Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a Journeyman Plumber license in District of Columbia

District of Columbia licenses plumbers statewide through the Board of Industrial Trades.1 For the Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter license you need at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2, a passing score on the DC Journeyman Plumber / Gasfitter examination (PSI)3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $65 for the application3 and $110 for the initial license3, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years3.

Last checked · 15 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Industrial Trades

Training and experience

Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2

Exam

DC Journeyman Plumber / Gasfitter examination (PSI)3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $653
Initial license fee: $1103

Renewal

Every 2 years3

From another state

License by endorsement4 Details

On this page
  1. District of Columbia plumber licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license
  4. Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license
  5. How much a Journeyman Plumber license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Apprentice Plumber
  9. Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master Gasfitter
  10. Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor License
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Rule changes since January 2024
  14. Common questions
  15. Plumber licenses in other states

District of Columbia plumber licenses

District of Columbia issues 4 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Apprentice PlumberRegistered without exam; works only under the direct personal supervision and control of a licensed master plumber/gasfitter or master gasfitter.2–No2$653
Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman GasfitterA plumber designs, installs, repairs or removes plumbing fixtures, water supply and drainage piping and venting; a gasfitter works on non-industrial gas appliances and piping from the meter outlet to appliance connections.5Experience 8,000 hours2Yes1$653
Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master GasfitterMaster license; apprentices may only work under a master, and every plumbing contractor company must designate a DC-licensed master.2Experience 4 years2Yes1$653
Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor LicenseCompany license for a plumbing/gasfitting contracting business; requires a designated DC-licensed master who supervises the work.6–No6$653

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the District of Columbia plumber licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$653Board of Industrial TradesNot refundable

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years3
When it expires
All plumbing/gasfitting licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years (the current cycle ended March 31, 2026).1
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $507

2. Every license level except Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor License

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old4
Background check
Background check required4
Applicants must not have a conviction directly related to the occupation (determined under D.C. Code 47-2853.17(c-1)(2)).4
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply4
Also required
Unlicensed persons may not call themselves plumber, licensed plumber, journeyman or master plumber or gasfitter.8

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Duplicate or replacement license$303Board of Industrial Trades

How to apply

  1. The Board reviews the application, credentials and payment for eligibility and approval.9

3. Every license level except Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master Gasfitter

Renewal

If it expires
An expired license can be reinstated within 5 years by meeting renewal requirements and paying the reinstatement fee; after 5 years you must apply as a new applicant.10
Inactive status: no renewal fee while inactive; reactivation within 5 years on payment of the fee and current renewal requirements, otherwise treated as a new applicant.11

4. Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter and Apprentice Plumber

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Initial license fee$11037Board of Industrial Trades

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1103

5. Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter and Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master Gasfitter

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI3, when you schedule.

How to apply

  1. Schedule the DC plumbing/gasfitting exam directly with PSI ("test first"); passing does not by itself give you a license.9

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
The Board must waive the exam for applicants licensed in good standing in a state with standards at least as high as DC's that admits DC licensees in a like manner.4
Conditions
No partner-state list for plumbers is published apart from the Maryland reciprocity notice.4

6. Apprentice Plumber and Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor License

Requirements

Exam
Not required26

7. Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master Gasfitter and Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor License

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Initial license fee$12037Board of Industrial Trades

Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license

A plumber designs, installs, repairs or removes plumbing fixtures, water supply and drainage piping and venting; a gasfitter works on non-industrial gas appliances and piping from the meter outlet to appliance connections.5

Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Experience
At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Work as an apprentice plumber or gasfitter for at least 8,000 hours over at least 4 years (or a mechanical-engineering degree plus 2 years verified practical experience, or Board-approved equivalent).2
Supervision: Experience proven by employment verification letters signed by the master, showing length of employment and experience, plus tax records.1
Substitute: Degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college plus at least 2 years practical plumbing/gasfitting experience verified by a licensed master.2
Substitute: Comparable experience or a combination of education and experience the Board deems equivalent.2
Exam
DC Journeyman Plumber / Gasfitter examination (PSI)3
Given by: PSI3
Open-book exam; DLCP study references: International Plumbing Code (2012) and International Fuel Gas Code (2012).1
Exam waived: Exam (and experience proof) waived with a certificate from a national certifying organization (trade organization, non-union sponsor or labour union registered with the US DOL or the DC Apprenticeship Council) showing you completed its apprenticeship, passed its exam and are designated a journeyman.2

How much a Journeyman Plumber license costs

FeeAmountPaid to
Inactive Status: Journeyman$1103Board of Industrial Trades
License verification to another state$303Board of Industrial Trades

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Apply for the journeyman plumber, gasfitter or plumber/gasfitter license online through an Access DC account with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.3 govservices.dcra.dc.gov3

