Virginia Board for Contractors · checked 2026-10-21
Virginia Plumber License Requirements
Statewide tradesman license issued by the Board for Contractors. Journeyman and master plumber tradesman licenses are set out in the board's tradesman regulations (18 VAC 50-30). Master Plumber Tradesman: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1J · Journeyman Plumber Tradesman 4 years
- 2M · Master Plumber Tradesman 5 years
License levels in Virginia
The Virginia path has 2 steps on this page: Journeyman Plumber Tradesman and Master Plumber Tradesman. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Journeyman Plumber Tradesman | 4 years | 240 h | 4 years | Yes | Original tradesman license $150 |
| M Master Plumber Tradesman | 1 year at the prior level | — | 5 years | Yes | Original tradesman license $150 |
Journeyman Plumber Tradesman (J)
One of seven education and experience pairings: 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade with four years of practical experience (the route used for the time shown here); 160 hours with five years; 80 hours with six years; 40 hours with seven years; no formal training with eight years; an associate degree or two-year certificate with two years; or a bachelor's degree in a related engineering curriculum with one year. Then the board-approved exam. Source: 18 VAC 50-30-39, Qualifications for examination approval (tradesman).
Master Plumber Tradesman (M)
A valid journeyman license in the trade for at least one year, or nine years of practical experience in the trade (residential HVAC and residential plumber tradesmen qualify after three years), then the board-approved exam. Source: 18 VAC 50-30-39, Qualifications for examination approval (tradesman).
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: Journeyman Plumber Tradesman and Master Plumber Tradesman. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
- Journeyman Plumber Tradesman: original tradesman license $150.
- Master Plumber Tradesman: original tradesman license $150.
The $150 original tradesman license fee is the same by examination or without; an additional tradesman designation is $105 and exchanging a locality-issued card for a state license is $110. Exam fees are set separately in 18 VAC 50-30-100, which was not read. Fee source: 18 VAC 50-30-90, Fees for licensure (tradesman).
Reciprocity
The Virginia sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Virginia compares
Among the 25 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top plumber credential, Virginia ranks 21 of 25 from shortest (2 years) to longest (9 years). Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio and Georgia set the same 5 years. The classroom requirement here peaks at 240 hours.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Ohio. All states side by side: Plumber license requirements by state.
Other trades in Virginia
- Electrician: Master Electrician Tradesman: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- HVAC: Master HVAC Tradesman: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Class A Contractor: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Virginia trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the plumber license in Virginia?
Virginia Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Statewide tradesman license issued by the Board for Contractors. Journeyman and master plumber tradesman licenses are set out in the board's tradesman regulations (18 VAC 50-30).
How long does it take to qualify for the Master Plumber Tradesman in Virginia?
5 years by this site's count. A valid journeyman license in the trade for at least one year, or nine years of practical experience in the trade (residential HVAC and residential plumber tradesmen qualify after three years), then the board-approved exam.
Does Virginia have plumber license reciprocity?
The Virginia sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Virginia plumber license fees?
Journeyman Plumber Tradesman: original tradesman license $150. Master Plumber Tradesman: original tradesman license $150.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Virginia Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) | 2026-10-21 |
| J requirements | 18 VAC 50-30-39, Qualifications for examination approval (tradesman) | 2026-10-21 |
| M requirements | 18 VAC 50-30-39, Qualifications for examination approval (tradesman) | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | 18 VAC 50-30-39 (qualifications) and 18 VAC 50-30-90 (fees); Code of Virginia Title 54.1, Chapter 11 | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Virginia source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Virginia Board for Contractors before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.