Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License Type | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Specialist |
Regulating Agency | Vermont Department of Public Safety, Plumber’s Examining Board |
Experience Requirement | Journeyman: 12,000 hours apprenticeship; Master: 12 months as Vermont Journeyman or 14,000 hours experience; Specialist: 4,000 hours experience, 144 hours instruction |
Exam | Required for all licenses; written and practical exam |
Renewal | Every two years; expires end of designated month |
Continuing Education | 8 hours (including 2 hours code review) every two years, plus energy-goals module |
Fees | Master: $120; Journeyman: $90; Specialist: $50; Certificate: $10; Reinstatement: $15 (as of 2026, verify at Section 2193) |
Official Links | Vermont DPS Plumbing Board Homepage | Statutes & Law | Current Plumbing Rules (PDF) |
Who Needs a License in Vermont?
Anyone performing plumbing work in Vermont, except for a few limited exemptions, must hold a valid plumbing license Vermont issues through its Plumber’s Examining Board. If you contract, advertise, or perform any type of plumbing installation, repair, or maintenance outside a listed exemption, regardless of job size or dollar value, you need to be licensed.
The main statutory exemptions are:
Work by an owner or employee on their own owner-occupied single-family dwelling or farm outbuildings
Experimental installations in laboratories under supervision
Plumbing done by students in vocational programs under teacher supervision
Maintenance work by a regular building employee not performed for the public
Importantly, being an employee or subcontractor does not exempt you from Vermont’s licensing law. The key distinction is that only licensed plumbers can perform or supervise plumbing work unless it falls under a specific exception. There is no separate general contractor license, Vermont licenses plumbing professionals, not companies.
Plumbing License Vermont Types
There are three plumbing license Vermont classifications under state law, each with different scopes and prerequisites:
Master Plumber: May contract for, manage, and install all types of plumbing, supervise Journeyman and apprentices, and operate a plumbing business. To qualify, you must have held a Vermont Journeyman license for at least 12 months, or have an equivalent out-of-state license, or document at least 14,000 hours of experience that’s acceptable to the Board.
Journeyman Plumber: May install plumbing under the supervision of a Master Plumber and can supervise apprentices. Must document at least 12,000 hours of apprenticeship training through the Vermont Apprenticeship Council or equivalent affidavits of experience.
Specialist Plumber: Limited license for designated work (such as only water treatment or heating). Requires at least 4,000 hours of experience and 144 hours of classroom instruction for each specialty. Specialist licensees are restricted to their specialty area and may only make plumbing connections as needed for testing.
The Board may allow current Masters or Journeymen to add Specialist endorsements without additional licensing fees, as set out in statute. However, you must document experience and training for each field of specialty you are seeking.
How to Get a Plumbing License Vermont
To obtain a plumbing license Vermont recognizes, you must follow certain steps. Each stage ensures your qualifications and compliance with state plumbing rules.
Choose Your License Type
Decide whether you need to qualify as a Master, Journeyman, or Specialist based on experience and business goals.
Download and Complete the Application Form
Application forms are available from the Vermont Division of Fire Safety’s licensing office. Confirm you use the latest version, as Board rules may change annually. Forms are usually linked on the Board’s website.
Gather Documentation
For Journeyman, this typically includes your Apprenticeship Council certificate or signed affidavits proving at least 12,000 hours of plumbing experience. For Master, you must show proof of Vermont Journeyman licensure for at least 12 months, or provide documentation of at least 14,000 hours experience. For Specialist, affidavits for 4,000 hours plus class instruction proof (typically 144 hours) are required.
Complete the Required Training
All initial applicants (except those only adding a Specialist field to an existing Master/Journeyman license) must complete a short Board-approved energy goals module (up to 2 hours).
Submit Your Application
Enclose all required documentation and payment: $120 for Master, $90 for Journeyman, or $50 per Specialist category. The wall certificate (optional) is $10 extra. Mail your application to the Division of Fire Safety at 1311 US Route 302, Barre, VT 05641-2351. Military applicants may include a fee waiver request.
Board Review and Scheduling
The Board reviews your application at the next regularly scheduled meeting, which generally occurs every 1 to 2 months. If information is missing, the Board may postpone a decision and request more documentation.
If approved, the Board will register you with its exam provider (such as ICC or other national testing vendor). You will then schedule your written and/or practical exam. The exam fee may need to be paid directly to the vendor.
Exam and Licensing
The exam covers plumbing theory, Vermont codes, relevant state statutes, and Board regulations. If you fail, you may retake the exam after paying the fee again. After three failures, further education may be required before a fourth attempt.
Upon passing the exam, paying all fees, and completing all modules, you will be mailed your license card. If requested, a certificate suitable for framing may be issued for $10.
Licenses expire every two years on the last day of your designated month. Keep your continuing education up to date to avoid problems at renewal.
Processing times may vary. In most cases, allow 4 to 8 weeks from application submission to Board approval, depending on when meetings are scheduled. Emergency or temporary licensing can be available in limited circumstances.
Application Requirements
Experience and Age
Journeyman: Show at least 12,000 hours of practical apprenticeship experience. Document your training using a Vermont Apprenticeship Council certificate or acceptable affidavits.
Master: Hold a Vermont Journeyman license for at least 12 months, or, if out of state or with no Vermont experience, provide evidence of at least 14,000 hours of plumbing experience acceptable to the Board.
