Construction / Plumber License / Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania
- Plumber License
- Journeyman & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Pennsylvania Plumber License
This page covers Philadelphia’s journeyman and master plumber licenses, issued by the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections. If you work elsewhere in Pennsylvania, check with your local municipality.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections requirements
Application fee
$25–$50
Credited to the license fee ($126 journeyman, $303 master); plus $115 ICC exam
Exam time
3–4 hrs
3 hrs journeyman, 4 hrs master
Time to get license
~4 yrs
4 years as a registered apprentice
Continuing ed
8 hrs
Every year to renew
Overview
Do you need a Pennsylvania plumber license?
In Philadelphia, yes. Plumbing work in the city is licensed by the Department of Licenses and Inspections, at the journeyman and master levels. A journeyman license doesn’t let you run a plumbing business.
License required when
- You build, alter or repair drainage, traps, waste vents or water piping
- You install fixtures connected to plumbing
- You work on cesspools
- You want to operate a plumbing business (master)
Common exceptions
- Registered apprentices working toward the 4-year requirement
- Other exemptions aren’t listed in our source, so check with Licenses and Inspections
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source doesn’t list penalty amounts. Licenses and Inspections enforces the city’s licensing rules and can act against people who do plumbing work without the required license.
Your fast-track Pennsylvania plumber license checklist
The Pennsylvania application, one page
- Proof of 4 years as a registered Philadelphia apprentice
- High school diploma or GED
- Passing exam results from Pearson VUE
- 2×2 color photo
- Insurance certificates (master): liability, auto and workers’ comp
Types
Pennsylvania plumber license types and classifications
Philadelphia has two plumber license levels. Both cover the same kinds of work; the master license adds business ownership and comes with insurance requirements.
JRY
Start here
Journeyman Plumber
Builds, alters and repairs drainage, cesspools, traps, waste vents, water piping and fixtures, working under a licensed master plumber. Can’t operate a business.
Exam
Journeyman exam
Limit
Works under a master
MST
Run a business
Master Plumber
Covers the same plumbing work, with workers’ comp, general liability and auto liability insurance required.
Exam
Master exam
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Pennsylvania plumber license requirements, class by class
Journeymen need 4 years as a registered apprentice. Masters need 2 years as a journeyman plus insurance.
| Requirement | Journeyman | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 4 years registered as an apprentice in Philadelphia | 2 years as a journeyman, plus a state-approved apprenticeship |
| Minimum age | 18 | 21 |
| Education | High school diploma or GED | High school diploma or GED |
| Exam | Journeyman exam | Master exam |
| Photo | 2×2 color photo | Not stated |
| General liability | Not required | $500,000 per occurrence |
| Auto liability | Not required | $300,000 |
| Workers’ comp | Not required | $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee, $500,000 policy limit |
Steps
How to get your Pennsylvania plumber license, step by step
- Register as an apprenticeBefore you start
Spend at least 4 years registered as an apprentice plumber in Philadelphia. Masters also need 2 years as a journeyman. - Schedule your examBefore you apply
Contact Pearson VUE at 877-234-6082 or home.pearsonvue.com/icc/license to book the journeyman or master exam. - Pass the examExam day
The journeyman exam is 75 questions in 3 hours with 75% to pass. The master exam is 100 questions in 4 hours. - Get your insurance (master)Before you apply
Masters need $500,000 general liability, $300,000 auto liability and workers’ comp coverage. - Apply with Licenses and InspectionsApplication
Submit your exam results, photo, proof of education and experience to the Department of Licenses and Inspections. - Receive your licenseAfter approval
Once approved, you can work as a Philadelphia journeyman or master plumber. Plan for 8 hours of CE each year to renew.
Exam
What to expect on the Pennsylvania plumber exam
Both exams are scheduled through Pearson VUE. Our source lists the journeyman exam as closed book, though it also describes Philadelphia’s exams generally as open book, so confirm the format when you register.
