Construction / Plumber License / Virginia
- Virginia
- Plumber License
- Residential, Journeyman & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Virginia Plumber License
Virginia licenses plumbers at four levels: Residential, Journeyman, Master and Plumbing Contractor. Here’s what each one needs, how the PSI exams work and how to stay licensed.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) requirements
Application fee
$171.75
Tradesman exam and license application; plus $100–$125 PSI exam
Exam time
2–3.5 hrs
Residential 120 min; Master 210 min
Time to get license
2–10 yrs
Depends on your level and how much classroom training you have
Continuing ed
3 hrs
Required for each renewal
Overview
Do you need a Virginia plumber license?
Yes. Virginia requires plumbers to hold a tradesman license before any bidding or work takes place. To bid plumbing jobs as a business, you also need a Virginia contractor license once a project is over $1,000.
License required when
- You do plumbing work of any kind in Virginia
- You bid on or offer plumbing work
- You supervise journeyman plumbers or work on your own (Master license)
- You bid on a plumbing project over $1,000 (Plumbing Contractor plus a Class A, B or C contractor license)
Common exceptions
- Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses don’t require a separate contractor license unless you bid jobs as a business
- Projects of $1,000 or less don’t need a contractor license, though the tradesman license is still required
- Class C contractors take an 8-hour pre-licensing course instead of a contractor exam
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t list specific fines. DPOR can discipline licensees and take action against anyone doing regulated plumbing work without the right license, so get licensed before you bid or work.
Your fast-track Virginia plumber license checklist
The Virginia application, one page
- Training hours and experience that match your level
- Exam pre-approval from PSI
- Passing score on your plumbing exam
- DPOR license application
- Class A, B or C contractor license if you’ll bid jobs
Types
Virginia plumber license types and classifications
Pick the level that matches the work you do. Each tradesman level has its own exam, and the contractor path adds a business license on top of the Master exam.
RES
Homes only
Residential Plumber
Plumbing work on dwellings and townhouses under the Virginia Residential Code, plus structures attached to them. No commercial, industrial, institutional or government buildings.
Exam
Residential Plumbing
Limit
Dwellings and townhouses
JRY
Most common
Journeyman Plumber
Installs, repairs and maintains plumbing materials and equipment. Works under the supervision of a Master Plumber.
Exam
Journeyman Plumbing
Limit
Under a Master
MST
Work independently
Master Plumber
Everything a journeyman can do, plus planning, laying out details and supervising journeymen. Can work independently.
Exam
Master Plumbing
Limit
No supervision needed
CON
Bid jobs
Plumbing Contractor
Used together with a Virginia Class A, B or C contractor license so a business can bid and complete plumbing jobs.
Exam
Master Plumbing + contractor requirements
Limit
Set by contractor class
Requirements
Virginia plumber license requirements, class by class
Every level needs exam pre-approval. Residential and Journeyman let you trade classroom hours for years in the field.
| Requirement | Residential | Journeyman | Master / Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | Residential Plumbing | Journeyman Plumbing | Master Plumbing |
| Training and experience | 160 hrs + 2 yrs, 120 hrs + 3 yrs, 80 hrs + 4 yrs, 40 hrs + 5 yrs, or 6 yrs experience | 2-year approved program, 240 hrs + 4 yrs, 160 hrs + 5 yrs, 80 hrs + 6 yrs, engineering degree + 1 yr, or 10 yrs experience | 1 yr as a licensed Virginia Journeyman |
| Exam pre-approval | Required | Required | Required |
| Questions | 50 | Not stated | 80 |
| Passing score | 35 correct | Not stated | 60 correct |
| Extra license | None | None | Contractor: Class A, B or C contractor license |
Steps
How to get your Virginia plumber license, step by step
- Pick your levelBefore you start
Residential, Journeyman or Master. If you want to bid jobs, plan on the Plumbing Contractor path too. - Log your training and experienceBefore you apply
Match one of the training-plus-experience combinations for your level. Master applicants need 1 year as a licensed Virginia Journeyman. - Get exam pre-approvalBefore you schedule
PSI needs pre-approval before you can book. Call PSI at 855-340-3910 or start at candidate.psiexams.com. - Pass your examExam day
Test at a PSI center in one of the larger Virginia cities. The exams are open book with tabbed, highlighted references. - Apply with DPORAfter you pass
Apply through the DPOR Tradesmen program or call 804-367-8511. - Add a contractor license if you’ll bid jobsContractor path
Plumbing Contractors also need a Class A, B or C contractor license. Class C takes an 8-hour pre-licensing course; Class A and B also take contractor exams.
Exam
What to expect on the Virginia plumber exam
You sit the plumbing exam for your level, given by PSI. The exams are open book, and you can tab and highlight the permitted references.
