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How to Verify a Professional's License in St. Louis?

The Missouri Division of Professional Registration (DOPR) licenses and regulates the activities of over 460,000 professionals, and it issues occupational licenses to eligible professionals in St. Louis through 42 different licensing boards and commissions. In addition, any of these professionals that intend to conduct business in St. Louis and offer services to St. Louisans are mandatorily required to obtain a license from the city's License Collector's Office. You can verify state-issued licenses via the DOPR's online licensee search portal. Similarly, you can also confirm that your intended professionals have obtained the mandatory city-issued licenses required for their respective professions online or by contacting the St. Louis License Collector's Office at (314) 622-4528.

Furthermore, a city-issued permit may be required before some professionals can officially begin work on the projects for which they were hired. These permits are issued by the St. Louis Department of Public Safety through its Building Division and they are usually required for construction-related projects. Some common permits issued by this agency include electrical permits, plumbing permits, demolition permits, and mechanical permits. Note that in many cases, these permits will only be issued to a professional that has been certified by the city. You can verify if your intended professional has been duly certified by contacting the Building Division via phone number (314) 622-3313. You can also direct queries concerning the permit application process to this office.

Do St. Louis Neighborhood Councils
Issue Permits?

St. Louis currently has 79 neighborhoods, and many of these neighborhoods have active community associations and groups. However, none of these associations or groups is authorized to issue permits to residents of the city. Instead, they collaborate with the city's Neighborhood Stabilization Team to sustain a quality environment within their respective neighborhoods through various programs and activities. You can access information on St. Louis neighborhoods and their active associations and groups via the city's online neighborhood directory. You can also contact the city's Neighborhood Stabilization Team via phone number (314) 657-1392 to get information on available programs and activities that might be beneficial to your area of residence. In February 2021, a coalition of St. Louis community organizations collectively launched an online toolbox designed to help residents of the area connect with available community development resources. In May 2021, Randall's, a prominent local liquor business in the area, announced that it would be expanding to 4925 Southwest Avenue, near Kings Highway Boulevard, after concluding the liquor license application process. This process typically includes getting signatures from nearby neighbors and meeting with the local neighborhood associations in the area.

How to File an Unfair Business
Complaint in St. Louis?

St. Louisans can file complaints concerning unfair and unscrupulous business practices with the Missouri Attorney General's Office. These complaints can be filed online or by mailing a completed consumer complaint form to:

• Missouri Attorney General's Office
• Consumer Protection Unit
• P.O. Box 899
• Jefferson City, MO 65102

When filing these complaints, it is always a good idea to attach copies of any important supporting documents related to the matter. You can direct queries related to the complaint filing process to this office via its consumer protection hotline at 1-800-392-8222. You can also direct inquiries to the Attorney General's St. Louis Regional Office located at:

• 815 Olive Street
• Suite 200
• St. Louis, MO 63101
• Phone: (314) 340-6816

After the Missouri Attorney General's Office receives and reviews a complaint, it either provides mediation for the complainant and business or files criminal charges and civil lawsuits against the business, depending on the nature of the complaint. Note that even though this office is charged with protecting St. Louisans against unfair and unscrupulous business practices, it cannot act on behalf of individual consumers and it is prohibited from giving you legal advice. Also, it is not guaranteed that any complaint you file with this office will lead to restitution or any other type of personal remedy. To ensure that all your legal rights are preserved, it is advisable that you contact a private lawyer to discuss ways through which you can pursue further legal action and seek satisfactory redress against the business. You can get referrals to lawyers in St. Louis through the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis's Lawyer Search webpage.