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How to get a plumber license in Virginia

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

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Virginia Board for Contractors, Tradesmen Program (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (DPOR licenses journeyman and master plumber tradesmen statewide, plus a residential plumber pathway (April 1, 2025).)
  • Journeyman Plumber: 4 years of practical plumbing experience plus 240 hours of formal vocational training. Other routes: 5 years + 160 hours, 6 years + 80 hours, 7 years + 40 hours, or 8 years with no formal training; an associate degree or 2-year certificate in a related field + 2 years; or a related engineering bachelor's degree + 1 year.
  • Exam: open book, via PSI
  • Code edition: Plumber continuing education and exams are tied to the International Plumbing Code (IPC) edition Virginia adopts for tradesman CE; confirm the PSI bulletin references before you test.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Plumber

Experience4 years of practical plumbing experience plus 240 hours of formal vocational training. Other routes: 5 years + 160 hours, 6 years + 80 hours, 7 years + 40 hours, or 8 years with no formal training; an associate degree or 2-year certificate in a related field + 2 years; or a related engineering bachelor's degree + 1 year.Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of · 18VAC50-30-39 B (effective April 1, 2025).
ExamPSI. Open book. Board approval first, then schedule with PSI at (855) 340-3910. Journeyman tradesman exam fee $100. Bring bound references listed in the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for plumbing.Source: dpor.virginia.gov · as of · Exam fees and PSI phone on the Tradesmen board page.
Fees
  • Original tradesman license by exam (application): $150
  • Journeyman exam (paid to PSI): $100
  • Renewal (every 3 years): $160
  • Reinstatement (includes renewal): $210
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of · Exam fee: dpor.virginia.gov · Renewal and reinstatement: law.lis.virginia.gov and law.lis.virginia.gov From July 1, 2026, DPOR says certain fees include a separate $7.25-per-year technology fee.
RenewalEvery 3 years. Expires 3 years from the last day of the month it was issued. Renew with the fee and CE before it expires; after 30 days you pay the $210 reinstatement fee instead, and after 24 months you must apply again.Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of
CE to renew3 hours per 3-year renewal
  • Board-approved course on plumbing code changes (IPC)
Finish the course before your license expires. If you hold more than one trade designation, complete CE for each trade. Providers report hours to DPOR electronically.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of · CE list and rules: dpor.virginia.gov

License types in Virginia

  • Residential Plumber tradesman
  • Journeyman Plumber tradesman
  • Master Plumber tradesman
Source: dpor.virginia.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Virginia uses licensing or exam agreements and Universal License Recognition rather than blanket plumber reciprocity. Check the Tradesmen board reciprocity/exam agreements list and ULR applications on DPOR before you assume an out-of-state plumber license transfers.Source: dpor.virginia.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 Virginia have a state journeyman plumber license?

Yes. DPOR's Board for Contractors Tradesmen Program licenses journeyman and master plumbers, plus a residential plumber pathway.

How much experience does a Virginia journeyman plumber need?

Commonly 4 years plus 240 vocational hours, with other experience/education combinations in 18VAC50-30-39.

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

Other states

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