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Licensing board upholds renewal deadline as applicants cite portal glitches
Summary
St. Louis County license board told multiple plumbing and sprinkler applicants that licenses expired Dec. 31, 2025, and submissions after Jan. 30 require retesting, even as applicants said portal problems and unclear communications kept renewals from completing.
The St. Louis County Board of License Examiners reaffirmed that master and journeyman plumbing licenses that lapsed after Dec. 31, 2025, are deemed expired if renewal was not submitted by Jan. 30, and in many cases require retesting to regain active status. The board reviewed individual cases in which applicants said technical issues or confusing portal behavior prevented completion of online renewals.
Board members and staff told applicants the county ordinance and the board’s rules require a submitted renewal by the end of January; staff explained that ‘‘partially initiated’’ renewals create temporary files that can auto-delete after 30 days if not submitted, which can leave no record that an applicant started the process. Staff also said automated notices had been sent in October and November and that a status update showing a record ‘‘about to expire’’ had been entered by Kate Campbell.
Applicants described a range of problems: difficulty navigating the portal, uploaded continuing-education records that were not recognized at the time of renewal, and classes later found to be from nonaccredited providers. One applicant said he believed he had renewed after receiving indications his documents were approved; staff countered that approval of some documents (bond or insurance) does not equal completion of the renewal workflow. The board noted that hardship exceptions for bypassing a retest are narrowly drawn — for example, severe illness or death — and are not routinely granted.
The board recommended that affected applicants reapply, complete any missing documentation, and, where required, schedule a retest; staff offered to assist applicants with tutorials and to fast-track credential issuance once eligibility and exam requirements are met. At the end of the agenda the board approved the recorded actions on applications by voice vote.
The board’s decision preserves the local ordinance’s deadline while directing staff to help applicants with portal issues; several applications were approved or tabled pending specific documents such as affidavits of employment, department-of-labor transcripts, and verifiable proof of hours.
