Blog

According to ZipRecruiter, a master plumber in Virginia can earn over $60,000 a year on average, making it a worthy trade to pursue, but becoming a plumber in the state of Virginia requires extensive training and experience before even applying for a license. Even then, applicants must pass a state exam to secure a valid license issued by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). 

Types of Licenses

No matter which license you hope to obtain, you will have to put in a considerable amount of time and effort in preparation. The two main types of licenses available to plumbers in Virginia are journeyman and master licenses, and there are also reasons why you might want to hold a general contractor license as well. 

To obtain any plumber’s license in Virginia, though, you must first be at least 18 years old and have fulfilled both set educational and experience requirements before you can apply. These conditions depend on the amount of experience you already have and are laid out as follows:

• Four years of experience and 240 hours of vocational training
• Five years of experience and 160 hours of vocational training
• Six years of experience and 80 hours of vocational training
• Seven years of experience and 40 hours of vocational training
• Ten years of experience

Formal education will cut down on the amount of experience required to apply for a license. If you earn an associate’s degree (or another applicable two-year degree) from a plumbing program, you’ll only need two years of experience. With a bachelor’s degree in a suitable engineering program from an accredited school, only one year of work experience is required.

With all of that being said, these are the requirements for each license in particular, along with what you can work on with each of them:

Journeyman

Journeyman plumbers are permitted to install, repair, and maintain specific types of plumbing materials and equipment, but they must operate under the supervision of a master plumber.

Master

In order to obtain a master plumber license, you must have already obtained your journeyman’s license and hold at least one year of experience under your belt. Alternatively, if you already have ten years of plumbing experience, you may apply for either a journeyman or master plumber’s license right out of the gate.

Master plumbers can do the same work as journeyman plumbers, but they may operate independently, plan and lay out the details of jobs, as well as supervise journeyman plumbers.

Contractor

A general contractor’s license is a totally separate entity from a plumbing license, and it is not necessarily required to practice a plumbing trade. However, when paired with a master plumber license, it allows you to bid on jobs exceeding $1,000 in value. Class A, B, and C contractor licenses are available, each with specifications regarding the scope of work they permit.

Preparing for Your Exam

Once you’ve met the necessary requirements, you can apply with the DPOR and sit for the state exam required to earn your license. With the right exam prep course, you’ll have the best chance at passing your Virginia plumbing exam and obtaining a license the first time around.

The Plumber Licensing & Exam Prep course from RocketCert is designed by expert educators and industry professionals, offering the convenience of self-paced lessons. Contact us today to learn more and start enjoying the benefits of focused exam prep.