Plumber / West Virginia
2026 data West Virginia board official source

West 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.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the West Virginia data shows for Plumbers

West Virginia sets the entry bar for plumbers at 5,135 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 West Virginia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $107 to get started, plus $92 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 1-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, plumbers should know: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
26/100
Plumber · West 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
5,135 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$107
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$92/yr
$92 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 West Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
5,135 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$107
Renewal Fee
$92
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 West Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with West Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia requires 5135 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Journeyman Plumber Exam), and an initial fee of $107. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in West Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed plumber in West Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements including 5135 hours of education and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the West Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to West Virginia 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 West Virginia licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does West Virginia require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
West 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 West Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as a plumber in West Virginia, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $92.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

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

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

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