How to get a plumbing license in Virginia
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses plumbing contractors in Virginia. A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000). The Virginia DPOR regulant list: Class A Contractor (list 2701) lists 4,372 active plumbing business records as of October 5, 2026.
Who licenses plumbing work in Virginia
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search plumbing licenses |
| When a license is needed | A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000). source |
| License types | Plumbing Contractor classification (PLB) on a Class A, B or C contractor license, Journeyman Plumber tradesman license, Master Plumber tradesman license, Residential Plumber tradesman license |
How to get licensed
- Apply to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for a credential such as Plumbing Contractor classification (PLB) on a Class A, B or C contractor license, Journeyman Plumber tradesman license or Master Plumber tradesman license.
- The firm's qualified individual must hold a Virginia master plumber tradesman license, earned by passing the PSI journeyman and master exams after Board pre-approval. source
- Experience: 1 years (Master tradesman (needed to qualify the firm): at least one year holding a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience). source
- Post a no bond is required for Class C; Class A and Class B firms may post a $50,000 surety bond instead of proving net worth ($45,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B). source
- Pay the class C initial license fee, with application: $235. source
- Contractor firm license renews every two years; the individual tradesman license (journeyman or master) expires every three years and needs three hours of continuing education per trade. source
Plumbing requirements in Virginia
| Exam | The firm's qualified individual must hold a Virginia master plumber tradesman license, earned by passing the PSI journeyman and master exams after Board pre-approval. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 1 years (Master tradesman (needed to qualify the firm): at least one year holding a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience). source |
| Bond | No bond is required for Class C; Class A and Class B firms may post a $50,000 surety bond instead of proving net worth ($45,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B). source |
| Insurance | No state liability insurance minimum found in the Class A, B or C entry requirements (18VAC50-22-40, 50 and 60); localities may set their own. |
| Renewal | Contractor firm license renews every two years; the individual tradesman license (journeyman or master) expires every three years and needs three hours of continuing education per trade. source |
| Reciprocity | Only an examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) for journeyman and master plumber. source |
| Fees |
|
Hiring a plumbing contractor?
See every official lookup in Virginia, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a plumbing license in Virginia?
- Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses plumbing contractors in Virginia. A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000).
- How do I check a plumbing license in Virginia?
- The Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) keeps the record for plumbing contractors in Virginia. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a plumbing license cost in Virginia?
- $235 (Class C initial license fee, with application). $150 (Original tradesman license fee (journeyman or master), by examination). $160 (Tradesman license renewal fee). $100 (Journeyman tradesman exam fee paid to PSI). $125 (Master tradesman exam fee paid to PSI). $380 (Class B initial license fee, with application). $400 (Class A initial license fee, with application). $25 (Recovery Fund assessment due with each initial license application). $220 (Class C renewal fee). $260 (Class B renewal fee). $270 (Class A renewal fee). $30 (Recovery Fund assessment due with each contractor license renewal). $7.25 (DPOR technology fee per year added to certain fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030). $40 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, one portion). $72 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, two portion). $85 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, three portions or a qualified individual specialty exam).
- How much experience do you need for a plumbing license in Virginia?
- 1 years (Master tradesman (needed to qualify the firm): at least one year holding a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience).
- How often does a plumbing license renew in Virginia?
- Contractor firm license renews every two years; the individual tradesman license (journeyman or master) expires every three years and needs three hours of continuing education per trade.
Other trades in Virginia
- General contractor license in Virginia
- Electrical license in Virginia
- HVAC license in Virginia
- Roofing license in Virginia
- All Virginia trades
Plumbing license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors
- https://dporweb.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup/Search
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1129/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section61/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter30/section39/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section60/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter30/section120/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/Tradesman/Tradesmen%20reciprocal%20agreements.pdf
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter30/section90/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section140/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/RegulantLists
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.