American Trades IndexThe living record of the skilled trade workforce
This page is a free snapshot. Track the same market as it changes, every night: new licenses, contractors adding a trade, and companies going dark.Start tracking

How to get a plumber license in Virginia

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority — sourced from Virginia's official board.

Master detail (1yr as VA journeyman or 10yr) not itemized on the fetched HTML page; verified pathway is by exam/reciprocity.

Issuing authority: Virginia DPOR - Board for Contractors (Tradesman program certifies journeyman/master plumbers; Board for Contractors licenses plumbing contractors). Official page: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/boards/tradesmen

License levels in Virginia

Virginia plumber licensing at a glance

RequirementsJourneyman: multiple pathways including 4 years practical experience + 240 hours vocational training, or 2 years + associate degree/accredited certificate (also 5yr+160hr, 6yr+80hr, 7yr+40hr). Must be 18+ with HS/GED. Pass a statutory/regulatory exam plus a trade exam (PSI). Master: upgrade from journeyman by exam or reciprocity.
ReciprocityMaster upgrade available by reciprocity; exam sites include out-of-state locations (Johnson City TN, Salisbury MD).
RenewalTwo-year cycle; 3 hours CE per cycle on the current trade-specific code (International Plumbing Code).
NotesMaster detail (1yr as VA journeyman or 10yr) not itemized on the fetched HTML page; verified pathway is by exam/reciprocity.

Questions

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Virginia?
Master detail (1yr as VA journeyman or 10yr) not itemized on the fetched HTML page; verified pathway is by exam/reciprocity.
What plumber license levels does Virginia have?
The levels are Journeyman Plumber (tradesman), Master Plumber (tradesman), Plumbing Contractor (Board for Contractors).
How do you get licensed as a plumber in Virginia?
Journeyman: multiple pathways including 4 years practical experience + 240 hours vocational training, or 2 years + associate degree/accredited certificate (also 5yr+160hr, 6yr+80hr, 7yr+40hr). Must be 18+ with HS/GED. Pass a statutory/regulatory exam plus a trade exam (PSI). Master: upgrade from journeyman by exam or reciprocity.
Does Virginia have plumber license reciprocity?
Master upgrade available by reciprocity; exam sites include out-of-state locations (Johnson City TN, Salisbury MD).

Related

Supply
How many plumbers in VirginiaHub
All Virginia trades pages

Sources: www.dpor.virginia.gov · law.lis.virginia.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

Track Virginia licensed supply as it moves.

New licenses, ladder upgrades, classification changes and lapses, by market and credential tier. Read the quarterly free, or license the underlying data.

Get the quarterly IndexSee data plansQuarterly is free, no account. One state $500/month, every state $2,900/month.