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Plumber
Total cost: $245
Governing Authority
Colorado State Plumbing Board (under DORA — Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
6,800
Apprentice Hours
7
License Levels
$245
Total Fees
8 hrs
CE Hours
2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Colorado amendments (Colorado Plumbing Code)
Code Version
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Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$30
Apprentice application fee ($30); initial registration $30; annual renewal $30; late penalty $15
Journeyman License Fee
$30
Journeyman (Journeyworker) initial license fee; application fee: $140; exam fee: $75 (PSI); annual renewal: $30; late penalty: $15
Master Plumber License Fee
$30
Master plumber initial license fee; application fee: $140; exam fee: $75 (PSI); annual renewal: $30; late penalty: $15
Exam Fee
$75
PSI plumbing exam fee
Renewal Fee
$30
Annual renewal fee for all license types; late penalty: $15
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Colorado State Plumbing Board (under DORA — Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations)
Apprenticeship Program
6,800
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Maximum four years (6,800 hours) of practical experience, verified via Affidavit of Experience Forms from current and former employers
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
5 years / 8,500 hours of practical experience (including at least 2,000 hours AFTER obtaining Journeyman license, per one source — OR 8,500 total hours per official DORA page)
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI
Plumbing Code Version
2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Colorado amendments (Colorado Plumbing Code)
Closed Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 26/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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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.
Colorado has 20% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Colorado has above-average plumbers density — competitive market.
Colorado ranks #16 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice application fee ($30); initial registration $30; annual renewal $30; late penalty $15 | $30 |
Journeyman License Journeyman (Journeyworker) initial license fee; application fee: $140; exam fee: $75 (PSI); annual renewal: $30; late penalty: $15 | $30 |
Master License Master plumber initial license fee; application fee: $140; exam fee: $75 (PSI); annual renewal: $30; late penalty: $15 | $30 |
Exam Fee PSI plumbing exam fee | $75 |
Renewal Fee Annual renewal fee for all license types; late penalty: $15 | $30 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total for journeyman: application ($140) + exam ($75) + license ($30) = $245; Plumbing Contractor registration: $210 (separate) | $245 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedLicenses expire on the last day of February in odd-numbered years (~2-year cycle)
Renewal Period
8
CE Hours Required
$30
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Annual renewal fee; late penalty: $15
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
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 Colorado with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Colorado uses the term 'Journeyworker' instead of 'Journeyman.' Has a Residential Plumber license tier for small dwellings. Mountain communities may have altitude-specific code amendments.
Colorado HAS state-level plumber licensing — some sources incorrectly say it doesn't (confusion because CO lacks a state general contractor license, but it DOES license plumbers statewide through DORA)
Colorado uses the term 'Journeyworker' instead of 'Journeyman'
Residential Plumber scope: one- to four-family dwellings, not exceeding two stories above ground
Apprentice must register with DORA within 30 days of starting plumbing employment
Supervisor must be physically present at same address or within 5 minutes distance
Plumbing Contractor registration: $210, must be or employ full-time a licensed Master Plumber
As of June 30, 2025: Plumbing contractors must display registration and master plumber license numbers on vehicles, bids, and business materials
CE: 8 hours/year (effective 2024) for Journeyman and Master; not required for apprentices
Journeyman exam: 100 multiple-choice, 3 hours, closed book; Master exam: 120 multiple-choice, 4 hours, closed book
Exams now available in Spanish
Background check required for Master, must provide documentation of any criminal convictions
Based on 2018 IPC + 2017 Colorado Plumbing Code + Board Rules/Regulations
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Official Sources
Plumber requirements in Colorado verified against Colorado State Plumbing Board (under DORA — Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations), April 2026.
Official regulatory agency — added during plumber audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06