Quick Reference Table
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
License Type | Residential Plumber, Journeyworker Plumber, Master Plumber, Plumbing Contractor |
Regulating Agency | Colorado State Plumbing Board, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), DORA |
Experience Required | Residential: 3,400 hours; Journeyworker: 6,800 hours; Master: 8,500 hours |
Exam | Yes, administered by PSI (written multiple-choice) |
Renewal | Biennial; licenses expire last day of February in odd-numbered years. 3-year renewal takes effect March 2027. |
Continuing Education | 8 hours/year (minimum 4 code, maximum 2 safety per 24 months) |
Fees | Residential: ~$100; Journeyworker: ~$120; Master: ~$140; Contractor: ~$210; Renewal: ~$100 (as of June 2026, verify at https://dpo.colorado.gov/Plumbing/Applications) |
Links |
Who Needs a License in Colorado?
Anyone performing plumbing work for compensation in Colorado must meet the official plumbing license requirements in Colorado. This applies whether you install, maintain, or repair plumbing in residential or commercial settings. The requirement is not limited by project size or contract value; all paid plumbing installation, alteration, or repair on potable water, drainage, or gas piping requires an active license of the appropriate class.
The law treats employees and contractors differently. Employees working for a licensed plumbing contractor do not need to register as separate contractors but must be individually licensed if performing journeyman or higher-level work. A Plumbing Contractor registration is required for businesses bidding or contracting plumbing jobs; this entity must employ or be actively overseen by a Master Plumber, who can supervise only one contracting entity at a time. Subcontractors also must hold the relevant license class. Homeowners who live in and do not sell or rent the home being worked on are exempt, provided they obtain permits and pass all inspections.
Most importantly, unlicensed plumbing work is subject to strict enforcement and daily fines. Always confirm you hold the right license for your role and project before starting any plumbing work.
Plumbing License Types
The plumbing license requirements in Colorado cover four major license types. Each represents a step up in skill, responsibility, and legal privileges:
Residential Plumber: Eligible to perform installation and repair of plumbing systems only in residential occupancies. Cannot work on commercial, industrial, or institutional projects.
Journeyworker Plumber: Can install, repair, or service plumbing on both residential and commercial projects. This is Colorado’s widely recognized working plumber license for most job settings.
Master Plumber: The highest technical and supervisory license. Master Plumbers may contract directly or supervise other licensees. Their approval is required for Plumbing Contractor registrations.
Plumbing Contractor: This registration enables a person or company to bid, contract, or advertise as a plumbing business. It requires designation of a Responsible Master Plumber who holds a valid Colorado Master license. The contractor registration itself does not allow hands-on plumbing unless the individual also holds a practitioner license.
All applicants for licensing above apprentice level must show experience, pass an exam, and meet all application requirements. Apprentices must register but do not take the licensing exam until moving up to Residential Plumber or higher.
How to Get Licensed: Plumbing License Requirements in Colorado
To meet plumbing license requirements in Colorado, you must complete a specific series of official steps. Each step is enforced by the State Plumbing Board and requires careful documentation and attention to detail.
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Register as an Apprentice (if you are new to the trade). All plumbers performing hands-on work before meeting experience or exam requirements must register as apprentices through the Board’s application portal.
Determine the correct license class: Residential, Journeyworker, or Master Plumber. Verify you meet the hours of practical experience required for your chosen license using the Affidavit of Experience. For military applicants, up to one year of credit can be documented using qualifying transcripts.
Gather documentation: Collect employer verification, experience affidavits, and any military transcripts. Remember: self-verification is not accepted. Only prior licensed employers or supervisors may verify hours.
Complete and file the online application. Use the official “Original License by Examination and Endorsement” form found on the Board’s Applications page. Ensure all attachments, forms, and fees are included. Incomplete or incorrect applications will delay your process, sometimes for months.
Wait for Board review and acceptance. The average processing time is 14–15 business days, but criminal history, incomplete experience, or education issues can extend this. The Board will notify you of acceptance and send instructions for scheduling the PSI exam. Applications are held for one year, if not completed in that time, they are purged.
Schedule and take your written PSI exam. Passing scores are 70% (Residential/Journeyworker) or 75% (Master). The Board supplies exam outlines and a candidate bulletin after application acceptance.
If you pass the exam, the Board issues your license. If you intend to contract or bid work as a business entity, then file the Plumbing Contractor registration immediately, this requires naming a Responsible Master, submitting the Felony Conviction Form, and completing the Acknowledgment of Responsibility.
Tips and Official Resources
Carefully follow each step in the application checklist published by the Board to prevent delays. Each online action is logged, and you can find all official forms and instructions linked from the Application Documents page. Use the Board’s official website for timely updates and all form downloads.
