all current permit fees. A contractor's employees must be licensed as journeyman or apprentice electricians; this guide doesn't cover those licenses
Electrical permits: For contractors, issued to licensed electrical contractors certified by the City of St. Louis (single-family homeowners who meet certain conditions can get one too): the Building Division's permit page asks for an Electrical Contractor's license issued by the City of St. Louis Building Division and a registered trades contractor account on the STL City Permits website
Renews every: Year: the code says each holder of an Electrical Contractor, Communications Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor or Industrial-Maintenance Electrician license renews it annually. Ordinance 70802 doesn't name the renewal date, so go by your license and confirm it with the Electrical Section
Fee: $150 a year to renew each of the four licenses (the code's Table 80.21.8)
Continuing education: Electrical or Industrial-Maintenance License holders provide proof of continuing education, or the equivalent, on the changes in the current adopted Electrical Code at the time of renewal: a minimum of 0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours. The code doesn't define which licenses "Electrical License" covers (the limited elevator electrical contractor license may be one) and names no hours for communications contractors; ask the Electrical Section whether yours needs CE
Bond: Before their application is accepted, applicants for an Electrical Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor or Communications Contractor license file a $25,000 indemnifying bond naming the City of Saint Louis, written by a person, firm or corporation authorized to do business in Missouri and approved by the Comptroller. Any lapse requires re-application to the Board of Electrical Examiners with the proper fees, and retesting
Insurance: Applicants for the same three licenses also file a certificate of liability insurance for $1,000,000 with the Electrical Inspection Section (the code calls it a Certificate of Limited Liability). The code doesn't say whether it is filed again at renewal; ask the Electrical Section
Running the business: The license holder must be a full-time (at least 40 hours a week) employee of one company only; keep an established street-addressed place of business with the occupancy permits it needs; have someone there to take calls Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (legal holidays excluded) and a licensed answering service at other times; and mark every service vehicle with the business's name, address and phone number in letters at least 3 inches tall
City business license: The License Collector issues annual business licenses to electrical contractors, communications contractors, limited elevator electrical contractors and industrial-maintenance electricians when they submit the license the Committee of Electrical Examiners issued
Revocation: After a public hearing, the Committee can revoke a license for reasons including being in arrears on City of Saint Louis tax levies, electrical permit fees, business license fees or indemnifying bonds, or the license holder not being a full-time employee (at least 40 hours) of the contracting firm. The License Collector then revokes the business license
Inactive status: Tell the code official in writing the date you want your license inactive, after every open permit has passed a final inspection and all permit fees are paid. The inactive fee is $25. To reactivate, submit documentation of your work experience for the last three years (such as W-2s) and proof of continuing education in the current adopted Electrical Code
Company name change: Notify the Electrical Inspection Office and pay the license renewal fee. All open permits must pass a final inspection and all permit fees must be paid before the name change
Late renewal: Ordinance 70802 sets no grace period or late fee for a license renewed after it expires. Ask the Electrical Section before your renewal date what a late renewal means for your license
Penalties: Violating the code, or a permit or license issued under it, can bring a fine of up to $500 on conviction, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense. The code also allows jail time: section 80.15.4 says up to 30 days, the ordinance's Section Four penalty clause up to 90
Contact: The Committee of Electrical Examiners page lists City Hall, Room 426, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, phone (314) 622-3313, email dps-building-division@stlouis-mo.gov. Walk-in electrical permits are at the Building Division's Mechanical Section, Room 425, City Hall

This guide covers the City of St. Louis's electrical licenses only, not St. Louis County's or any other Missouri city's or county's: check with the one where you work.

The fees, CE and bond rules here come from Ordinance 70802 as enacted in 2018, which the Building Division's Building Codes page lists as the city's Electrical Code (2017 National Electrical Code, adopted 08-01-18). The Electrical Section can tell you about any later change, and whether the renewal can be filed online.

How to renew

Check the expiration date on your City of St. Louis license and confirm it with the Electrical Section at (314) 622-3313: the code renews every one of these licenses annually but doesn't name the date.
Electrical or Industrial-Maintenance License holders, in the code's words: finish at least 0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours (or the equivalent) on the changes in the current adopted Electrical Code and keep the proof for your renewal. Ask the Electrical Section whether a limited elevator or communications license needs CE too.
Electrical, limited elevator and communications contractors: make sure your $25,000 indemnifying bond hasn't lapsed (the code says a lapse means re-applying and retesting) and keep your liability policy in force; ask the Electrical Section whether it wants a new insurance certificate with your renewal.
Renew and pay the $150 renewal fee before your license expires, then renew your annual city business license with the License Collector.
Not working at the trade for a while? Close out your open permits, pay all permit fees and ask in writing for inactive status ($25).

