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How to get a plumber license in West Virginia

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

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Certification (Commissioner of Labor)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (W. Va. Code § 21-14: statewide plumber certifications (master, journeyman, plumber in training) issued by the Commissioner of Labor. Separate from contractor licenses.)
  • Journeyman Plumber: Statute defines a journeyman plumber as a person who passes the journeyman written exam (≥70%) and is competent to instruct and supervise a plumber in training. No separate statewide hour total is stated in § 21-14-2. Everyone who performs plumbing work needs an individual certification (master, journeyman, or plumber in training), even if the employer holds a contractor license.
  • Exam: see below, via ProV, Inc. (Division of Labor testing contractor)
  • Code edition: ProV written exams for Journeyman and Master Plumber. FAQ: exam required (grandfathering ended July 1, 2009). Statute: pass with at least 70%. Candidate bulletin lists IPC/IFGC references — confirm current bulletin when you schedule.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Plumber

ExperienceStatute defines a journeyman plumber as a person who passes the journeyman written exam (≥70%) and is competent to instruct and supervise a plumber in training. No separate statewide hour total is stated in § 21-14-2. Everyone who performs plumbing work needs an individual certification (master, journeyman, or plumber in training), even if the employer holds a contractor license.Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · as of · FAQ: labor.wv.gov
ExamProV, Inc. (Division of Labor testing contractor). Written journeyman exam; pass ≥70% (§ 21-14-2). FAQ: contact ProV at 866-720-7768. Exam fee listed in the ProV bulletin ($59.95 on the Division bulletin we reviewed — confirm current amount when scheduling).Source: labor.wv.gov · as of · Statute: code.wvlegislature.gov
Fees
  • Journeyman initial certification: $75
  • Journeyman renewal: $75
  • Plumber in training initial/renewal: $25
  • Late fee: $25
  • Duplicate certification: $10
Source: labor.wv.gov · as of
RenewalListed on your certification card. Renewal date is on the card. Division sends a renewal form about 45 days before due. Late fee $25.Source: labor.wv.gov · as of · Fees: labor.wv.gov
CE to renewNo continuing-education hour requirement was listed on the Division of Labor plumber FAQ or fees pages we checked.Not confirmedSource: labor.wv.gov · as of

License types in West Virginia

  • Plumber in training
  • Journeyman plumber
  • Master plumber
  • Contractor license with plumbing classification (separate; required at higher job thresholds)
Source: labor.wv.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Not described on the plumber certification FAQ. Confirm with the Division of Labor whether out-of-state plumber licenses can waive the WV exam.Not confirmedSource: labor.wv.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 West Virginia certify journeyman plumbers statewide?

Yes. The Division of Labor issues master, journeyman and plumber-in-training certifications under § 21-14.

Is a contractor license enough?

No. Each person who performs plumbing needs an individual plumber certification; contractor licenses are separate.

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

Other states

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