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Plumber
Governing Authority
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber licensing board. The PA Department of Labor & Industry administers the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), but does not issue plumber licenses. Licensing is handled at the local (municipality/county) level.
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
No
State Licensed?
N/A
Apprentice Hours
N/A
License Levels
Varies
Total Fees
None
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Code Version
No state licensing fees reported for plumbers in Pennsylvania. Check with your local jurisdiction for any municipal licensing requirements.
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
local
Local Jurisdictions Handle Licensing
Regulated by the Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber licensing board. The PA Department of Labor & Industry administers the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), but does not issue plumber licenses. Licensing is handled at the local (municipality/county) level.
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide plumber license. All licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. Requirements, exams, fees, and renewal rules vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department for exact requirements.
Apprenticeship Program
—
Total Hours
—
Duration
—
Classroom Hours
—
OJT Hours
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Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Exam requirements are set by individual municipalities. The information below represents common standards across jurisdictions.
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
Not RequiredMaster Exam
Not RequiredPlumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
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Overall licensing difficulty: 18/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Pennsylvania has 25% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Pennsylvania has below-average plumbers density — strong demand for new plumbers.
Pennsylvania ranks #44 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality | Varies |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedN/A
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Plumbing licensing in this state is administered at the local or municipal level, not the state level. Requirements, fees, and exam details vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department or plumbing board for specific requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Licenses
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber license. Philadelphia uses ICC exam referencing its own city code. Pittsburgh has exams only twice a year. Licenses don't transfer between jurisdictions. Most require 5-7 years total before master eligibility.
Pennsylvania does NOT have a statewide plumber licensing body — one of 6 states without state-level plumber licenses (with KS, MO, NE, NY, WY)
All licensing handled at city/county/township level; a license from one PA jurisdiction doesn't automatically transfer to another
State building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) — administered by PA L&I
Philadelphia: Dept of L&I, uses ICC exam referencing Philadelphia Code; apply online via eCLIPSE portal
Philadelphia fees: Journeyman app $25 + exam $133 + license $100-$125; Master exam $250-$265 + license $100-$375
Philadelphia may accept proof of similar authorization from other jurisdictions with equal/greater requirements (subject to approval)
Application must be submitted within 12 months of passing exam
Pittsburgh/Allegheny County: Health Department issues licenses; exams twice a year over two days
General PA requirements: Apprentice 4+ years (2,000 hrs/yr OJT + 224 hrs/yr classroom); Journeyman ~4 years apprenticeship + exam; Master ~2 years as journeyman, age 21+, 5-7 years total
Most jurisdictions require 5-7 cumulative years before master exam eligibility
Uses IPC as adopted under PA UCC (with local amendments)
No statewide or interstate reciprocity; individual municipalities may accept licenses from other PA cities if training requirements equal/greater
Typical renewal: annual or biennial, fees $50-$100
Plumber Schools in Pennsylvania
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Official Sources
Plumber requirements in Pennsylvania verified against Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber licensing board. The PA Department of Labor & Industry administers the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), but does not issue plumber licenses. Licensing is handled at the local (municipality/county) level., April 2026.
Official regulatory agency — added during plumber audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06