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

3 months outConfirm your renewal date with the Electrical Section and book your Electrical Code CE (0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours) if your license needs it.
1 month outContractors with a bond: check that your $25,000 bond runs past the renewal and your liability policy is in force.
Before it expiresRenew with the $150 fee (and your CE proof, if your license needs it), and keep a copy.
After renewingRenew your annual city business license with the License Collector.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your $25,000 indemnifying bond to the City of Saint Louis, if your license needed one (a lapse means re-applying and retesting)
The liability insurance policy behind your $1,000,000 certificate
Your annual city business license from the License Collector
Any journeyman or apprentice electrician licenses your crew holds (the code requires them, but this guide doesn't cover their renewal)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do St. Louis electrical contractor licenses renew?

Every year: the code says each holder of an Electrical Contractor, Communications Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor or Industrial-Maintenance Electrician license renews it annually. Ordinance 70802 doesn't name the renewal date, so go by your license and confirm it with the Electrical Section.

How much does it cost to renew a St. Louis electrical license?

$150 a year to renew each of the four licenses (the code's Table 80.21.8).

Do St. Louis electricians need continuing education to renew?

Electrical or Industrial-Maintenance License holders provide proof of continuing education, or the equivalent, on the changes in the current adopted Electrical Code at the time of renewal: a minimum of 0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours. The code doesn't define which licenses "Electrical License" covers (the limited elevator electrical contractor license may be one) and names no hours for communications contractors; ask the Electrical Section whether yours needs CE.

What bond and insurance does a St. Louis electrical contractor need?

Before their application is accepted, applicants for an Electrical Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor or Communications Contractor license file a $25,000 indemnifying bond naming the City of Saint Louis, approved by the Comptroller, and a certificate of liability insurance for $1,000,000 with the Electrical Inspection Section. Any lapse of the bond requires re-application to the Board of Electrical Examiners with the proper fees, and retesting. The code doesn't say whether the insurance certificate is filed again at renewal; ask the Electrical Section.

Can I put my St. Louis electrical license on inactive status?

Yes: tell the code official in writing, after every open permit has passed a final inspection and all permit fees are paid. The inactive fee is $25. To reactivate, submit documentation of your work experience for the last three years (such as W-2s) and proof of continuing education in the current adopted Electrical Code.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

City of St. Louis Building Division, Committee of Electrical Examiners

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Missouri guides

All Missouri guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

City of St. Louis Electrical Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

