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Last reviewed: Next review due: Reflects current Kansas contractor license bond requirements
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Kansas Contractor License Bond— Three Separate Bond Systems

Kansas doesn't have a single statewide contractor bond — it has three distinct systems that most surety sites fail to explain. Municipal bonds are set city-by-city (Wichita, Emporia, KCK each have different amounts). The nonresident contractor bond under K.S.A. 79-1008 requires out-of-state contractors to post 8% of their contract value. And public works bonds kick in for government contracts over $100,000. We cover all three. For pricing, see our surety bond cost guide.

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KDOR Format Guarantee: Every nonresident bond ships on the official ST-45 form accepted by the Kansas Department of Revenue -- or we reissue free.

Official Kansas Requirements

"Every nonresident contractor... shall register with the director and shall file a bond with the director with a surety company authorized to do business in Kansas... in an amount equal to the greater of $1,000 or 8% of the contract price."
Kansas Department of Revenue — Nonresident Contractors Registration and Bonding Law • Kansas Statutes Annotated §79-1008

Which Kansas Contractor Bond Applies to You?

Three independent bond systems -- your business situation determines which ones apply

Municipal Bond
In-State Contractors

Amount: $1,000–$5,000 (varies by city)

Who needs it: Contractors working in cities that require local licensing

Filed with: Your local city or county clerk

Not all Kansas cities require bonds — check your municipality

Nonresident Bond
Out-of-State Contractors

Amount: 8% of contract price (min $1,000)

Who needs it: Nonresident contractors on KS contracts over $10,000

Filed with: Kansas Dept of Revenue (KDOR)

Tax compliance bond — K.S.A. 79-1008

Public Works Bond
Government Contracts

Amount: 100% of contract value

Who needs it: Contractors on public contracts over $100,000

Filed with: District court clerk

Payment bond under K.S.A. 60-1111

New to surety bonds? Read our step-by-step bonding guide before applying.

Nonresident Bond Calculation Under K.S.A. 79-1008

Filed with KDOR before starting work — forms ST-44 (registration) and ST-45 (bond)

Key Details
Standard rate8% of contract price
Tax-exempt projects4% of contract price
Minimum bond$1,000
Registration thresholdContracts over $10,000
ExemptionForeign corps registered with KS SOS

Bond release: After contract completion, file KDOR Form CR-40. Release requires certification that all employment security contributions and taxes are paid. See the KDOR ST-43 publication for full details.

Municipal Contractor Bond Amounts by Kansas City

Each Kansas city sets its own bond requirements — verify before bidding

What Kansas Contractor Bonds Cost by Type

Your premium is a percentage of the bond amount based on credit

Nonresident Bond Premium Examples

Because the nonresident bond is a percentage of contract value, premiums can be substantial for large projects:

$50,000 contract

$4,000 bond (8%)

$40–$400/yr
$150,000 contract

$12,000 bond (8%)

$120–$1,200/yr
$500,000 contract

$40,000 bond (8%)

$400–$4,000/yr
$1M contract

$80,000 bond (8%)

$800–$8,000/yr

Use our contractor bond calculator for a personalized estimate.

Kansas Roofing Registration Requires Insurance, Not a Bond

The Kansas Roofing Registration Act (K.S.A. 50-6,121) is frequently confused with a bond requirement. Roofing contractors must register with the Kansas Attorney General's office, but the KRRA requires $500,000 liability insurance and workers' compensation — not a surety bond.

KRRA Requirements
  • Register with Kansas AG Office
  • $500,000 minimum liability insurance
  • Workers' compensation coverage
  • No surety bond required
AG Resources

Note: Roofers may still need a municipal contractor bond in cities like Wichita or Emporia, separate from the KRRA insurance requirement. Kansas also mandates separate bonds for other licensed business types — vehicle dealers must carry a Kansas auto dealer bond through the KDR, and notaries are required to maintain a Kansas notary bond through the Secretary of State. Contractors working across the Missouri border should review Missouri contractor bond requirements, which differ significantly from Kansas's municipal-only system. For the difference between bonds and insurance, see our bond vs. insurance guide.

Public Works Payment Bond Under K.S.A. 60-1111

Required for government contracts exceeding $100,000

Requirements
Trigger thresholdContracts over $100,000
Bond amount100% of contract value
Filed withDistrict court clerk
Claims window6 months after completion
Who Is Protected

The public works payment bond protects subcontractors and material suppliers — not the project owner (that's what a performance bond does).

Applies to contracts with:

  • State of Kansas
  • Counties and cities
  • Quasi-municipal corporations
  • Public authorities

A public official cannot require the bond be obtained from a specific surety, agent, broker, or producer.

Need a Kansas Contractor Bond?

Municipal, nonresident, or public works — we handle all Kansas bond types.

