Plumber / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Plumbers

District of Columbia sets the entry bar for plumbers at 6,292 training hours and a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, with 4 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under District of Columbia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

The initial price tag is $185, and renewal costs $156 every 1 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
17/100
Plumber · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
6,292 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$185
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$156/yr
$156 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
6,292 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$185
Renewal Fee
$156
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in District of Columbia? ▼
In District of Columbia, the license path calls for 6292 education/training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and a $185 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia licenses plumbers who complete its requirements (6292 education hours, 4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the District of Columbia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for plumbers nationally works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into District of Columbia. Verify the specifics with the District of Columbia licensing board.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
Yes, District of Columbia requires a criminal background check as part of the plumber licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in District of Columbia? ▼
To stay licensed as a plumber in District of Columbia, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $156.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in District of Columbia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how District of Columbia's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how District of Columbia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. District of Columbia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.