How to get a Journeyman Plumber license in Utah

Utah plumber licenses

Utah issues 7 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Utah 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 7)

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁴

2. Every license level except Apprentice Plumber

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

3. Every license level except P200 - General Plumbing Contractor and P201 - Residential Plumbing Contractor

Requirements

Background check

DOPL links criminal history guidelines and an Application for Criminal History Determination from its plumbing pages.⁷
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply³

Fees

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

Renewal

When it expires

All plumber licenses (apprentice, journeyman, master, residential journeyman, residential master) expire November 30 of even-numbered years (current cycle ends November 30, 2026). Renewal is online.²

Renewal fee

$63³ (Per individual plumber license, two-year term)

Continuing education

12 hours each renewal period⁵

Approved courses

Course provider must be an accredited college or university, a state or federal agency, a construction-trades professional association, or a commercial CE provider offering plumbing-trade programs; content must be relevant to the plumbing trade and consistent with Utah law. Lecturers earn 2 hours per hour taught.²

Exemptions

DOPL may defer or waive CE for instructors of an approved plumbing training program, Plumbers Licensing Board members who regularly attend, and any licensee under R156-1-308d.²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $20³ (renewal filed within 30 days after expiry (renewal fee + late fee, R156-1-308g(1)))
Reinstatement fee: $50³ (reinstatement 31 days to 2 years after expiry (renewal fee + reinstatement fee, R156-1-308g(2)))

If it expires

Up to 30 days after expiry: renewal form plus renewal fee and a late fee.¹¹
31 days to 2 years after expiry: renewal form plus renewal fee and reinstatement fee.¹¹
More than 2 years after expiry: apply as a new applicant meeting current qualifications (unless continuously active under another US license or federal employment).¹¹

From another state

4. Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Plumber and Residential Journeyman Plumber

How to apply

Apply online

utahdoc.mylicenseone.com¹²¹³

Application form

Form (PDF, dopl.utah.gov)¹²¹³

5. Master Plumber and Residential Master Plumber

Requirements

Exam

Utah Plumber Law and Rule Exam²
Given by: Prov, Inc. (DOPL links the Prov Candidate Information Bulletin; no DOPL pre-approval for testing).⁷
Passing score: At least 75%.²
When you can take it: After completing the education/experience requirements.²
Utah Master Plumber Law and Rule Exam⁷
Retakes: Retake no sooner than 30 days after a failure, up to six failures; after that, no sooner than 120 days after each failure.²

How to apply

1. Apply to DOPL with the fee.³

6. P200 - General Plumbing Contractor and P201 - Residential Plumbing Contractor

Requirements

Education or training

25 classroom hours⁸
25-hour pre-licensure course from an approved provider, completed by the qualifier: 15 hours financial responsibility, 6 hours construction business practices, 2 hours regulatory requirements, 2 hours mechanic lien fundamentals. Live (or two-way live broadcast) only; no internet or home study.⁸
Who may teach it: Approved pre-licensure course provider⁹
Alternative: Not required for: a Construction Management bachelor's/associate degree holder; an active Utah PE; someone who has been a qualifier on an active Utah contractor license within 5 years; endorsement applicants under 58-1-302.⁸

Education or training

5 classroom hours⁸
Five-hour business and law course from an approved provider (not required if the 25-hour course was completed before July 1, 2019).⁸
Who may teach it: Approved pre-licensure course provider⁹

Exam

Utah Contractor Business and Law Examination⁸
Covers the 25-hour course and, if that course was completed on or after July 1, 2019, the five-hour business and law course⁹
Retakes: Wait 30 days after each of the first three failures; after that, wait six months after each failure.⁸
Exam waived: Not required for licensure by endorsement under Utah Code 58-1-302.⁸

Background check

Background check required⁹
The applicant, or for a business the qualifier and every person with at least a 10% voting interest, completes a criminal background check and discloses criminal history on a division form.⁹

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 total, naming DOPL as certificate holder, in force for the whole license period.⁸

Insurance

Workers' compensation insurance naming DOPL as certificate holder, or a Utah Labor Commission Workers' Compensation Coverage Waiver if there are no employees.⁸

Business requirements

Show financial responsibility, by a signed division questionnaire or a bond.¹⁴

Business requirements

A business entity license needs an individual qualifier who is an owner, officer or manager with material authority over the contracting business.¹⁵

