Virginia Plumber Licensing FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about Virginia’s plumber licensing and continuing education

How to get a Virginia Journeyman Plumber License

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Meet one of the following practical/vocational training experience requirement combinations:
    1. 4 years practical/240 hours vocational
    2. 5 years practical/160 hours vocational
    3. 6 years practical/80 hours vocational
    4. 7 years practical/40 hours vocational
  3. Submit a completed application and fees, then wait for approval
  4. Take and pass your exam
  5. If intending to perform work over $1,000, you must also obtain a Virginia Contractors License
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How to get a Virginia Master Plumber License

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Meet one of the following minimum experience requirements:
    1. 1 year as a licensed journeyman in the trade
    2. 10 years of practical experience in the trade verified by individuals who supervised the work
    3. Possess a current journeyman or master plumbing license from an out-of-state licensing body
  3. Submit a completed application and fees, then wait for approval
  4. Take and pass your exam
  5. If intending to perform work over $1,000, you must also obtain a Virginia Contractors License
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Virginia Plumber Renewal Requirements

Renewal Deadline: Every 3 years by the last day of issuance month.

Continuing Education:

Journeyman and Masters must complete 3 hours every 2 years. Gas Fitters must complete 1 hour every 2 years.

If you have more than one designation on your license, you must complete continuing education for each designation. This does not apply to dual license holders, i.e. those who hold both a Journeyman and Master license.

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Getting Licensed

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Virginia?

Individuals who want to engage in any plumbing work in Virginia need to obtain a plumber’s license.

Anyone intending to perform work over $1,000 must also obtain a Virginia Contractors License.

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Virginia?

Plumbers are licensed in Virginia as Tradesmen. Virginia has the follow Tradesmen designations:

  • Journeyman/Master Plumber (PLB)
  • Journeyman/Master Electrical (ELE)
  • Journeyman/Master Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVA)
  • Journeyman/Master Gas Fitting (GFC)
  • Journeyman/Master Liquefied Petroleum Gas Fitter (LPG)
  • Journeyman/Master Natural Gas Fitter Provider (NGF)

Does Virginia have reciprocal licensing with other states?

Virginia has a reciprocal agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission for Journeyman/Master Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Information on other reciprocal agreements can be found here.

What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in Virginia?

Journeyman

  • Application: $130
  • Exam: $100.00
  • Renewal: Will be on your renewal notice

Master

  • Application: $130
  • Exam: $125.00
  • Renewal: Will be on your renewal notice

Renewing a License

When do I need to renew my Virginia plumbing license?

You need to renew your license every 3 years by the last day of issuance month.

How do I renew my plumbing license in Virginia?

You first must complete your continued education. You then can renew online or send in your renewal application with the renewal fee.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Virginia?

Yes, Journeyman and Masters must complete 3 hours every 2 years. Gas Fitters must complete 1 hour every 2 years.

My Virginia plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?

To reinstate your license, you have a 30-day grace period to submit payment and your proof of continued education.

If you do not complete the requirements, you must pay an additional fee to reinstate your license.

If you do not reinstate within one year, you must apply for a new license.

How do I get my journeyman plumbing license in Virginia?

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Meet one of the following practical/vocational training experience requirement combinations:
    1. 4 years practical/240 hours vocational
    2. 5 years practical/160 hours vocational
    3. 6 years practical/80 hours vocational
    4. 7 years practical/40 hours vocational
  3. Submit a completed application and fees, then wait for approval
  4. Take and pass your exam
  5. If intending to perform work over $1,000, you must also obtain a Virginia Contractors License

What fees are associated with becoming a journeyman plumber in Virginia?

  • Application: $130
  • Exam: $100.00
  • Renewal: Will be on your renewal notice

What can I expect from the Virginia journeyman plumbing exam?

80 question open book exam with a 210 minute time limit.

  • Standards of Practice
  • Standards of Conduct
  • Renewal and Reinstatement
  • Definitions
  • Qualification for Licensure
  • Revocation of Licensure
  • Drainage Waste and Vents
  • Water Supply Systems
  • Backflow Prevention
  • Storm Drainage Systems
  • Plumbing Fixtures
  • General Regulations
  • Interceptors and Traps

What does your journeyman plumber exam prep cover?

