Virginia Plumbing

License Requirements

NOTICE: Effective February 1, 2008, all individuals applying for a tradesman’s license or individual certification must submit an application directly to the Board for Contractors (the Board) BEFORE taking any required examination.

The examination vendor, PSI, will no longer permit you to sit for the exam unless you have received prior approval from the Board.

• The Board will review the application and, if it determines an applicant is eligible to sit for the examination, notification will be sent to the applicant via regular mail with instructions concerning how to register with PSI and schedule the examination.
• Once an applicant passes the examination, PSI will notify the Board and the license will be sent to the individual’s address of record.

  Journeyman Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Two (2) years of practical experience in the trade AND an Associate Degree or certificate of completion from a two-year program in the trade from an accredited community college or technical school; OR
• Four (4) years of practical experience in the trade AND 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; OR
• Five (5) years of practical experience in the trade and 160 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; OR
• Six (6) years of practical experience in the trade AND 80 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; OR
• Seven (7) years of practical experience in the trade AND 40 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; OR
• Ten (10) years of practical experience in the trade, verified by an affidavit from those who observed the candidates work.

  Master Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• One (1) year of practical experience as a licensed Virginia Journeyman, OR
• Ten (10) years of practical experience in the trade, verified by an affidavit from those who observed the work.
• To become an Plumbing Contractor, A Master must add the Class A or Class B to Master Plumbing license.