At a glance

Who needs a license: The Committee of Electrical Examiners grants Electrical Contractor, Communications Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor and Industrial-Maintenance Electrician licenses. Under the code, no one may do work it covers until they hold the license, have made the deposit and furnished the bond, and have paid all current permit fees. A contractor's employees must be licensed as journeyman or apprentice electricians; this guide doesn't cover those licenses
Electrical permits: For contractors, issued to licensed electrical contractors certified by the City of St. Louis (single-family homeowners who meet certain conditions can get one too): the Building Division's permit page asks for an Electrical Contractor's license issued by the City of St. Louis Building Division and a registered trades contractor account on the STL City Permits website
Renews every: Year: the code says each holder of an Electrical Contractor, Communications Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor or Industrial-Maintenance Electrician license renews it annually. Ordinance 70802 doesn't name the renewal date, so go by your license and confirm it with the Electrical Section
Fee: $150 a year to renew each of the four licenses (the code's Table 80.21.8)
Continuing education: Electrical or Industrial-Maintenance License holders provide proof of continuing education, or the equivalent, on the changes in the current adopted Electrical Code at the time of renewal: a minimum of 0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours. The code doesn't define which licenses "Electrical License" covers (the limited elevator electrical contractor license may be one) and names no hours for communications contractors; ask the Electrical Section whether yours needs CE
Bond: Before their application is accepted, applicants for an Electrical Contractor, Limited Elevator Electrical Contractor or Communications Contractor license file a $25,000 indemnifying bond naming the City of Saint Louis, written by a person, firm or corporation authorized to do business in Missouri and approved by the Comptroller. Any lapse requires re-application to the Board of Electrical Examiners with the proper fees, and retesting
Insurance: Applicants for the same three licenses also file a certificate of liability insurance for $1,000,000 with the Electrical Inspection Section (the code calls it a Certificate of Limited Liability). The code doesn't say whether it is filed again at renewal; ask the Electrical Section
Running the business: The license holder must be a full-time (at least 40 hours a week) employee of one company only; keep an established street-addressed place of business with the occupancy permits it needs; have someone there to take calls Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (legal holidays excluded) and a licensed answering service at other times; and mark every service vehicle with the business's name, address and phone number in letters at least 3 inches tall
City business license: The License Collector issues annual business licenses to electrical contractors, communications contractors, limited elevator electrical contractors and industrial-maintenance electricians when they submit the license the Committee of Electrical Examiners issued
Revocation: After a public hearing, the Committee can revoke a license for reasons including being in arrears on City of Saint Louis tax levies, electrical permit fees, business license fees or indemnifying bonds, or the license holder not being a full-time employee (at least 40 hours) of the contracting firm. The License Collector then revokes the business license
Inactive status: Tell the code official in writing the date you want your license inactive, after every open permit has passed a final inspection and all permit fees are paid. The inactive fee is $25. To reactivate, submit documentation of your work experience for the last three years (such as W-2s) and proof of continuing education in the current adopted Electrical Code
Company name change: Notify the Electrical Inspection Office and pay the license renewal fee. All open permits must pass a final inspection and all permit fees must be paid before the name change
Late renewal: Ordinance 70802 sets no grace period or late fee for a license renewed after it expires. Ask the Electrical Section before your renewal date what a late renewal means for your license
Penalties: Violating the code, or a permit or license issued under it, can bring a fine of up to $500 on conviction, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense. The code also allows jail time: section 80.15.4 says up to 30 days, the ordinance's Section Four penalty clause up to 90
Contact: The Committee of Electrical Examiners page lists City Hall, Room 426, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, phone (314) 622-3313, email dps-building-division@stlouis-mo.gov. Walk-in electrical permits are at the Building Division's Mechanical Section, Room 425, City Hall

This guide covers the City of St. Louis's electrical licenses only, not St. Louis County's or any other Missouri city's or county's: check with the one where you work.

How to renew

Check the expiration date on your City of St. Louis license and confirm it with the Electrical Section at (314) 622-3313: the code renews every one of these licenses annually but doesn't name the date.
Electrical or Industrial-Maintenance License holders, in the code's words: finish at least 0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours (or the equivalent) on the changes in the current adopted Electrical Code and keep the proof for your renewal. Ask the Electrical Section whether a limited elevator or communications license needs CE too.
Electrical, limited elevator and communications contractors: make sure your $25,000 indemnifying bond hasn't lapsed (the code says a lapse means re-applying and retesting) and keep your liability policy in force; ask the Electrical Section whether it wants a new insurance certificate with your renewal.
Renew and pay the $150 renewal fee before your license expires, then renew your annual city business license with the License Collector.
Not working at the trade for a while? Close out your open permits, pay all permit fees and ask in writing for inactive status ($25).

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

3 months outConfirm your renewal date with the Electrical Section and book your Electrical Code CE (0.8 CEUs or 8 classroom hours) if your license needs it.
1 month outContractors with a bond: check that your $25,000 bond runs past the renewal and your liability policy is in force.
Before it expiresRenew with the $150 fee (and your CE proof, if your license needs it), and keep a copy.
After renewingRenew your annual city business license with the License Collector.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your $25,000 indemnifying bond to the City of Saint Louis, if your license needed one (a lapse means re-applying and retesting)
The liability insurance policy behind your $1,000,000 certificate
Your annual city business license from the License Collector
Any journeyman or apprentice electrician licenses your crew holds (the code requires them, but this guide doesn't cover their renewal)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do St. Louis electrical contractor licenses renew?

How much does it cost to renew a St. Louis electrical license?

$150 a year to renew each of the four licenses (the code's Table 80.21.8).

Do St. Louis electricians need continuing education to renew?

What bond and insurance does a St. Louis electrical contractor need?

Can I put my St. Louis electrical license on inactive status?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

City of St. Louis Building Division, Committee of Electrical Examiners

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Missouri guides

All Missouri guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet