Plumber License Requirements in District of Columbia
- Training hours
- 8000 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $175
- Exam
- Journeyman Plumber Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Meet the eligibility requirements set by the issuing board. No minimum age requirement for Journeyman Plumber applicants was found in D.C. Official Code § 47-2853.122 or DLCP's application instructions; left null rather than assumed. No formal background-check requirement (e.g., fingerprinting) was found in DLCP's official application materials for this license. [2]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 8000 hours of training. Per D.C. Official Code § 47-2853.122, an applicant must show one of: (1) at least 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as an apprentice plumber/gasfitter; (2) a mechanical engineering degree from an accredited college/university plus at least 2 years of practical experience verified by a licensed Master; or (3) a combination of education and experience the Board deems equivalent. Separately, under § 47-2853.122(b-1), an applicant can bypass both the exam and these requirements entirely by submitting a certificate from a national certifying organization (trade association, union, or non-union apprenticeship sponsor registered with a federal or DC apprenticeship body) showing completed apprenticeship, a passed exam, journeyman designation, and no discipline. [1]
- 3
Journeyman Plumber Examination
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Examination. Scheduled online at psiexams.com or by phone; open-book, with references permitted to be tabbed and highlighted. Not required for applicants using the national-certifying-organization bypass path (§ 47-2853.122(b-1)). DLCP's fee schedule refers examination/re-examination fees to DCMR Title 17, § 3500.3, but no fixed dollar amount for the plumbing exam was confirmed on the Board's own pages reviewed for this record. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades with the $65 application fee. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades issues your Journeyman Plumber License for District of Columbia.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | $65 |
| License fee [2] | $110 |
| Renewal fee [2] | $110 |
| Journeyman Plumber Examination [2] | None specified |
| Master Plumber/Gasfitter license (up to 2 years) [2] | $120 |
| Master Plumber/Gasfitter renewal (up to 2 years) [2] | $155 |
| Contractor license (up to 2 years) [2] | $120 |
| Contractor renewal (up to 2 years) [2] | $180 |
| Late renewal fee [2] | $50 |
Per DLCP's published fee schedule: $65 application fee, $110 Journeyman license (valid up to 2 years), $110 Journeyman renewal. Master and Contractor tiers have higher fees, listed under 'other' for reference. All application/licensing fees are non-refundable per D.C. Code § 47-2853.10, even if the application is withdrawn or denied.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Plumbers and Gasfitters licenses (all tiers, including Journeyman) expire March 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of issuance date. No continuing-education hour requirement for Journeyman Plumber renewal was found on DLCP's Board of Industrial Trades page.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers plumbing. As of October 2025, DC offers reciprocity specifically to Maryland-licensed Journeyman and Master Plumbers/Gasfitters: the applicant must have received their Maryland license by examination (not waiver) and hold it current and in good standing, then submit a Maryland letter of good standing/verification with the DC application, bypassing the DC exam. Reciprocal license costs are $175 for Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter and $185 for Master Plumber/Gasfitter, both expiring March 31, 2026 regardless of issuance date. This plumbing-specific reciprocity is separate from, and narrower than, DC's Maryland/Virginia reciprocity for electricians.
Cost calculator
- $65
- $110
Frequently asked questions
How much experience does DC require for a Journeyman Plumber license?
At least 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as an apprentice plumber/gasfitter, OR a mechanical engineering degree plus 2 years of verified practical experience, OR Board-approved equivalent education/experience. A national-certifying-organization certificate (from a registered apprenticeship sponsor) can bypass both the experience documentation and the exam.
Who administers DC's Journeyman Plumber exam?
PSI Services LLC, under contract with DLCP. It's scheduled online or by phone and is open-book, with tabbed/highlighted references permitted.
What does it cost to get a Journeyman Plumber license in DC?
A $65 application fee plus a $110 license fee (valid up to 2 years). Renewal is also $110 for Journeyman.
How often does a DC Journeyman Plumber license need to be renewed?
Every 2 years — all Plumbers/Gasfitters licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when they were issued.
Can I transfer my Maryland plumber license to DC?
Yes, as of October 2025, DC accepts reciprocity applications from Maryland Journeyman and Master Plumbers/Gasfitters who were licensed by examination and are in good standing — this bypasses the DC exam. Reciprocal license fees are $175 (Journeyman) or $185 (Master).
Sources
- [1] code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/47-2853.122 — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-industrial-trades1 — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] content.govdelivery.com/accounts/DCWASH/bulletins/3f63a45 — accessed 2026-07-12