Format
Open book
Questions
50 (RES) · 80 (MST)
Passing score
35/50 · 60/80
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Residential: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 35 correct to pass
- Master: 80 questions, 210 minutes, 60 correct to pass
- Journeyman: question count and passing score not stated in our sources
- Topics: regulations, drainage, waste and vents, water supply, backflow prevention, storm drainage, fixtures, interceptors and traps
- References: 2021 International Plumbing Code, the Tradesman regulations and Chapter 1 of the Virginia Statewide Building Code
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our sources
- Pre-approval is required before you schedule
- Call PSI at 855-340-3910 with scheduling questions
Exam references · Open book
Virginia’s plumbing exams are open book, and the references below can be tabbed, highlighted and used during the test. The list covers the Residential, Journeyman and Master Plumber exams; plumbing contractors also need a Class A, B or C contractor license.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| Virginia Individual License and Certification Regulations (Tradesman) | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (Chapter 1 only) | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Class A/B contractor exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
The Virginia regulations and the Chapter 1 excerpt of the Statewide Building Code are free to download and print from the state.
Prep
Best Virginia plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Virginia plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Tradesman exam & license application (DPOR) | Fixed | $171.75 |
| Journeyman exam, PSI | Fixed | $100 |
| Master exam, PSI | Fixed | $125 |
| Code books and references | Variable | Varies |
| 8-hour pre-licensing course (contractor path) | Variable | Varies |
| Class A, B or C contractor license (contractor path) | Fixed | $274.50–$439.50 |
| State fees and exams | Journeyman or Master application plus PSI exam; excludes the Residential exam fee and contractor license | $271.75–$296.75 |
Fees from the DPOR tradesman application, the DPOR Tradesmen page and 18VAC50-30-90 and -120, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Virginia accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Virginia has a reciprocity agreement with Washington for Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses. If your state isn’t on DPOR’s list, Universal License Recognition may still help.
Washington — Journeyman and Master reciprocity
Covers Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses. See DPOR’s Tradesmen reciprocal agreements list for the current terms.
All other states — Universal License Recognition
If your licensing agency isn’t listed, you can apply through Universal License Recognition (ULR). Otherwise apply as a new applicant.
Local
Do Virginia cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Your plumbing license comes from the state. Cities and counties still handle the job-site side of the work.
State handles
- Residential, Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses
- Plumbing Contractor and Class A, B and C contractor licenses
- Continuing education rules
- Reciprocity and Universal License Recognition
City & county handle
- Plumbing permits
- Inspections
- Local business licenses
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Virginia
Licensing authority
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
804-367-8511
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues and renews Residential, Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses
- Approves applicants to sit for the PSI exams
- Sets continuing education requirements for renewal
- Manages reciprocity and Universal License Recognition
Maintenance
How to renew your Virginia plumber license and keep it active
Virginia plumbers complete 3 hours of continuing education for each designation at every renewal. Tradesman licenses renew every 3 years for $160. Finish more than 30 days late and you’ll pay a $210 reinstatement fee instead.
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
CE hours
3
Renewal fee
$160
Late penalty
Reinstatement $210
Renewing your license?
See the Virginia CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Virginia plumber license FAQs
How long does it take to become a journeyman plumber in Virginia?
Anywhere from 2 to 10 years. A 2-year approved program is the fastest route; without classroom training you need 10 years of experience.
Is the Virginia plumbing exam open book?
Yes. You can tab and highlight the permitted references, including the 2021 International Plumbing Code.
What score do I need to pass the Master Plumber exam?
60 correct out of 80 questions, in 210 minutes. The Residential exam is 35 correct out of 50.
Do I need a contractor license to do plumbing in Virginia?
Only if you bid jobs as a business. Plumbing Contractors need a Class A, B or C contractor license, and it’s required for projects over $1,000.
Who gives the Virginia plumbing exams?
PSI. You need pre-approval first, then you can schedule at 855-340-3910 or online.
How much continuing education do Virginia plumbers need?
3 hours for each renewal.
Does Virginia accept out-of-state plumbing licenses?
Virginia has an agreement with Washington for Journeyman and Master licenses. Others may qualify through Universal License Recognition.
Sources
Official sources for the Virginia plumber license
- Virginia DPOR, Tradesmen program
- DPOR, Individual License and Certification Regulations (PDF)
- DPOR, Tradesmen reciprocal agreements (PDF)
- DPOR, Universal License Recognition
- Virginia DHCD, 2021 Virginia Construction Code (PDF)
- PSI, candidate scheduling
- DPOR, Tradesman Exam & License Application (PDF)
- DPOR, Residential Tradesman Exam & License Application (PDF)
- DPOR, Tradesmen program exam fees
- Virginia Administrative Code, 18VAC50-30-90 Fees for licensure and certification
- Virginia Administrative Code, 18VAC50-30-120 Renewal
- Virginia Administrative Code, 18VAC50-30-130 Reinstatement
- DPOR, Contractor License Application (PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.