There are a few important steps to take if you want to become a plumber in Colorado. For general contractors in Colorado, the state does not perform any regulatory function, and you have to obtain your license at the local or municipal level. However, for electricians and plumbers, there are statewide regulations set by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) that you must meet before working as a plumber.
There are three main plumber classifications in Colorado: residential, journeyman, and master plumber. You are required to complete a certain amount of practical work hours before taking the licensing exam for that status. Because you need to have this experience prior to being invited by the State Plumbing Board (SPB) to sit for a licensing exam, you’ll typically start your career as a plumber apprentice.
After completing your apprenticeship, you are free to apply to take the residential plumber licensing exam, which requires two years of full-time experience. Successfully passing this exam does qualify you to work as a plumber in the state of Colorado, but only in one-, two-, three-, or four-family homes that are no more than two stories high. You must obtain journeyman or master status to work as a plumber in other kinds of buildings or to do any planning.
Whether you’re an experienced plumber moving from another state or are looking to begin your career in plumbing, this guide will walk you through the requirements you need to meet to become a licensed plumber in Colorado.
Colorado Plumbing License Reciprocity
If you are already licensed as a plumber in another state, you are able to transfer your license and continue working in Colorado. However, there is no direct license reciprocity; Colorado requires all out-of-state plumbers to be evaluated and verified before you can begin working. There are two ways to transfer your plumbing license to Colorado: license by examination and license by endorsement.
To obtain your license by examination, you must:
- Submit an Affidavit of Experience form, which verifies your level of practical plumbing experience;
- Provide a photocopy of your out-of-state license;
- Apply to take a licensing exam;
- Apply for a temporary work permit, which will allow you to work in Colorado for 30 days without an in-state license;
The SPB will approve or deny your application to take the exam. If approved, you will receive further information from the SPB about how to register for the exam. In Colorado, the exam costs $70 to take and requires you to get at least 70 percent of the questions right to pass. If you pass, you will receive information about how to submit a license application. Once that application is approved by the Division of Professions and Occupations, you will be authorized as a licensed plumber in Colorado.
You can also obtain a plumber’s license by endorsement. You must demonstrate that you have the equivalent credentials and qualifications from another state to work as a plumber in Colorado. The SPB requires you verify the following:
- You have completed a state- or federally-approved apprenticeship program, or have a comparable amount of experience;
- You have successfully completed a comparable out-of-state plumbing examination;
- You have held a state-issued plumbing license for at least six months;
You must submit all of the above information, along with a completed license application and letters verifying your plumbing experience, to the SPB. Once your application is approved, you can begin working as a plumber in Colorado.
Colorado Plumbing License Requirements
Licensing requirements vary greatly by state, and there are a few steps you must take if you are looking to become a residential, journeyman, or master plumber in Colorado. Each status has its own unique requirements, but the process is generally the same. You have to obtain the necessary number of hours of practical work experience, and then you are eligible to apply to take the state licensing exam. Once the SPB approves your application, you must sit and pass the exam. After passing the exam, you must apply for your license; if the SPB approves your license application, you are a licensed plumbing contractor in Colorado.
Residential Plumber License
- To apply to become a residential plumber, you must:
- Have two years, or 3,400 hours, of verified practical work experience.
- Complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, which details all of your previous experience.
- Pay a $100 application fee.
- Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number.
Journeyman Plumber License
- To apply to become a journeyman plumber, you must:
- Have four years, or 6,800 hours, of verified practical work experience.
- Complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, which details all of your previous experience.
- Pay a $120 application fee.
- Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number.
Master Plumber License
- To apply to become a master plumber, you must:
- Have five years, or 9,780 hours, of verified practical work experience.
- Complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, which details all of your previous experience.
- Pay a $140 application fee.
- Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number.
The SPB does not specify any other licensing requirements for plumbers. You are not required to attend a trade school or complete an apprenticeship before applying for your plumbing license — though if you do, you must include all relevant educational information in your application.