Format
Computer-based; confirm book rules
Questions
75 (journeyman), 100 (master)
Passing score
75% (journeyman)
Exam vendor
Pearson VUE
Scoring & content
- Journeyman: 75 questions, 3 hours, 75% to pass
- Master: 100 questions, 4 hours
- Topics: fixtures and terminology, traps, interceptors and cleanouts, drainage, venting
- Also: water distribution, special requirements, plan reading and analysis
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our source
- Retake fees aren’t stated
- Contact Pearson VUE at 877-234-6082 to rebook
Exam references · Varies
The state hasn’t published a reference list for this exam in our sources. Check the candidate bulletin from the exam vendor before you buy books.
Our sources list the Philadelphia Journeyman Plumber exam as closed book and don’t state the book rules for the Master Plumber exam.
Prep
Best Pennsylvania plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Pennsylvania plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (credited to license fee) | Fixed | $25 journeyman; $50 master |
| License fee | Fixed | $126 journeyman; $303 master |
| Exam fee | Fixed | $115 (ICC, Pearson VUE) |
| General and auto liability (master) | Variable | Varies |
| Workers’ comp (master) | Variable | Varies |
| Continuing education (8 hrs a year) | Variable | Varies |
| City fees and exams | Excludes insurance and CE courses | $241 journeyman; $418 master |
Fees from the City of Philadelphia license pages and the ICC Philadelphia candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Pennsylvania accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Our source doesn’t describe any reciprocity for Philadelphia plumber licenses.
No reciprocity agreements
None are listed. Plan to apply as a new applicant, meet the experience requirements and pass the exam.
Local
Do Pennsylvania cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Philadelphia issues its own plumber licenses. If you work elsewhere in Pennsylvania, check with that municipality for its licensing rules.
State handles
- Approval of apprenticeship programs (master requirement)
- Plumber licensing details beyond Philadelphia aren’t covered in our source
City & county handle
- Journeyman and master plumber licenses in Philadelphia
- Apprentice registration
- Insurance requirements for masters
- Yearly renewal with 8 hours of CE
Philadelphia
Licenses and Inspections
- Journeyman: 4 years as a registered apprentice, age 18, high school diploma or GED
- Master: age 21, 2 years as a journeyman, insurance on file
- Exams scheduled through Pearson VUE
- 8 hours of continuing education each year to renew
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Pennsylvania
Licensing authority
Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
215-686-8686
phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues and renews Philadelphia journeyman and master plumber licenses
- Registers apprentice plumbers
- Sets insurance requirements for master plumbers
- Tracks continuing education for renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Pennsylvania plumber license and keep it active
Philadelphia plumber licenses renew every year, and you need 8 hours of continuing education to renew. Renewal costs $126 for a journeyman and $253 for a master.
Renewal cycle
Every year
CE hours
8
Renewal fee
$126 journeyman; $253 master
Late penalty
1.5% of the license fee per month after 60 days
FAQ
Pennsylvania plumber license FAQs
Who issues plumber licenses in Philadelphia?
The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. You can reach them at 215-686-8686.
How long does it take to become a journeyman plumber in Philadelphia?
At least 4 years. You need to be registered as an apprentice plumber in Philadelphia for 4 years, then pass the journeyman exam.
What’s on the Philadelphia journeyman plumber exam?
75 questions in 3 hours, and you need 75% to pass. Topics include fixtures, traps and cleanouts, drainage, venting, water distribution and plan reading.
Can a journeyman plumber run a business in Philadelphia?
No. The journeyman license doesn’t allow you to operate a business. That takes a master license.
What insurance does a master plumber need?
$500,000 per occurrence in general liability, $300,000 in auto liability, and workers’ comp at $100,000 per accident and $100,000 per employee.
How much continuing education is required?
8 hours every year to renew your license.
Sources
Official sources for the Pennsylvania plumber license
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
- Pearson VUE, ICC license exams
- City of Philadelphia, Get a journeyman plumber license
- City of Philadelphia, Get a master plumber’s license
- ICC Philadelphia Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.