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your District of Columbia Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Apprentice Plumber

Registered without exam; works only under the direct personal supervision and control of a licensed master plumber/gasfitter or master gasfitter.2

Requirements

Experience
No experience required; show employment verification or school enrollment.1

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Inactive Status: Apprentice$1103Board of Industrial Trades

How to apply

  1. Apply for the apprentice plumber/gasfitter license online through an Access DC account with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.3 govservices.dcra.dc.gov3

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Apprentices are registered without examination, so no reciprocity pathway is published.2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master Gasfitter

Master license; apprentices may only work under a master, and every plumbing contractor company must designate a DC-licensed master.2

Requirements

Experience
At least 4 years2
Hold a journeyman plumber or gasfitter license (or meet the journeyman requirements) and work as a journeyman for at least 4 years; the DLCP instructions state 8 years / 16,000 hours in total.2
Supervision: Proven by employment verification letters signed by a master and tax records.1
License you must hold first: Valid journeyman plumber or gasfitter license, or the journeyman qualifications.2
Exam
DC Master Plumber / Gasfitter examination (PSI)3
Given by: PSI3
Open-book exam; DLCP study references: International Plumbing Code (2012) and International Fuel Gas Code (2012).1
Surety bond
$5,00012 (Only when designated as the master for a plumbing contractor company)

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Inactive Status: Master$1553Board of Industrial Trades

How to apply

  1. Apply for the master plumber/gasfitter or master gasfitter license online through an Access DC account with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.3 govservices.dcra.dc.gov3

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1553
If it expires
An expired license can be reinstated within 5 years by meeting renewal requirements and paying the reinstatement fee; after 5 years you must apply as a new applicant.10
Inactive status: no renewal fee while inactive; reactivation within 5 years on payment of the fee and current renewal requirements, otherwise treated as a new applicant.11
A master designated to a plumbing contractor company must submit a $5,000 master bond and the company a $5,000 bond at renewal.13

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor License

Company license for a plumbing/gasfitting contracting business; requires a designated DC-licensed master who supervises the work.6

Requirements

Experience
No experience requirement for the company; it must designate a DC-licensed master plumber who accepts the designation in their own account.6
License you must hold first: Designated DC-licensed master tradesperson.6
Surety bond
$5,00013
Business requirements
Register with the DLCP Corporations Division and hold a certificate of good standing.6
Business requirements
Bond expiration dates must coincide with license expiration dates and include the insurer's power of attorney.6

How to apply

  1. Register the company with the DLCP Corporations Division (CorpOnline) and obtain a certificate of good standing.6
  2. Obtain $5,000 surety bonds for the company and the designated master (with the insurer's power of attorney), running to March 31 of the even year.6
  3. Apply online, select your DC-licensed master and upload the master's bond; the master must accept the designation in their own account.6 govservices.dcra.dc.gov3

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1803

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Out-of-District companies may apply directly; they must be registered and in good standing with DLCP. No reciprocity applies to the company license.6

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3, group 6 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in District of Columbia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in District of Columbia is on the District of Columbia license lookup page.

Look up a license
govservices.dcra.dc.gov3
File a complaint
dcra.kustomer.help3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • October 8, 2025: DLCP announced licensure by reciprocity (no exam) for Maryland journeyman and master plumbers/gasfitters licensed by examination.15

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Journeyman Plumber license in District of Columbia?

The rules set at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my plumber license to District of Columbia?

The Board of Industrial Trades publishes this route for the Journeyman Plumber license: license by endorsement4. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Journeyman Plumber license in District of Columbia?

Every 2 years3. The renewal fee is $1103.

Plumber licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Plumbing-Gasfitting License Instructions (PDF)District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
  2. D.C. Code § 47-2853.122 Eligibility requirements (plumbers/gasfitters)Council of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Board of Industrial TradesDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
  4. § 47–2853.12. License, certification, and registration criteria; waiver. | D.C. Law LibraryCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
  5. D.C. Code § 47-2853.121 Scope of practice for plumbers or gasfittersCouncil of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Trade Contractor Licensing (All Trades) Application InstructionsDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated December 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  7. 17 DCMR 3500 FeesOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Checked November 8, 2026
  8. D.C. Code § 47-2853.123 Certain representations prohibitedCouncil of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Test First Examination Process NoticeDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated July 18, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  10. D.C. Code 47-2853.15Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
  11. D.C. Code 47-2853.14Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Plumbing and Gasfitting Bond Form (PDF)District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
  13. 2026 Plumber License Renewal NoticeDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
  14. DLCP Plumbing and Gasfitting BondDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated October 21, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  15. New Licensure Reciprocity for Maryland Plumbing Professionals in DCDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated October 8, 2025Checked November 7, 2026