Once you have your license, you must continually renew it to continue working. All Colorado plumbing licenses expire on February 28 in odd numbered years. If your license does expire, you can apply online to have it reinstated.
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
All Colorado plumbing license exams are offered by PSI Exams. You must pass the exam to apply to become a plumber, but passing the exam does not guarantee that you will be licensed. The SPB will either approve or deny your application for a license, not the exam itself.
To sit the exam, you must complete the appropriate number of experiential work hours. The SPB will approve your application to sit the exam. According to the Candidate Information Bulletin from PSI Exams, you can register for it online, over the phone, through the mail, or by fax. There is a $75 fee for all license exams; you can pay for this fee either with a credit card, personal check, company check, cashier’s check, or money order. Checks and money orders should be made out to PSI.
There are various testing sites throughout the state, and the test is administered as a multiple-choice exam, completed onsite via a computer. You will receive your results immediately after finishing the exam. Residential and journeyman plumbers need to get 70 percent of the questions correct to pass, while master plumbers need 75 percent.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
The SPB defines an apprentice as “any individual employed in the plumbing trade that is not currently licensed in the State of Colorado.” A licensed Colorado plumber must directly supervise you when working. You must continue to be registered as an apprentice until you become a licensed plumber yourself.
You are not required to work as an apprentice to become a plumber in Colorado. However, an apprenticeship can be a useful way to obtain the necessary practical work hours needed to apply for your license, as they typically take four to five years to complete. Plumbing contractors employ, teach, and sponsor their apprentices. In Colorado, apprenticeship is typically a paid educational opportunity.
All apprentices must register themselves as an individual with DORA, which can be done online with the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations portal. There is no fee for apprentices. You’ll receive a registration card with a number that will remain the same as you move from job to job. Contractors must also register any new apprentices within 30 days of hire. They are required to pay a $30 fee to do so. In addition, contractors are required to notify the SPB if their apprentice terminates employment with the company, also within 30 days.
Colorado Plumbing Apprentice Jobs
There are several ways you can find a plumbing apprenticeship in Colorado:
- Look at job searching websites, such as Indeed or Ziprecruiter, and apply to any listings found there.
- Reach out to local plumbing or general trade unions to see if they are currently looking for any apprentices. Even if they aren’t, they may still have useful information and resources to share with you.
- Apply to plumber apprenticeship programs offered through local colleges or vocational schools.
- Check the Colorado Department of Labor and Education’s Apprenticeship Programs page and reach out to the contacts listed under the plumbing programs.
- If you are currently attending a trade school, make an appointment with your academic advisor or at the career center to ask about opportunities they may be able to offer, or point you in the direction of.
- Consult with any plumbers you know personally, such as a family friend, neighbor, or relative. They may know of open apprenticeship opportunities, have useful contacts, or provide helpful advice about the process.
You never know where you may find the right opportunity, so be sure to explore any and all options available to you.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Colorado
Though it isn’t required to get your license, attending a trade school or vocational program is another way to obtain necessary plumber training. Trade school can be especially helpful when preparing for licensing exams and provide you with a greater number of avenues to seek employment as an apprentice or licensed plumber. There are several plumbing trade schools in Colorado, including:
- Construction Industry Training Council: The Construction Industry Training Council (CITC) is a nonprofit organization that offers training for a number of vocational programs, including plumbing. For tuition information, locations, and registration inquiries, contact the CITC by phone or email.
- Emily Griffith Technical College: The Emily Griffith Technical College is a nonprofit educational institution that offers training for a variety of apprenticeships and vocational programs, including plumbing. Contact the college via email or by phone for information about registration and tuition.
- Red Rocks Community College: Red Rocks Community College is a public community college that offers traditional academic programs, in addition to their vocational programs. For more information about the application process, and tuition rates, you can contact their plumbing program directly.
Colorado Professional License Search
The DORA License Lookup is a search engine that allows you to lookup and verify the credentials of any professional or business, including plumbers. This database provides the business name, license number and its status, city and zip code, and license expiration date.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Plumbing Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Colorado, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
Call Us