Business requirements

Proof of registration with the Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, Department of Workforce Services Unemployment Insurance Division, State Tax Commission and IRS, as applicable.⁹

Business requirements

Unincorporated entities list each owner (name, address, birth date, SSN or other ID) and whether that owner will work in a construction trade.⁹

Also required

The license number must appear on all permit applications, contracts, agreements and bids.¹⁵

Fees

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. Complete the 25-hour pre-licensure course and the five-hour business and law course with a DOPL-approved provider (the qualifier takes them).⁸
2. Pass the Utah Contractor Business and Law Examination.⁸
3. Register the business with the state (Division of Corporations), Workforce Services, the State Tax Commission and the IRS as applicable, and get liability and workers' comp insurance (or a Labor Commission waiver).⁸
4. Submit the DOPL application with the fee, experience proof, the financial responsibility questionnaire, and the criminal background check.¹⁴

Renewal

When it expires

All contractor licenses expire November 30 of odd-numbered years (next: November 30, 2027).¹¹

Renewal fee

$128³ (Two-year contractor license term)

Continuing education

At least 6 hours each renewal period¹⁶

Required topics

At least 3 hours core education; the other 3 may be core or professional.⁸
At least 3 hours must be live in-class (or two-way live broadcast); up to 3 may be distance learning.⁸

Approved courses

Courses must come from the providers named in statute (e.g. AGC of Utah, ABC Utah, Utah Home Builders Association), a state executive agency, the workers' comp carrier, or an accredited college with a Utah campus.¹⁶

Exemptions

The division may defer or waive CE under R156-1-308d.⁸

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $20³ (renewal filed within 30 days after expiry)
Reinstatement fee: $50³ (31 days to 2 years after expiry)

If it expires

Up to 30 days after expiry: renewal form plus renewal fee and late fee.¹¹
More than 2 years after expiry: a full new application under current requirements, unless continuously active under license elsewhere or federal employment.¹¹
At renewal, show continuing financial responsibility and the 6 CE hours.⁴
Renewals must be filed online.⁸

From another state

Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license

Engages in the plumbing trade: installation, alteration, repair and maintenance of water supply, drainage, waste and vent piping, fixtures and gas piping in and within three feet of buildings; may supervise apprentices. May not subcontract or employ others for licensed work.⁶

Work that does not need this license:

• Minor plumbing work incidental to repairing a fixture or appliance in a residential, small commercial or agricultural building needs no license, as long as no culinary water, soil, waste or vent piping and no gas appliance or combustion system is modified; installing or replacing a water heater and first-time installation of fixtures are not covered.¹⁸
• Installing or repairing a water conditioner or other water treatment apparatus is exempt from plumber licensure if it meets state construction codes or local plumbing standards and is done under the direction of a person holding the appropriate specialty contractor license.¹⁸
• Sole owners building on their own property for non-commercial use (no more than one residence per year and three per five years, plus incidental sheds/garages) are exempt from licensure under the construction trades act.¹⁸
• Public utilities working on their own business are exempt.¹⁸

Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license

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

Education or training

At least 576 classroom hours²
Planned program of plumbing training of at least 576 hours (completion = at least 72 classroom hours each semester, each class passed with 75%).¹²
Who may teach it: Program approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education (or, if out of state, found reputable by DOPL with the Plumbers Licensing Board) and listed on the DOPL website.²
Alternative: Competency exams 1A-2B (one attempt each, 70% to advance) may satisfy the education requirement or set placement in a program.²
Alternative: No program needed on the 16,000-hour experience route.²
Alternative: Licensed residential journeyman plumbers: 2,000 hours of non-residential work as an apprentice plus the fourth year (144 hours) of the training program.²

Experience

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route 1: 8,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed apprentice plumber plus the 576-hour program (statute: four years of training as a licensed apprentice). At most 3,000 hours count per 12 months.²
Supervision: Under a licensed master or journeyman plumber.¹²

Experience

At least 16,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route 2: 16,000 hours of lawful full-time work experience as an apprentice plumber (statute: eight years of full-time experience), no program.⁹

