Licensing Guides
District of Columbia Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in Washington DC
Plumbing, DC
Table of Contents
Plumbing License Requirements for Plumbers in Washington, D.C.
Steps to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Washington, D.C.
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in Washington, D.C.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Washington, D.C.?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in Washington, D.C.?
Who Issues Plumbing Contractors Licenses in Washington, D.C.?
Does My Washington, D.C. Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in Washington, D.C.?
How Can Someone Verify My Plumbing License in Washington, D.C.?
When Can a Plumbing License Be Suspended in Washington, D.C.?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in Washington, D.C.?
You can’t rush through the training it takes to become a plumber, but that time and effort can lead to a career that is long-lasting, lucrative, and fulfilling. Almost every state requires plumbers to be licensed because it’s complicated work that affects the health and safety of our society.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 504,500 plumbers nationwide, and Washington, D.C., employs 640 of them. The national number is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, adding 44,000 plumbers to the ranks across the country. In Washington, D.C., according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is slightly higher at 6% for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals, while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in D.C. in July 2025 totaled 14,900, an increase of 400 (3%) from July 2024 and a decrease of 700 or -4% from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from.
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Licensing requirements for plumbers vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. Washington, D.C., has strict standards for working in the plumbing business, beginning at the apprentice level.
Plumbing License Requirements for Plumbers in Washington, D.C.
Is a license required for plumbers in Washington, D.C.? Yes, and it is mandated from the very beginning.
The District of Columbia licenses plumbers as they do electricians and HVAC professionals through the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Specifically, these tradespeople are licensed through the DC Board of Industrial Trades, which was established “to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the District by ensuring that individuals engaged in these trades have the specialized skills and training required to perform such services for the public.”
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Washington, D.C.
What are the different types of plumber licenses in Washington, D.C.?
There are four main plumbing licenses in the District. They include:
Apprentice — An individual who is employed by a licensed plumbing contractor and is engaged in learning the plumbing trade under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber. An apprentice assists in the installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems while progressing toward completion of an approved apprenticeship or training program.
Journeyman — An individual who is licensed to perform plumbing work while employed by and working under the supervision of a licensed master plumber or plumbing contractor. A journeyman plumber is qualified to install, alter, maintain, and repair plumbing systems in accordance with District codes but may not operate an independent plumbing business.
Master — An individual who is licensed to plan, lay out, supervise, and perform plumbing work and who is knowledgeable of District of Columbia plumbing laws, regulations, and codes. A master plumber may supervise journeyman and apprentice plumbers and is responsible for ensuring that plumbing work complies with all applicable requirements.
Contractor — A person or business entity that is licensed to engage in the business of plumbing in the District of Columbia and to enter into contracts for plumbing services. A plumbing contractor assumes responsibility for the work performed, including code compliance, permitting, and supervision of licensed plumbers and apprentices.
Each license has specific requirements.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
Apprentice
Must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
Apply for an apprentice license.
Pay $65 application fee and $110 license fee.
May perform work only under the supervision of a licensed master or journeyperson. An apprentice must not knowingly perform work for an unlicensed contractor.
Journeyman
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must complete a nationally certified apprenticeship program (8,000 hours over four years), or
Must be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a degree in mechanical engineering, and have at least two years of practical experience as a plumber or gasfitter as verified by a licensed master plumber or licensed master gasfitter
Pass exam if the applicant has not completed an apprenticeship program.
Must file an application and submit appropriate fees.
Master Plumber
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have 8 years (16,000 hours) of experience.
Pass exam.
Must file an application and submit appropriate fees.
Contractor
Must be at least 18 years old.
Hold a Master Plumber license or employ a Master Plumber.
Must file an application and submit appropriate fees.
Must hold a $5,000 surety bond and liability insurance.
Steps to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Washington, D.C.
Typically be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Enroll in an approved apprenticeship program that combines four years of training with classroom instruction; or work for a licensed master plumber or master gasfitter as an apprentice plumber or gasfitter for at least 8,000 hours over at least four years; or graduate from an accredited college or university with a degree in mechanical engineering, and work for a licensed master plumber or master gasfitter for at least two years.
Apply to sit for the Washington, D.C., Journeyman examination unless you apply for a journeyman license by waiver because you’ve completed a national certifying organization’s apprenticeship and can provide documentation of completion and passing the organization’s exam.
Work for at least four years under direct supervision of a licensed master plumber.
Apply to the Board of Industrial Trades to take the master plumber exam and pay application fee.
Upon approval from the board, pay a testing fee and pass the exam to be awarded your master license.
If you wish to own your own plumbing contracting business, you must be licensed as a contractor and hold a master license. You must also purchase and maintain a $5,000 surety bond. This bond must be renewed every two years along with both of your licenses.
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in Washington, D.C.
There are many benefits to getting your Washington, D.C. plumbing license:
Most importantly, it is required by law in Washington, D.C., to be licensed through the state to legally perform any plumbing work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed plumbing contractors can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market and increases your earning potential as you acquire more experience.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Plumber in Washington, D.C.?
The annual mean wage for a plumber in Washington, D.C., is $83,840, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that salary can increase as you acquire more experience.
Salaries can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What Business Owners Need to Know
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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Washington, D.C.?
It can cost very little to get started as a plumber in Washington, D.C. Apprenticeships can be almost entirely sponsored by an organization, whether it’s a union, trade organization, or employer. The apprenticeship program through UA Local 5 requires a non-refundable $50 test fee when you apply. Likewise, there is a $50 non-refundable application processing fee for the apprentice program through the Steamfitters Local 602 JATC.
Each level of license application through the District of Columbia costs $65. In addition to that original application fee, an apprentice license is $110. All journeyman licenses are $110. Master and contractor licenses are $120. The journeyman or master exam fee is $52.
Renewal of an apprentice or journeyman license is $110. Renewal of the master license costs $155, and renewal of a contractor license costs $180.
A benefit of this career, however, is that you will be earning while you’re learning from the very first day on the job with pay increases as you gain more expertise.
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How to Get a Plumbing License in Washington, D.C.
Becoming a plumbing professional in Washington, D.C., isn’t fast, but it’s very straightforward. To enter the plumbing field in D.C., you need to learn and gain work experience. Washington, D.C., offers a few options for this but has rigid requirements before permitting applicants to test for licensing. Apprenticeship is the preferred path to working in the plumbing field in the District.
APPRENTICESHIP: Apprenticeships are sometimes referred to as “The Other Four-Year Degree,” because it’s like college for the trades. If you get one of the coveted apprentice openings through your local United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs, it’s like getting a scholarship to college. Local 5 offers a five-year apprentice program that covers all aspects of the plumbing and gasfitting industry, including welder certification. The apprenticeship through UA Local 602 covers all aspects of pipefitting, welding, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration, whether for construction or service and maintenance, and is also five years long. These openings are very competitive.
Alternatively, you can find an apprenticeship through the District of Columbia Office of Apprenticeship Training. The website explains the benefits of apprenticeship, the application process, and allows you to search for both non-union and union sponsors. Or, you can find an entry-level job and ask your employer to act as your apprentice sponsor. If your employer agrees to register you with the District’s Apprenticeship program, which meets the U.S. Department of Labor standards that are recognized nationwide, your credentials move with you. You will be required to attend classes at night or on weekends to get the requisite theoretical training, but you’ll be getting your academic instruction in tandem with your practical experience, and you probably won’t be paying for all of it.
APPLY FOR EXAMINATION/LICENSE: You can receive your Washington, D.C., Journeyman by Waiver license without taking the journeyman exam if you complete an apprenticeship and receive a certificate from a national certifying organization, including a nationally recognized trade organization, non-union sponsor, or labor union that is registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, the U.S. Department of Labor, or the District of Columbia Apprenticeship Council. Alternatively, you can apply for your journeyman license by examination by submitting an Employment Verification Letter signed by a licensed master plumber.
After meeting the four-year and 8,000-hour experience requirements verified by a licensed master plumber or completing a registered apprenticeship or earning a degree in mechanical engineering and working for at least two years for a licensed master plumber or licensed master gasfitter, you may apply to the board for approval to take the journeyman plumber exam. The application fee is $65, and the initial license fee is $110. You’ll use the DCRA online application portal and will need to submit the following:
One 2”x2” passport-style photo (JPEG format)
Government-issued identification card (e.g., driver’s license)
Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees
Certificate of completion
Employment Verification Letter
Once you pass the exam, which is detailed below, you will receive your journeyman license.
WORK EXPERIENCE/APPLY FOR MASTER LICENSE: No matter what path you took to get to journeyman status, you will need to work as a licensed journeyman plumber or journeyman gasfitter for at least four years before being eligible to test for a master license. Again, you will need to apply to the board for approval to take the master plumber exam. The application fee is $65, and the initial license fee is $155. You’ll use the DCRA online application portal and will need to submit the same documents as above, but the Employment Verification Letter will provide proof of your four years of journeyman work.
Once you pass the master level exam, which is described later, you will receive your master license.
CONSIDER BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: If you wish to own your own plumbing business in Washington, D.C., then you will also need to get your plumbing contractor license. To get this type of contractor license, you must hold the master plumber license or employ someone who does. Contractors also need to purchase and maintain a $5,000 surety bond.
RENEW: You must renew any of these licenses every two years. They expire on March 31 of even-numbered years.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in Washington, D.C.?
It takes four years to earn a journeyman license, and another four years to qualify for a master license. If you choose to become a contractor, the application process will take additional time. The great news is that as an apprentice you begin earning a wage from the very beginning, and that compensation goes up each year as you acquire more training and knowledge until you are fully licensed at the journeyperson level. Then it goes up again when you acquire your master license. As a licensed contractor you can be your own boss and grow your business as much as you want.
Washington, D.C., Plumber Training Programs and Schools
Plumbers are responsible for a lot more than just fixing leaks or clogs. They design, install, and renovate systems that carry liquids or gasses, so they must know more than just the mechanics. They must know plumbing code.
Most plumbing professionals begin their career journey in the District as a registered apprentice of a union or trade organization or an employer sponsor. For this reason, most will not choose to get a postsecondary degree, but rather will take classes as part of an approved apprenticeship. Typically you will find an employer first and then register for classes through a vocational-technical school. However, if you have trouble finding an entry-level plumbing job, you can take a pre-apprenticeship or introduction to plumbing course to make you a more attractive job candidate. Additionally, vocational-technical schools may have career services departments to assist you with employment with a sponsor.
As stated above, both Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) in Maryland and Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) have plumbing programs. The PVCC program begins with an Introduction to Construction course. This entry-level course is the recommended first course for all trades students and a prerequisite to most specialty courses. Topics include basic safety, construction math, introduction to hand and power tools, construction drawings, basic rigging, communication skills, employability skills, and material handling. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to sit for the Introduction to Construction credential exam offered by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). The remainder of the program is Plumbing Level 1, 2,3, and 4. Each is followed by the appropriate NCCER credential exam. The plumbing program at Prince George’s Community College is structured similarly.
Apprenticeship: UA Local 5 offers a five-year union apprenticeship in cooperation with the Washington, D.C., Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC). Steamfitters Local 602 offers an apprenticeship through the JATC too. There are also non-union plumbing apprenticeships offered through Associated Builders and Contractors of Metro Washington.
The District of Columbia also maintains an apprenticeship website to help apprentices find openings and help employers find apprentices. The site includes a list of current registered apprenticeship programs. Many employers will also sponsor you in an apprenticeship. You can seek them out through job boards like Glassdoor and Indeed.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job you will need good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have some mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces.
Washington, D.C., Plumbing Contractor Licensing Exam Details
The District of Columbia has contracted with PSI Exams, a third-party testing service, to conduct its licensing examinations. Applicants for any of the plumbing licenses must first apply for approval to take the examination from the Board of Industrial Trades. You will need to submit an application with a Certificate of Completion from your registered apprenticeship or Employment Verification Letter signed by a licensed master, and the $65 application fee.
Upon approval, you will receive a notice of eligibility to take the examination. Registration for the examination can be completed online or by calling (855) 557-0616. The eligibility period will be for 30 days, and you will be able to test one time during that 30-day period. Examination fees must be paid by credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover) at the time the reservation is made, NOT at the test center.