Application Requirements
To satisfy plumbing license requirements in Colorado, applicants must meet several categories of requirements. Every section below adds an extra layer of compliance, missing any one will delay or block licensing.
Experience and Age Requirements
You must verify your practical work experience strictly according to license class:
Residential: 3,400 hours (roughly 2 years) of hands-on experience.
Journeyworker: 6,800 hours (4 years).
Master: 8,500 hours (5 years).
Each experience claim requires an Affidavit of Experience, signed and verified by your prior licensed employer. For military service, documentation must support your training; the Board allows you to substitute 1 year of experience for every 6 months of qualifying military service, up to a maximum of 1 year total credit.
Background and Character
Every application above apprentice (and all Contractor registrations) must complete the Felony Conviction/Disposition Form. Full criminal background review is performed. The Board examines each case individually, and incomplete or misleading answers will result in delays or denial.
Insurance and Bonding
No general bond is required for individual licenses. For Plumbing Contractors, you must carry all required business insurances: workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance as required by Colorado statutes. Upload proof with your registration if requested. Verify current requirements at the Board’s site. Financial statements or net worth calculations are not a requirement for individual licenses or contractors.
Federal Certifications
There are no federal EPA or refrigerant certifications required by the Colorado State Plumbing Board for plumbing licensure. Verify any specific project scopes with local code authorities if in doubt.
Exams
Completing the relevant licensing exam is a core part of plumbing license requirements in Colorado. Written exams are administered by PSI at approved Colorado test centers.
Exam Format and Content
The exams are multiple-choice and only in English. You must answer technical questions based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), Board Rules and Colorado State Amendments. Exam categories include cross-connection, waste and vent layout, blueprint reading, gas piping, and more. Specific topic outlines by license level are provided in the official PSI candidate handbook after your application is accepted.
Passing Scores
To receive your license, you must score at least:
70% for Residential and Journeyworker Plumber exams
75% for Master Plumber exams
After passing, PSI transmits your scores directly to the Board, which then issues your license number in their online lookup system. If you fail, retesting information and waiting periods are detailed in your acceptance letter and the PSI handbook. For latest exam details, see the official Application & Exam page.
Fees
The plumbing license requirements in Colorado include nonrefundable application and renewal fees for each license type. Fee amounts may change annually; source dates and links are provided below:
Apprentice registration: $30 (as of June 2026, verify at fee schedule).
Residential Plumber application: $100 (as of June 2026, verify at fee schedule).
Journeyworker Plumber application: $120 (as of June 2026, verify at fee schedule).
Master Plumber application: $140 (as of June 2026, verify at fee schedule).
Plumbing Contractor registration: $210 (as of June 2026, verify at fee schedule).
Renewal (every 2 years): $100 (as of June 2026, verify at fee schedule).
Per legislative changes, beginning with Fiscal Year 2026–27, a $4.71 increase applies to original and renewal Plumbing Contractor registration fees. For the most up-to-date listing, consult the official fee schedule on the Board’s application page.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Maintaining your license is a central piece of plumbing license requirements in Colorado. Licenses must be renewed every two years, expiring on the last day of February in odd-numbered years. Starting March 1, 2027, the renewal cycle will shift to every three years for all license types.
Renewal Process and Deadlines
Renewal applications open approximately 6 weeks before the license expiration date. A 60-day grace period allows late renewal with payment of a delinquency fee. If the license lapses for more than 60 days but less than 2 years, you must provide documentation of 8 hours of current continuing education before your credential will be reinstated. Licenses expired more than two years require full re-examination and reapplication.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
The plumbing license requirements in Colorado mandate 8 hours of CE per year to maintain your license. Over any 24-month period, at least 4 hours must be code-related, and no more than 2 hours can be safety topics. Approved providers must attest to your completion, and licensees must retain CE certificates for at least 6 years in case of audit. If you fall behind or renew late, you must complete the full 8-hour requirement before reinstatement. CE hours and topics are enforced by random audit and can trigger fines for noncompliance.
Reciprocity
Colorado does recognize out-of-state licenses via endorsement, but only under strict conditions. If you hold an active plumbing license from another state for at least 6 months, you may apply for a Colorado license via the endorsement process. You must provide license verification from your original state, prove your work and exam history are equivalent to Colorado’s experience and testing standards, and submit an Affidavit of Experience. Out-of-state candidates must also meet background requirements and file the endorsement forms through the main Board portal. To confirm your eligibility for reciprocity, carefully follow the steps listed in the endorsement application instructions.
Official Links
Permits & Inspection Information
Application Documents
