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How to get a plumber license in Colorado

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Colorado plumbing licenses, pulled from official CO sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Colorado State Plumbing Board (Division of Professions and Occupations, DORA)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (The Board licenses Residential, Journeyworker, and Master plumbers statewide. (Former title “Journeyman” is now “Journeyworker.”))
  • Journeyworker Plumber: Maximum experience the Board requires: 4 years (6,800 hours) of practical plumbing experience, verified by Affidavit of Experience from employers (you may not verify your own hours). One month full-time ≈ 163 hours. Board-approved community-college/trade-school graduates may receive 1 year experience credit.
  • Exam: see below, via PSI (after DPO approval)
  • Code edition: Written exam (PSI after Board approval) is based on currently adopted IPC, IFGC, and Board rules. Confirm the Candidate Handbook after acceptance.

Requirements by license

Journeyworker Plumber

ExperienceMaximum experience the Board requires: 4 years (6,800 hours) of practical plumbing experience, verified by Affidavit of Experience from employers (you may not verify your own hours). One month full-time ≈ 163 hours. Board-approved community-college/trade-school graduates may receive 1 year experience credit.Source: dpo.colorado.gov · as of
ExamPSI (after DPO approval). Multiple-choice written exam after acceptance letter. Residential/Journeyworker need 70% overall; Master needs 75%. English only.Source: dpo.colorado.gov · as of
FeesSet locally / not listedSource: dpo.colorado.gov · as of · License and exam fee dollars are collected in DPO Online Services / PSI — amounts were not listed as fixed dollars on the public Applications page we checked.
RenewalEvery 2 years through Feb 2027 cycle; then 3 years starting March 1, 2027. Licenses expire the last day of February of odd-numbered years. Renewals open ~4–5 weeks prior. New licenses issued within 120 days of expiration get the next expiration date. Board news: renewal period extends to 3 years beginning March 1, 2027 (new expiration 2030).Source: dpo.colorado.gov · as of · Cycle change: dpo.colorado.gov
CE to renew8 hours per year
  • Board-accepted CE from attested providers
At least 8 hours of CE during EACH year (March 1–February 28) of the two-year license period. First exam-method licensees are exempt until after the first renewal. Providers must be on the Board’s attested list.
Source: dpo.colorado.gov · as of

License types in Colorado

  • Plumbing apprentice registration
  • Residential plumber
  • Journeyworker plumber
  • Master plumber
  • Plumbing contractor registration
  • Water conditioning installer/principal/contractor
Source: dpo.colorado.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Endorsement path: substantially equivalent credentials, comparable state exam verification, photocopy of a state (not city/county) license held at least 6 months, plus experience affidavits. Apply online via DPO.Source: dpo.colorado.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Colorado license journeyworker plumbers statewide?

Yes. DORA’s State Plumbing Board licenses Residential, Journeyworker and Master plumbers.

How much experience does a CO journeyworker need?

Up to 4 years / 6,800 hours of practical experience with employer affidavits (you cannot verify your own hours).

Already licensed? See Colorado plumber license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.