Specialist: 4,000 hours of experience plus at least 144 hours of specialty-related classroom instruction. Each specialty field (e.g., water treatment, heating) is considered separately.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Bond and Insurance
Vermont’s plumbing license law does not explicitly require a bond or insurance for individual licensees as a condition of licensure. However, contractors should maintain general liability insurance and workers’ compensation to meet building permit requirements, project owner demands, or employer policy.
Background Check and Legal History
Applicants must be of good moral character and not be subject to Board discipline. Any past violations, suspensions, or civil/criminal penalties must be disclosed. The Board reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke licensure for legal or ethical violations under 3 V.S.A. § 129. There is no standalone criminal background check requirement noted in published rules, but all applicants should disclose any prior history honestly.
Apprenticeship Certification
Journeyman applicants must include a certificate from the Vermont Apprenticeship Council or affidavits that detail the employment dates, duties, and total hours. Specialist applicants must provide similar affidavits and classroom documentation for their designated field.
Exams
Exam Format and Content
Every plumbing license Vermont issues (Master, Journeyman, Specialist) generally requires passing a state Board exam. The tests assess technical knowledge, code familiarity, and Vermont-specific legal responsibilities.
The exam generally covers:
Theory and practical aspects of plumbing installation and design
Interpretation and application of the Vermont Plumbing Rules, which incorporate the International Plumbing Code
Vermont statutes (especially Title 26, Chapter 39) and Board regulations
Energy mandates and water conservation rules
The Board typically contracts a third-party national provider, such as the ICC. Exam structure, duration, passing score, and testing center logistics change periodically. Always confirm the current details with the exam administrator provided by the Board.
Exam Scheduling, Failure, and Retake
Upon Board approval, you will be notified how to register for the exam. You may pay the exam fee directly to the testing provider. If you fail, you may retake the exam after paying again. If you fail three times, you must complete additional training before a fourth attempt. Exam waivers sometimes apply for recognized reciprocity or military experience.
No detailed official sample questions, passing score, or exam length is published by the Board. Verify current exam procedures with the Vermont Division of Fire Safety.
Fees
All plumbing license Vermont fees are set by law and must be paid with your application or renewal. As of 2026 (source: 26 V.S.A. § 2193; verify at Section 2193):
Master Plumber License (application and renewal): $120
Journeyman Plumber License (application and renewal): $90
Specialist License (each field, application and renewal): $50
License certificate (framed wall cert, optional): $10
Reinstatement after lapse (within 90 days): $15 plus the renewal fee
Verification of license: $30
Exam fee: Set by testing provider, not greater than the provider’s cost; verify directly with provider
Continuing education provider approval: $100; individual course approval: $25
Military service members and spouses may receive a waiver of the application fee by request and documentation. Fees are collected by the DPS Division of Fire Safety and support regulatory administration. Always confirm the current fee schedule prior to applying or renewing; see the fee statute above or Board website for updates.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
All plumbing license Vermont holders must renew their credential every two years and keep continuing education up to date to stay in good standing. Failure to complete renewal on time can result in penalties or Board discipline.
Licenses expire on the last day of the designated renewal month, two years after issuance. Renewal applications must be submitted with the correct fee ($120 Master, $90 Journeyman, $50 Specialist).
Continuing Education Requirements
Each renewal cycle requires 8 hours of continuing education with Board-approved providers, including at least 2 hours specifically focused on code review. In addition, if you have not previously completed the energy-goals module (up to 2 hours), this is required for renewal. Board rules spell out acceptable CE courses, sponsorship, and approval requirements. Providers must register and pay the appropriate fee (see prior Fees section).
Lapsed or Late Renewal
If you do not renew within 90 days of expiration, you must pay a $15 reinstatement fee (plus the regular renewal fee). If renewal is lapsed more than 90 days, you must appear before the Board for reinstatement approval. The Board may require a corrective action plan if you are missing continuing education or allowed CE has expired. Full re-application is not required unless the Board directs otherwise. Continuing to work without a valid license is subject to discipline and civil penalties.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity is available for out-of-state plumbers who hold a current license in a jurisdiction the Board recognizes as having equivalent requirements. In those cases, the Board may approve licensure by endorsement or allow applicants to skip the examination requirement entirely. The Board reviews on a case-by-case basis, so an application must include evidence of out-of-state experience, exam history, and current licensure status.
Veterans or military members may also qualify for exam waivers if they have served as a plumber (military occupational specialty 12K, for example) for four years active duty, or can document at least 8,000 hours of military plumbing experience. All reciprocity decisions are at Board discretion, and further documentation may be required.
During an officially declared emergency, the Board may temporarily license out-of-state plumbing professionals for up to 90 days, waiving some or all standard requirements. For ongoing work in Vermont, contractors must obtain a permanent license through the regular process once the emergency period ends (temporary/Emergency licensing rules).
Official Links
Vermont DPS Plumbing Board Homepage
Statutes: Plumbers, Chapter 39
Statute: Master Plumber (Sec. 2191)
Statute: Journeyman Plumber (Sec. 2192)
Statute: Specialist Plumber (Sec. 2192a)
Statute: Applications and Fees (Sec. 2193)
Statute: Renewal and Reinstatement (Sec. 2195)