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Kansas Contractor Bond Questions Answered

Expert answers covering municipal, nonresident, and public works bonds

Does Kansas require a statewide contractor license bond?
No. Kansas does not have a statewide general contractor license or bond requirement for in-state contractors. Contractor licensing and bonding is handled at the municipal level — each city and county sets its own requirements. However, Kansas does have state-level bond requirements for nonresident (out-of-state) contractors and for public works projects. The Kansas Roofing Registration Act requires $500,000 liability insurance through the Attorney General's office, but not a surety bond.
How much is the Kansas nonresident contractor bond?
The nonresident contractor bond under K.S.A. 79-1008 is the greater of $1,000 or 8% of the total contract price. For tax-exempt projects, it's the greater of $1,000 or 4%. Example: a $150,000 contract requires a $12,000 bond (8% × $150,000). This is a tax compliance bond filed with the Kansas Department of Revenue to ensure payment of Kansas income and withholding taxes. Foreign corporations registered with the Kansas Secretary of State are exempt.
What cities in Kansas require contractor bonds?
Several Kansas municipalities require contractor license bonds, including: Wichita ($5,000 for cement, excavation, and parking lot striping contractors; $2,000 for elevator/sign/wrecking), Emporia ($5,000 for all building trades), and Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS ($5,000 for mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and other trades). Each city has its own application process and renewal deadlines. Contact your local building inspection department for specific requirements.
When is a Kansas public works payment bond required?
Under K.S.A. 60-1111, a payment bond equal to 100% of the contract amount is required for any public works contract exceeding $100,000. This includes contracts with the State, counties, cities, and any political subdivision or public authority. The bond must be filed with the clerk of the district court in the county where the work is performed. Claims must be filed within 6 months of project completion.
How do I release my Kansas nonresident contractor bond?
After completing your contract, request a bond release using KDOR Form CR-40. The bond cannot be released until: (1) the contract is fully performed, (2) the Kansas Secretary of Revenue certifies all employment security contributions are paid, and (3) the county treasurer certifies all taxes are paid or no taxes are due. All three conditions must be met before the surety is discharged.
Is the Kansas Roofing Registration Act the same as a contractor bond?
No. The Kansas Roofing Registration Act (K.S.A. 50-6,121) requires roofing contractors to register with the Kansas Attorney General's office and carry $500,000 minimum liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. It does not require a surety bond. This is separate from any municipal contractor bond requirements. You can verify a roofer's registration at the AG's Roofing Registration Directory.
How much does a Kansas contractor bond cost?
Kansas contractor bond costs depend on the bond type. Municipal bonds ($1,000-$5,000) cost $50-$500 per year with good credit. Nonresident bonds scale with contract value -- an 8% bond on a $150,000 contract ($12,000 bond) costs $120-$1,200 per year. Public works bonds at 100% of contract value are priced based on your financial capacity. All rates depend on credit score, with excellent credit (720+) getting 1-2% annually.
How do I get a Kansas contractor bond?
First, determine which Kansas bond you need: municipal (check your city), nonresident (if headquartered outside Kansas), or public works (government contracts over $100K). Second, apply online with your business details and authorize a credit check. For municipal bonds, most are approved same-day. Nonresident bonds require your contract details and ST-44 registration form. We issue bonds on KDOR-accepted forms (ST-45) and deliver electronically for immediate filing.

Explore More Kansas Bond Resources

Neighboring States

Missouri contractor bondNebraska contractor bondColorado contractor bondOklahoma contractor bondIowa contractor bond

Other Kansas Bonds

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Tools & Guides

Contractor bond calculatorSurety bond cost guideHow to get a surety bondBond vs. insurance explained50-state requirements guideGeneral contractor bond guideGet your free quoteBid bondsPerformance bondsPayment bonds

Official Kansas Resources

Dept of Revenue (KDOR)

ST-43 — Nonresident Bonding Law

ST-44 — Registration Form

ST-45 — Bond Form

Attorney General

Roofing Registration

Roofing Directory

Phone: (785) 368-6644

Statutes

Nonresident: K.S.A. 79-1008–79-1015

Public Works: K.S.A. 60-1111

Roofing: K.S.A. 50-6,121 et seq.

View K.S.A. 60-1111

Estimate Your Kansas Contractor License Bond Premium

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Other Kansas Bonds

Additional surety bonds available in Kansas

Kansas Notary Bond

Notary public bond

Kansas Auto Dealer Bond

DMV dealer licensing

Kansas Performance Bond

Construction & service contracts

Nearby States

Contractor license bonds in neighboring states

Colorado Contractor License Bond

Colorado requirements, statute, and bond amount

Missouri Contractor License Bond

Missouri requirements, statute, and bond amount

Nebraska Contractor License Bond

Nebraska requirements, statute, and bond amount

Oklahoma Contractor License Bond

Oklahoma requirements, statute, and bond amount

Nick Thoroughman, Editorial Director
Reviewed by Nick Thoroughman, Editorial Director
Eric Drummond, Surety Specialist
Surety review by Eric Drummond, Surety Specialist
Nevada DOI license pending issuance

All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and verified before publication. BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-certified, A- minimum rated surety carriers serving all 50 states.

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