Experience

At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route 3 (licensed residential journeyman plumbers): 2,000 hours of non-residential plumbing as a licensed apprentice plus the fourth-year (144-hour) training.²
License you must hold first: Residential Journeyman Plumber²

Exam

Utah Journeyman Plumber Written Exam and Utah Plumber Practical Exam²
Given by: Prov, Inc. (DOPL links the Prov Candidate Information Bulletin; no DOPL pre-approval for testing).⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on each exam.²
When you can take it: After meeting all requirements, or (program route) after finishing the first semester of the fourth year, enrolling in the second semester and completing at least 6,000 of the required hours.²
Utah Journeyman Plumber Written Exam²
Utah Plumber Practical Exam²
Retakes: Retake no sooner than 30 days after a failure, up to six failures; after that, no sooner than 120 days after each failure.²

How to apply

1. Work as a licensed apprentice plumber and complete a DOPL-listed 576-hour training program (or the 1A-2B competency exams), or build up 16,000 hours.²
2. Once eligible, register directly with Prov for the written and practical exams; DOPL pre-approval is not needed. Do not apply to DOPL until all exams are passed.⁷
3. After reaching 8,000 hours (or 16,000) and passing both exams, apply to DOPL online or on paper with the fee.³ utahdoc.mylicenseone.com¹²

Renewal and continuing education

Apprentice Plumber

Learns the plumbing trade under the immediate supervision of a licensed master, residential master, journeyman or residential journeyman plumber; from the fourth year of training may work unsupervised up to 8 hours in any 24-hour period. May not subcontract or employ anyone for licensed work.⁶

Requirements

Exam

Not required⁷

Fees

How to apply

1. Find a licensed plumber employer/supervisor and have them complete and sign the Verification of Supervision form.¹³
2. Apply to DOPL online (or on the paper Apprentice Plumber Application) and pay the application fee.¹³ utahdoc.mylicenseone.com¹³

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

Residential Journeyman Plumber

Engages in the plumbing trade limited to residential buildings (single or multiple family dwellings of up to four units); may supervise apprentices.⁶

Requirements

Education or training

At least 432 classroom hours²
Planned program of plumbing training of at least 432 hours.²
Who may teach it: Program approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education (or, if out of state, found reputable by DOPL with the Plumbers Licensing Board) and listed on the DOPL website.²
Alternative: Competency exams 1A-2B may satisfy the education requirement.²
Alternative: No program needed on the 12,000-hour maintenance/repair-trade route.²

Experience

At least 6,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route 1: 6,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed apprentice plumber plus the 432-hour program (statute: three years of training).⁹
Supervision: Under a licensed residential master, residential journeyman or journeyman plumber.⁹

Experience

At least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route 2: 12,000 hours of full-time work in a maintenance or repair trade, at least 9,000 of them directly in plumbing, documented on a DOPL form (statute: six years).⁹

Exam

Utah Residential Journeyman Plumber Written Exam and Utah Plumber Practical Exam²
Given by: Prov, Inc. (DOPL links the Prov Candidate Information Bulletin; no DOPL pre-approval for testing).⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on each exam.²
When you can take it: After completing the education/experience requirements.²
Utah Residential Journeyman Plumber Written Exam²
Utah Plumber Practical Exam²
Retakes: Retake no sooner than 30 days after a failure, up to six failures; after that, no sooner than 120 days after each failure.²

How to apply

1. Work as a licensed apprentice and complete a 432-hour program (or competency exams) plus 6,000 hours, or document 12,000 hours in a maintenance/repair trade (9,000 in plumbing).²
2. Register directly with Prov for the residential written and practical exams once eligible.⁷
3. Apply to DOPL with the fee after meeting the hours and passing the exams.³ utahdoc.mylicenseone.com¹²

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

Master Plumber

Plans and lays out plumbing projects and supervises persons in the plumbing trade; required as the qualifier for a P200 General Plumbing Contractor license.⁶

Requirements

Education or training

Optional route: an associate of applied science (or similar) degree from a CHEA-recognized institution shortens the experience needed to 2,000 supervisory hours.²

Experience

At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route A: 4,000 hours of work experience and 4,000 hours of supervisory experience as a licensed journeyman plumber (statute: two years licensed plus two years supervisory).⁹
License you must hold first: Journeyman Plumber²

