Plumber / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania data shows for Plumbers

To practice as a plumber in Pennsylvania, the state licensing board requires 6,270 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Pennsylvania's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Upfront cost is $183, with renewal running $155 on a 1-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
17/100
Plumber · Pennsylvania

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
6,270 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$183
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$155/yr
$155 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
6,270 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$183
Renewal Fee
$155
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania's requirements cover 6270 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $183. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Pennsylvania? ▼
To become a licensed plumber in Pennsylvania, you must meet the state's requirements including 6270 hours of education and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Pennsylvania licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
Plumber licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
Yes, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania ties continued plumber licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 1 year, alongside a $155 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

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

  • See how Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Pennsylvania overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Pennsylvania 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.