Detailed instructions as well as information about the exam and the reference materials you should study are all in the Candidate Information Bulletin.
The Master Plumber and Journeyman Plumber exam are all open-book and based on the International Plumbing Code and International Fuel Gas Code.
The Master Plumber and exam is made up of 100 multiple choice questions with a time limit of four hours. The Journeyman Plumber exam has 70 questions, and you are given three hours to complete it. Both exams contain questions about the following content areas:
Plumbing Fixtures and Terminology
Plumbing Fundamentals
Traps, Cleanouts, and Interceptors
Special Requirements
Drainage Requirements
Vent Requirements
Water Distribution
Plan Reading
Computer testing is administered frequently at the following address:
District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street SW Suite E 500 Washington, D.C. 20024
You will be told if you’ve passed immediately following completion of the examination.
Who Issues Plumbing Contractors Licenses in Washington, D.C.?
District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades licenses plumbers, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, electricians, asbestos workers, steam and operating engineers, and those in the elevator trades.
Does My Washington, D.C., Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
Washington, D.C., offers license reciprocity with the state of Maryland. Reciprocity allows plumbers to bypass exams, but they must still apply, pay fees, and meet local requirements
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C.’s reciprocity agreement applies to plumbing licenses issued by the state of Maryland. While exams may be waived, applicants must still complete the full application process. Requirements generally include:
Submitting a plumbing license application to the District of Columbia
Providing proof of a current, active Maryland plumbing license
Submitting license verification or a certificate of good standing from the Maryland licensing authority
Paying all applicable District licensing and application fees
Meeting all local business, insurance, bonding, and regulatory requirements
Plumbers licensed in states other than Maryland are not eligible for reciprocity and must meet Washington, D.C.’s standard licensing requirements, including examination.
Plumbing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications) and other professional certifications are not required but may make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers or can increase your marketability to customers.
Other Requirements Unique to Washington, D.C.
In addition to holding a plumbing license, plumbing contractors in Washington, D.C., must obtain a Basic Business License (BBL) from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) before legally operating or advertising services in the District.
Are There Plumbing Scholarships in Washington, D.C.?
Yes, there are plumbing scholarships in Washington, D.C.
PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarships: Offers, scholarships, including the Brass Craft scholarship, to students in 2-year technical colleges or apprenticeships, as well as employees of PHCC-member contractors.
NAWIC Washington, D.C., Chapter: Though amounts vary and awards shift by year, the National Association of Women in Construction offers scholarships for students in construction-related programs, including electrical and trade education.
SkillsUSA Scholarships: Provides multiple scholarships, such as the $2,500 Fine Homebuilding #KeepCraftAlive scholarship for students in trade-related pathways like plumbing.
World Plumbing Council Scholarship: Offers up to $15,000 for individuals in the plumbing industry for educational exchanges and training, according to the World Plumbing Council website.
How Can Someone Verify My Plumbing License in Washington, D.C.?
The District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) offers an Occupational & Professional License Search where users can look up occupational and professional licenses by name, license number, or status.
When Can a Plumbing License Be Suspended in Washington, D.C.?
A suspended plumber’s license means that the plumber is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that a D.C. plumbing licenses can be suspended are:
Fraud
Professional incompetence
Misleading or deceptive practices
Criminal convictions
Aiding unlicensed individuals
Failure to comply with regulations
Practicing on a lapsed license
Willful or repeated violations of regulations governing plumbing professionals
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Washington, D.C., plumbing license regulations, you can refer to the official Code of the District of Columbia.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in Washington, D.C.?
Unlicensed plumbing work in Washington, D.C., is heavily penalized to protect public safety and property. Penalties include substantial civil fines, criminal misdemeanors, mandatory stop-work orders, and the loss of payment rights for the contractor.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Washington, D.C. plumbing license regulations, you can refer to the official Code of the District of Columbia.
Continuing Education
There is no continuing education requirement in Washington, D.C., but you will need to maintain your license through renewal. To keep your journeyman, master, or contractor license current, you will need to renew it every two years by the expiration date of March 31 of even-numbered years.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all Plumbing industry news in several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog
Read about the latest industry trends
Listen to top plumbing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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