Experience

At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route B: associate of applied science (or similar) degree + 2,000 hours of supervisory experience as a licensed journeyman plumber (statute: one year).⁹
License you must hold first: Journeyman Plumber²

How to apply

1. As a licensed journeyman plumber, complete 4,000 work hours plus 4,000 supervisory hours (or an AAS degree plus 2,000 supervisory hours).²
2. Register with Prov and pass the Plumber Law and Rule Exam (and the practical, if DOPL requires it and you have not passed it before).⁷

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

Residential Master Plumber

Plans and lays out plumbing projects and supervises persons in the plumbing trade, limited to residential buildings of up to four units; may serve as qualifier for a P201 Residential Plumbing Contractor license.⁶

Requirements

Education or training

Optional route: an associate of applied science (or similar) degree from a CHEA-recognized institution + 2,000 supervisory hours as a residential journeyman.²

Experience

At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route A: 4,000 hours of work experience and 4,000 hours of supervisory experience as a licensed residential journeyman plumber (statute: two years licensed plus two years supervisory).⁹
License you must hold first: Residential Journeyman Plumber²

Experience

At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Route B: associate of applied science (or similar) degree + 2,000 hours of supervisory experience as a licensed residential journeyman plumber.²
License you must hold first: Residential Journeyman Plumber²

How to apply

1. As a licensed residential journeyman plumber, complete 4,000 work hours plus 4,000 supervisory hours (or an AAS degree plus 2,000 supervisory hours).²
2. Register with Prov and pass the Plumber Law and Rule Exam.⁷

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

P200 - General Plumbing Contractor

Contracts for plumbing work: fabrication or installation of material and fixtures for safe water supply, removal of waste water and wastes, and gas supply for lighting, heating and industrial purposes; includes extending service from a building to the main water, sewer or gas pipeline and P201 residential plumbing work.⁶

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years⁹
Two years of full-time paid employment experience in the construction industry (any classification, supervisory experience not required), shown by the qualifier.⁹
License you must hold first: Master Plumber⁹

How to apply

1. Make sure the qualifier holds the required plumber license (Master Plumber).⁹

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

P201 - Residential Plumbing Contractor

Contracts for plumbing work in residential buildings: water supply, waste removal and gas supply for lighting, heating and residential purposes.⁶

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years⁹
Two years of full-time paid employment experience in the construction industry (any classification, supervisory experience not required), shown by the qualifier.⁹
License you must hold first: Master Plumber or Residential Master Plumber⁹

How to apply

1. Make sure the qualifier holds the required plumber license (Master Plumber or Residential Master Plumber).⁹

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

City and county rules

Apprentice PlumberPlumbers are licensed only by the state (DOPL). Cities and counties (e.g. Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Provo) may not require any additional license, registration or certification to qualify a licensee; only the general business license of the city where the business has its principal place of business applies. Plumbing permits and inspections are handled by local building departments.¹

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

secure.utah.gov⁷

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55 (Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act)
• Utah Code 58-55-302 (qualifications; version effective May 7, 2025, superseded January 1, 2027)
• Utah Code 58-55-302.7 (electrician, elevator mechanic and plumber CE; repealed January 1, 2027)
• Utah Code 58-55-401 (plumber definitions, effective January 1, 2027)
• Utah Code 58-55-402 (Plumber Education Fund, effective January 1, 2027)
• Utah Code 58-55-404 (plumber qualifications, effective January 1, 2027)
• Utah Code 58-55-405 (plumber CE, effective January 1, 2027)
• Utah Code 58-1-302 (license by endorsement)
• Utah Admin. Code R156-55c (Plumber Licensing Act Rule, eff. January 15, 2026)
• Utah Admin. Code R156-1 (DOPL general rule: renewal dates, late renewal/reinstatement)
• H.B. 8 (2026 General Session), Section 3 Fees: FY July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
• Utah Admin. Code R156-55a (Construction Trades Licensing Act Rule: contractor classifications, exams, insurance, pre-licensure courses)
• Utah Code 58-55-306 (financial responsibility)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 15, 2026: R156-55c (Plumber Licensing Act Rule) last amended; the current rule sets the hour-based education/experience routes, exam scores, competency exams 1A-2B and CE content.²

Common questions

Plumber licenses in other states

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