Kentucky Plumbing License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Journeyman Plumber (Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet) renews every year, has a renewal fee of about $60 and requires 6 hours of continuing education. The Master Plumber (Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet) renews every year, has a renewal fee of about $250 and requires 6 hours of continuing education. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Journeyman Plumber

Journeyman Plumber · State license · Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet

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Renew on the official site (502) 573-0365

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: 6 hours
Show CE rules
6 hours of approved CE in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010); same carryover and safety limits as master plumber.
Deadline rule: Last day of birth month each year (KRS 318.054).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 180 days after expiration, then the license is automatically canceled.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $60
Late fee: Revival fee of about $3 added to the renewal fee (KRS 318.054(4)).
Reinstatement: After cancellation: all delinquent renewal fees plus a $6 revival fee. Inactive about $30; reactivation about $30 plus renewal requirements.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: See master plumber; no reciprocity agreements are listed in the plumbing rules.

Notes

Fees from 815 KAR 20:030 and KRS 318.054. Renewals can be filed online through the DHBC HBC Online portal or by mailing Form DHBC L-1.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

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Master Plumber

Master Plumber · State license · Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (502) 573-0365

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: 6 hours
Show CE rules
6 hours of approved CE in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010; KRS 318.054(2)); excess hours carry forward up to 12 total; no more than 2 hours of safety topics count. Topics: business, job safety, Kentucky State Plumbing Code or plumbing trade subjects. Proof is submitted with Form DHBC L-1.
Deadline rule: Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month each year (KRS 318.054); DHBC sends notice at least 30 days before expiration.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 180 days after expiration to renew with the revival fee and CE; if not paid within 180 days the license is automatically canceled.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $250
Late fee: A master plumber who renews late pays the renewal fee plus a $5 revival fee and must show completed CE (KRS 318.054(4)).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After cancellation, the license may be reinstated on payment of all delinquent renewal fees plus a $10 revival fee (KRS 318.054(4)). Inactive status about $125; reactivation about $125 plus renewal requirements (815 KAR 20:030 Sec. 4).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability insurance of at least $250,000 plus proof of compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws (KRS 318.030(2)). Proof must be submitted before issuance or renewal of the active master plumber license, and the license is not valid without it.
Reciprocity: No reciprocity agreements are listed in the plumbing rules. 815 KAR 20:030 Section 2 lets an applicant qualify for the master plumber exam with a valid plumbing license from another state held 2 of the last 5 years; the Kentucky exam still applies. Ask the DHBC Division of Plumbing.

Notes

Fees from 815 KAR 20:030 Sec. 4 and Form DHBC L-1; late and reinstatement amounts from KRS 318.054. No surety bond is required by the plumbing statute. The master plumber license is used to pull permits, so a plumbing company needs one on staff. DHBC sends a renewal notice at least 30 days before expiration. Renewals can be filed online through the DHBC HBC Online portal (a license must be within 60 days of expiration to appear for renewal) or by mailing Form DHBC L-1. DHBC licensing phone (502) 573-2002.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Kentucky Plumbing continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Journeyman Plumber deadline: Last day of birth month each year (KRS 318.054).
2Complete 6 continuing education hours before renewing. 6 hours of approved CE in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010); same carryover and safety limits as master plumber.
3Renew online at https://dhbc.ky.gov/HBCOnline/login
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $60, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: Revival fee of about $3 added to the renewal fee (KRS 318.054(4)).
6Check your Master Plumber deadline: Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month each year (KRS 318.054); DHBC sends notice at least 30 days before expiration.
7Complete 6 continuing education hours before renewing. 6 hours of approved CE in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010; KRS 318.054(2)); excess hours carry forward up to 12 total; no more than 2 hours of safety topics count. Topics: business, job safety, Kentucky State Plumbing Code or plumbing trade subjects. Proof is submitted with Form DHBC L-1.
8Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
9Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $250, but fees change.
10If you miss the deadline: A master plumber who renews late pays the renewal fee plus a $5 revival fee and must show completed CE (KRS 318.054(4)).

Kentucky Plumbing renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Kentucky plumbing license expire?

Journeyman Plumber: renews every year. Last day of birth month each year (KRS 318.054). Master Plumber: renews every year. Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month each year (KRS 318.054); DHBC sends notice at least 30 days before expiration. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Kentucky plumbing license need?

Journeyman Plumber: 6 hours per renewal. Master Plumber: 6 hours per renewal. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Kentucky plumbing license?

180 days after expiration, then the license is automatically canceled. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Kentucky plumbing license?

Journeyman Plumber: About $60. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Kentucky plumbing license expires?

Revival fee of about $3 added to the renewal fee (KRS 318.054(4)). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Kentucky accept plumbing licenses from other states?

See master plumber; no reciprocity agreements are listed in the plumbing rules. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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