  • Virginia Journeyman Exam Prep Program
  • Comprehensive Code Review
  • Basic & Advanced Plumbing Math
  • Isometric Theory & Plan Review
  • Virginia Exam Bulletin Breakdown
  • And Much More

Where can I take the Virginia journeyman plumber exam?

  • Charlottesville, VA
  • Richmond, VA
  • Roanoke, VA
  • Vienna, VA
  • Virginia Beach, VA
  • Johnson City, TN
  • Salisbury, MD

How do I know if I passed the Virginia journeyman plumber exam?

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test. If you take the exam online, the results will appear immediately after finishing the exam. If you take the exam on paper, an official report will be printed at the testing location.

How do I get my master plumbing license in Virginia?

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Meet one of the following minimum experience requirements:
    1. 1 year as a licensed journeyman in the trade
    2. 10 years of practical experience in the trade verified by individuals who supervised the work
    3. Possess a current journeyman or master plumbing license from an out-of-state licensing body
  3. Submit a completed application and fees, then wait for approval
  4. Take and pass your exam
  5. If intending to perform work over $1,000, you must also obtain a Virginia Contractors License

What fees are associated with becoming a master plumber in Virginia?

  • Application: $130
  • Exam: $125.00
  • Renewal: Will be on your renewal notice

What can I expect from the Virginia master plumbing exam?

80 question open book exam with a 210 minute time limit.

  • Standards of Practice
  • Standards of Conduct
  • Renewal and Reinstatement
  • Definitions
  • Qualification for Licensure
  • Revocation of Licensure
  • Drainage Waste and Vents
  • Water Supply Systems
  • Backflow Prevention
  • Storm Drainage Systems
  • Plumbing Fixtures
  • General Regulations
  • Interceptors and Traps

What can I expect from your Virginia plumber exam prep?

  • Administration, Scope and Intent/Purpose
  • Definitions and Symbols
  • Plumbing Math
  • General Regulations
  • Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
  • Water Heaters
  • Water Supply and Distribution
  • Sanitary Drainage
  • Indirect and Special Waste
  • Vents
  • Traps, Interceptors, and Separators
  • Storm Drainage
  • Nonpotable Water Systems
  • Subsurface Landscape Irrigation Systems
  • Appendix E
  • Isometrics
  • Private Sewage Systems
  • International Fuel Gas Code
  • Hands-On Practical Application
  • Master Plumber Isometrics
  • Practice Test
  • Individual License and Certification Regulations

Where can I take the Virginia master plumber exam?

  • Charlottesville, VA
  • Richmond, VA
  • Roanoke, VA
  • Vienna, VA
  • Virginia Beach, VA
  • Johnson City, TN
  • Salisbury, MD

How do I know if I passed the Virginia plumber exams?

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test. If you take the exam online, the results will appear immediately after finishing the exam. If you take the exam on paper, an official report will be printed at the testing location.

What continuing education is required to renew my Virginia plumber license?

Journeyman and Masters must complete 3 hours every 3 years by the last day of issuance month. Gas Fitters must complete 1 hour every 2 years.

If you have more than one designation on your license, you must complete continuing education for each designation. However, you do not have to complete the same requirement twice.

Examples:

  1. Journeyman Plumber & Master Plumber license = 3 hours only
  2. Journeyman Plumber & Journeyman Gas Fitter = 4 hours
  3. Journeyman Gas Fitter & Journeyman Liquefied Petroleum Gas = 1 hour

Who submits my Virginia plumbing continuing education course completions to the state?

The provider submits your completion to the state.

Are your continuing education courses approved for credit in the state of Virginia?

We have partnered with At Your Pace Online to offer these courses through: https://www.vacontractortraining.com/virginia-tradesman-continuing-education-training

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Board for Contractors
9960 Maryland Drive Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 367-8511
tradesmen@dpor.virginia.gov
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen

PSI Exams
3210 East Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(855) 340-3910
examschedule@psionline.com
https://candidate.psiexams.com/

Once I order a course, how long before I can start?

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you’ve entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Once I start an online course, can I start and stop it at any time?

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10-15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

How long do your exam prep courses take to complete?

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

How long do I have access to my courses?

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

Do your courses have tests?

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

If I fail a practice test, do I have to take it again?

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don’t pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

Once I complete a course, can I still go back and review the lessons and quizzes?

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.