Virginia Plumbing License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Virginia has 3 Plumbing license classes. Most renew every 3 years. Renewal fees are about $160 to $270, depending on the class. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education is 3 hours. The details for each class are below.

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 (tradesman)

Plumber Journeyman · State license · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

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Renew on the official site 804-367-8511 (Licensing); 804-367-2785 (Board office)

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 3 hours
Show CE rules
3 hours of CE per designation (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) on applicable building code changes, from a Board-approved provider, as condition of renewal/reinstatement (18VAC50-30-120 C). Gas/LPG/natural gas fitters: 1 hour.
Deadline rule: Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 30-day grace period after expiration to submit the renewal fee and CE; the license is still expired during that time and no trade work may be done. After 30 days the reinstatement fee applies (18VAC50-30-130).

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $160
Late fee: Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Reinstatement available up to 24 months after expiration (CE required); after 24 months new application and current entry requirements (18VAC50-30-130 D).

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: DPOR's reciprocal list includes a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) examination agreement for journeyman and master plumbers and gas fitters. Universal License Recognition may also apply.

Notes

Residential plumber tradesman is a separate residential-scope licence. Renewal fee is $160 per 3-year term (18VAC50-30-120 G); a $7.25 per year Technology Fee applies to certain DPOR fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. DPOR's Tradesmen page says a license must be reapplied for if the fee and CE are not submitted within one year; the regulation allows reinstatement for up to 24 months, so confirm with the Board before relying on the second year.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

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Master Plumber (tradesman)

Plumber Master · State license · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

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Renew on the official site 804-367-8511 (Licensing); 804-367-2785 (Board office)

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 3 hours
Show CE rules
3 hours of CE per designation (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) on applicable building code changes, from a Board-approved provider, as condition of renewal/reinstatement (18VAC50-30-120 C). Gas/LPG/natural gas fitters: 1 hour.
Deadline rule: Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 30-day grace period after expiration to submit the renewal fee and CE; the license is still expired during that time and no trade work may be done. After 30 days the reinstatement fee applies (18VAC50-30-130).

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $160
Late fee: Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Reinstatement available up to 24 months after expiration (CE required); after 24 months new application and current entry requirements (18VAC50-30-130 D).

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: DPOR's reciprocal list includes a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) examination agreement for journeyman and master plumbers and gas fitters. Universal License Recognition may also apply.

Notes

Master: 3 yrs residential plumber tradesman, or 1 yr journeyman, or 9 yrs experience (18VAC50-30-39 D). Renewal fee is $160 per 3-year term (18VAC50-30-120 G); a $7.25 per year Technology Fee applies to certain DPOR fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. DPOR's Tradesmen page says a license must be reapplied for if the fee and CE are not submitted within one year; the regulation allows reinstatement for up to 24 months, so confirm with the Board before relying on the second year.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

Plumbing Contractor (PLB) - Class A/B/C

PLB · State license · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

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Renew on the official site 804-367-8511 (Licensing); 804-367-2785 (Board office)

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: License expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18VAC50-22-110). Renewal fee may be sent no earlier than 60 days before expiration; DPOR counts date received, not postmark.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Renewal must be received within 30 days after expiration to avoid reinstatement (18VAC50-22-130 A). The license is not valid during those 30 days, so no contracting may be performed.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $270
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Renewal received after expiration requires reinstatement: Class A reinstatement fee about $550 (includes the renewal fee) plus Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-160 to -180).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Reinstatement allowed up to 24 months after expiration at the reinstatement fee; after 2 years a new application under current requirements is required (18VAC50-22-160/-170).

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: DPOR-approved agreements are exam waivers only: North Carolina RBC and CBC exam waiver; Ohio Business & Law / Virginia Advanced & General Law exam waiver. Verification of out-of-state license required. No general firm-license reciprocity.

Notes

Firm licence; master plumber tradesman required. Fee shown is Class A ($270); B $260; C $220 (+$30 Recovery Fund). Renewal total is the class fee plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-140). From July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, certain DPOR fees also include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year (2026 House Bill 30). Contractors' license also requires a designated employee/qualified individual and a master tradesman licence for ELE/HVA/PLB/GFC specialties (54.1-1100; 18VAC50-22-61).

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (10)

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

How to renew

1Check your Journeyman Plumber (tradesman) deadline: Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).
2Complete 3 continuing education hours before renewing. 3 hours of CE per designation (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) on applicable building code changes, from a Board-approved provider, as condition of renewal/reinstatement (18VAC50-30-120 C). Gas/LPG/natural gas fitters: 1 hour.
3Renew online at https://www.dporlicensehome.dpor.virginia.gov/datamart/vadporMainMenu.do
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $160, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B).
6Check your Master Plumber (tradesman) deadline: Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).
7Check your Plumbing Contractor (PLB) - Class A/B/C deadline: License expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18VAC50-22-110). Renewal fee may be sent no earlier than 60 days before expiration; DPOR counts date received, not postmark.
8Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $270, but fees change.
9If you miss the deadline: Renewal received after expiration requires reinstatement: Class A reinstatement fee about $550 (includes the renewal fee) plus Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-160 to -180).

Virginia Plumbing renewal questions

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

When does a Virginia plumbing license expire?

Journeyman Plumber (tradesman): renews every 3 years. Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A). Master Plumber (tradesman): renews every 3 years. Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A). Plumbing Contractor (PLB) - Class A/B/C: renews every 2 years. License expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18VAC50-22-110). Renewal fee may be sent no earlier than 60 days before expiration; DPOR counts date received, not postmark. Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Virginia plumbing license need?

Journeyman Plumber (tradesman): 3 hours per renewal. Master Plumber (tradesman): 3 hours per renewal. Plumbing Contractor (PLB) - Class A/B/C: no CE required. Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Virginia plumbing license?

30-day grace period after expiration to submit the renewal fee and CE; the license is still expired during that time and no trade work may be done. After 30 days the reinstatement fee applies (18VAC50-30-130). Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

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

Journeyman Plumber (tradesman): About $160. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Virginia plumbing license expires?

Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Virginia accept plumbing licenses from other states?

DPOR's reciprocal list includes a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) examination agreement for journeyman and master plumbers and gas fitters. Universal License Recognition may also apply. Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) 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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