Virginia Plumbing License Requirements
Yes. Virginia licenses plumbers through the Virginia Board for Contractors, Tradesmen Program (DPOR). It issues apprentice, journeyman, master and contractor credentials.
State plumber license · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | Registered via VA apprenticeship |
| Journeyman | Journeyman Plumber (plus Residential) |
| Master | Master Plumber (1 year as journeyman) |
| Contractor | Contractor with PLB specialty (needs master) |
Requirements
| Journeyman experience | 4 years (or 5, 6, 10-year routes) |
| Classroom hours | 240 (or 160/80 with more years) |
| Exam | PSI tradesman exam |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Fees | Original tradesman license $160 |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 3 hours |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors, Tradesmen Program (DPOR) |
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for DPOR Board for Contractors) |
Board for Contractors tradesman exams (electrician, plumber, HVAC) via PSI; regulations effective July 1, 2026.
- Source: dpor.virginia.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Licensed in another state or the military
| Military experience credit | Yes: honorably discharged veterans may apply equivalent military training, education or experience (Va. Code 54.1-118) |
| Military spouses | SCRA license transfer for duration of orders; expedited processing; 12-month temporary license (Va. Code 54.1-119) |
Service branches reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for license transfer costs; VA reimburses exam fees.
- Source: dpor.virginia.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (Virginia Works) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: virginiaworks.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Plumbing code
| Code in force | 2021 IPC with state amendments |
2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code effective Jan 18, 2024 (2021 I-codes, 2020 NEC, Virginia amendments); mandatory statewide.
- Source: dhcd.virginia.gov · checked November 5, 2026