Plumber License Requirements in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies — State Plumbing Board (DORA) |
| License Type | Residential / Journeyworker / Master Plumber |
| Experience Required | Residential: 3,400 hours (2 years). Journeyworker: 6,800 hours (4 years). Master: 8,500 hours (5 years). All experience must be practical plumbing work. Apprentices must register with DORA. |
| Education Substitute | Not explicitly defined — Colorado requires practical experience hours. Trade school or community college plumbing programs may count toward experience hours at the Board's discretion. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Residential Plumber Exam + Journeyworker Plumber Exam + Master Plumber Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — $10,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 8 hours every year (16 hours per 2-year renewal cycle) |
| Processing Time | Online applications processed immediately upon payment. Mail applications may take 5-7 business days. |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Est. Initial Total | $120 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Residential Plumber application | $100 |
| Journeyworker application | $120 |
| Master Plumber application | $140 |
| Apprentice registration | $30 |
| Apprentice renewal (annual) | $30 |
| Late renewal penalty | $15 |
Renewal: $100 every 2 years (expires last day of February, odd years)
Exam Requirements
Residential Plumber Exam
Journeyworker Plumber Exam
Master Plumber Exam
Exam provider: PSI Services
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam Secrets Study GuideCovers plumbing code, systems, and installation for the journeyman and master plumber exams — organized topic reviews plus practice questions for a first-try pass.See the study guide →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms on the go.See the flashcards →Set up the business before you apply in Colorado
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Colorado. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
Apprentice
Entry level — must register with DORA, works under supervision
Exam: Not required
Residential Plumber
3,400 hours (minimum 2 years) in 1-4 family dwellings, no more than 2 stories above ground
Exam: Required
Journeyworker Plumber
6,800 hours (minimum 4 years) practical plumbing experience
Exam: Required
Master Plumber
8,500 hours (minimum 5 years) practical plumbing experience
Exam: Required
Notes
- All plumbing exams are open-book — IPC and Colorado Plumbing Code references allowed
- Exams based on 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and 2018 International Residential Code
- Plumbing Contractor registration requires employing a Master or Journeyworker Plumber
- Next renewal: all plumbing licenses expire February 28, 2027 (odd years)
- Retakes permitted after 30 days with new exam fee
- 2025 change: SB25-002 exempts factory-built structures from Plumbing Board jurisdiction, but connections to external utilities still require licensed plumbers
How to get a Colorado plumber license: step-by-step
- Register as an apprentice with DORA's State Plumbing Board ($30 application + $30 annual renewal). You must work under a licensed plumber from the start.
- Log your hours. Residential Plumber needs 3,400 hours (2 years minimum). Journeyworker needs 6,800 hours (4 years). Master needs 8,500 hours (5 years).
- Apply for your exam through PSI Services. Application fee ranges $100–$140 by tier. All Colorado plumbing exams are open-book and based on the 2018 International Plumbing Code plus Colorado amendments.
- Sit the exam. Journeyworker is 100 questions over 3 hours; Master is 120 questions over 4 hours. Both require 70% to pass. Retakes are permitted after 30 days with a new exam fee.
- Post your bond and insurance. Plumbing contractors must file a $10,000 surety bond with DORA and carry $500,000 minimum general liability.
- Submit your license application. Online applications process immediately on payment; mailed ones run 5–7 business days. Renewals are biennial, expiring the last day of February in odd years (next: 2/28/2027).
Common reasons DORA denies Colorado plumber applications
- Unverifiable apprentice hours — DORA requires the supervising master plumber's license number and signed verification for every hour claimed
- Wrong tier — applying for Journeyworker with only 3,400 hours of residential work (you'd need Residential Plumber instead)
- Missing 2018 IPC familiarity — exams are open-book, but applicants who don't bring the IPC and Colorado Plumbing Code to the test routinely fail
- Insurance certificate naming an entity other than the licensed contractor (common when working under a parent LLC)
- Continuing education shortfall at renewal — 8 hours per year (16 per 2-year cycle) is mandatory, and mailed CE attestations can take 6 weeks to post
You're licensed in Colorado as a plumber — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies — State Plumbing Board issues the Residential / Journeyworker / Master Plumber; the business that invoices Colorado customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
Colorado requires a $10,000 surety bond. Plumbing contractors must post a surety bond. Amount is $10,000 per the State Plumbing Board. Some sources cite higher amounts ($25,000) for larger operations — verify with DORA for your specific situation. How contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Colorado requires general liability insurance for this license. Plumbing contractors must provide proof of general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000. Workers comp required for all employers; sole proprietors may file a rejection of coverage with the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck plumber businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years (expires last day of February, odd years) at $100. Continuing education: 8 hours every year (16 hours per 2-year renewal cycle)
Other licenses in Colorado
- General Contractor license in Colorado
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Electrician license in Colorado
Statewide license required · $195 in initial government fees · DORA
- HVAC Technician license in Colorado
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Roofing Contractor license in Colorado
No statewide license — check local requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in Colorado?
Yes, Colorado requires a statewide plumber license through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies — State Plumbing Board.
How much does a plumber license cost in Colorado?
The estimated initial cost is $120, including application, exam, and license fees. A $10,000 surety bond is also required.
What experience do I need for a plumber license in Colorado?
Residential: 3,400 hours (2 years). Journeyworker: 6,800 hours (4 years). Master: 8,500 hours (5 years). All experience must be practical plumbing work. Apprentices must register with DORA. Education substitute: Not explicitly defined — Colorado requires practical experience hours. Trade school or community college plumbing programs may count toward experience hours at the Board's discretion.
What exams are required for a plumber license in Colorado?
You must pass the Residential Plumber Exam and Journeyworker Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam exams. A passing score of 70% on all exams is required. Exams are administered by PSI Services.
Do I need a bond for a plumber license in Colorado?
Yes, a $10,000 surety bond is required. Plumbing contractors must post a surety bond. Amount is $10,000 per the State Plumbing Board. Some sources cite higher amounts ($25,000) for larger operations — verify with DORA for your specific situation.
How long does it take to get a plumber license in Colorado?
Processing time is typically Online applications processed immediately upon payment. Mail applications may take 5-7 business days. after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in Colorado?
Yes, 8 hours per every year (16 hours per 2-year renewal cycle) is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in Colorado— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: DORA