Wichita General Contractor License (2026): Cost, Exam & Requirements

Kansas has no statewide general-contractor license; in Wichita, GC licensing is run jointly for the city and Sedgwick County by the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD). The general 'building' license is tiered into four classes by structure type and height: Class A (general, unlimited), Class B (commercial + residential up to three stories), Class C (one- and two-family residential), and Class D (owner-maintenance). Each company must name a Qualified Person who passes an ICC/nationally recognized building exam at 75% or better, and carry $300,000 general-liability insurance. Licenses are biennial, expiring December 31 of even-numbered years.

MABCD Contractor License (Class A–D)

Issued by Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) — joint Wichita / Sedgwick County · 316-660-1840

Classes

Class	Scope / limit	License fee	General liability
Class C ResidentialResidential	Construction, remodeling, repair or wrecking of one- and two-family residences and buildings accessory thereto	$450	—
Class A General	Unlimited — build, remodel or repair any structure or addition permitted by the Code (commercial and residential, any height)	$1,000	—
Class B Building	Erection, addition, remodeling and wrecking of commercial buildings and single/multiple-dwelling residential buildings not exceeding three stories; nonstructural remodels to commercial buildings over three stories	$600	—
Class D Maintenance	Remodel, repair and maintenance of dwelling units wholly/partially owned by the contractor, or where the contractor is a full-time employee of the owner (Wichita jurisdiction only)	$360	—

Fees

Application$50

Exam: Required. Each license must name a Qualified Person who passes the exam. A minimum examination score of 75% is required. MABCD accepts applicants who have passed a nationally recognized building-code exam (ICC/International Conference of Building Officials, Block & Associates, Thompson Prometric, or International Code Council) at 75% or better, with proof of test scores. Business owners/sole proprietors may be their own Qualified Person.

Bond: No surety bond required. No surety bond is required to obtain a Class A, B, C, or D general/building/residential contractor license. The only contractor bond in the UBTC applies to wrecking (demolition) contractors, who must obtain a $2,000 indemnity bond (Section 2.1.140). Source

Insurance: General liability: $300,000 per occurrence minimum. Workers' comp: As required by Kansas law. Every contractor must procure and maintain general liability insurance (min $300,000 per occurrence) plus workers' compensation and automobile liability insurance as required by Kansas law, and file certificates of insurance naming MABCD with 30 days' advance notice of cancellation/material change before a license is issued. UBTC Section 4.1(c). Source

MABCD is a consolidated Wichita/Sedgwick County department at 271 W. 3rd, Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67202. New applications carry a $50 application fee on top of the biennial license fee. All licenses expire December 31 of every even-numbered year (grace period through January 31; late renewals add 25%–50% penalties). Subcontractors working under a general contractor, and owners building/remodeling their own single-family dwelling, are exempt (UBTC Section 2.1.220). License fees are not prorated.

How to get licensed in Wichita

Identify the license class that matches your project size and scope (see the class table above).
Pass the required exam. Each license must name a Qualified Person who passes the exam. A minimum examination score of 75% is required. MABCD accepts applicants who have passed a nationally recognized building-code exam (ICC/International Conference of Building Officials, Block & Associates, Thompson Prometric, or International Code Council) at 75% or better, with proof of test scores. Business owners/sole proprietors may be their own Qualified Person.
Obtain the required insurance coverage and provide a certificate.
Submit your application and fees to Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) — joint Wichita / Sedgwick County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a general contractor license in Wichita?

How much does a contractor license cost in Wichita?

The license fee is $50. An exam is also required.

Is an exam required for a Wichita contractor license?

Yes. Each license must name a Qualified Person who passes the exam. A minimum examination score of 75% is required. MABCD accepts applicants who have passed a nationally recognized building-code exam (ICC/International Conference of Building Officials, Block & Associates, Thompson Prometric, or International Code Council) at 75% or better, with proof of test scores. Business owners/sole proprietors may be their own Qualified Person.

Do I need a bond for a Wichita contractor license?

No. Wichita does not require a surety bond for this license.

Next steps

You know the requirements for general contractors in Kansas— here's how to actually pass and apply.

Pass the exam →What to study, prep courses, and first-try strategies for the contractor license exam.General Contractor requirements in every state →Compare apprenticeship hours, exams, fees, and the full path to getting licensed.

Sources

Last verified 2026-07-02 · Verified from primary documents