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Plumber
Total cost: $305
Governing Authority
DC Board of Industrial Trades, under DLCP (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8
Apprentice Hours
4
License Levels
$305
Total Fees
16 hrs
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Code Version
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Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$55
Apprentice registration fee
Journeyman License Fee
$155
Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter license fee; application fee: $110 or $65 (verify); local exam fee: $25
Master Plumber License Fee
$155
Master Plumber/Gasfitter license fee; application fee: $65; surety bond: $5,000
Exam Fee
$25
Local exam fee (DLCP); Journeyman by Waiver path requires no exam
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the DC Board of Industrial Trades, under DLCP (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)
Apprenticeship Program
8
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
8,000 hours over at least 4 years as apprentice plumber/gasfitter; OR accredited mechanical engineering degree + 2 years practical experience verified by licensed master; OR comparable experience/combination deemed equivalent by Board
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Must hold valid journeyman plumber/gasfitter license AND have worked as a journeyman plumber or journeyman gasfitter for at least 4 years
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
Pearson VUE (for computer-based exams) / DLCP Examination Unit (for local exams)
Plumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Open 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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Plumber Licensing Exam
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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.
District of Columbia has 47% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
District of Columbia has below-average plumbers density — strong demand for new plumbers.
District of Columbia ranks #50 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $55 |
Journeyman License Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter license fee; application fee: $110 or $65 (verify); local exam fee: $25 | $155 |
Master License Master Plumber/Gasfitter license fee; application fee: $65; surety bond: $5,000 | $155 |
Exam Fee Local exam fee (DLCP); Journeyman by Waiver path requires no exam | $25 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total for apprentice registration + journeyman license + exam | $305 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (licenses expire March 31 of every even-numbered year)
Renewal Period
16
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Renewal biennial; expires March 31 of every even-numbered year; renewal via DLCP online portal
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept 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 District of Columbia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
DC's Journeyman by Waiver path allows nationally certified plumbers to skip the exam entirely. Formerly under DCRA, now under DLCP. Master requires 4 full years as journeyman.
Formerly under DCRA (Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs), now under DLCP (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)
DC Board of Industrial Trades oversees plumber/gasfitter licensing
Licenses are for 'Plumber/Gasfitter' — combined trade
Journeyman by Waiver path: Nationally certified plumbers can skip the DC exam entirely — significant and unusual
Master requires 4 years as licensed journeyman (not 1-2 years like many states)
Master and Contractor both require $5,000 surety bond
Exams are open book, administered electronically; reference material: IPC
Licenses expire March 31 of every even-numbered year
Permit fees: $26 for first fixture, $20 per additional fixture
Federal buildings may have separate requirements
Plumbers and Gasfitters: Expiration Date March 31, Renewal Year Even
Plumber Schools in District of Columbia
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Plumber requirements in District of Columbia verified against DC Board of Industrial Trades, under DLCP (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06