Plumber / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Virginia data shows for Plumbers

To practice as a plumber in Virginia, the state licensing board requires 5,622 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 Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $139 to get started, plus $119 at each renewal 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.

For plumbers, the reciprocity picture is: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
21/100
Plumber · Virginia

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
5,622 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$139
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$119/yr
$119 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
5,622 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$139
Renewal Fee
$119
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 5622 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Journeyman Plumber Exam), and an initial fee of $139. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed plumber in Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements including 5622 hours of education and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for plumbers: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Virginia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Virginia require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
Virginia does require a background check before issuing a plumber license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as a plumber in Virginia, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $119.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

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

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

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