COLORADO · plumber
Journeyman Plumber
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies — State Plumbing Board (Division of Professions and Occupations)Scope
Colorado licenses individual plumbers at the state level through the State Plumbing Board inside the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) at DORA. The board issues three plumbing licenses: Residential Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, and Master Plumber. Plumbing contracting is a separate registration held by the firm. Source: Colorado DPO Plumbing (https://dpo.colorado.gov/Plumbing) and Colorado Revised Statutes Title 12 Article 155 (https://leg.colorado.gov/).
Experience
A Journeyman Plumber applicant must document a minimum of 6,800 hours of practical plumbing experience under the supervision of a Colorado Master or Journeyman plumber. Of these, 4,000 hours must be in installation work and the balance may include repair, service, or drain and sewer work, per State Plumbing Board rule. Apprentices must register with the board before counting hours. Source: DPO Plumbing (https://dpo.colorado.gov/Plumbing).
Education
The board accepts classroom hours from an approved plumbing program or registered apprenticeship toward the total experience requirement. Verify current credit caps and approved programs on the DPO Plumbing rules page.
Exam
Administered by the board's contracted vendor (verify current provider on the DPO Plumbing site). The exam is based on the plumbing code edition currently adopted by Colorado plus Colorado-specific law and rule. Passing score and fees are published in the vendor's Colorado Plumber Candidate Information Bulletin.
Reciprocity
Colorado evaluates out-of-state journeyman credentials on an endorsement basis. An applicant licensed in another state with equivalent requirements may qualify without retesting, subject to State Plumbing Board review under CRS 12-155. Confirm current endorsement posture on the DPO Plumbing reciprocity page.
Renewal and CE
Colorado plumber licenses operate on a three-year renewal cycle. The State Plumbing Board requires continuing-education hours each renewal, including plumbing-code update instruction approved by the board. Confirm current CE hour requirement and approved providers on the DPO Plumbing CE page.
Scope Limits
A Journeyman Plumber performs installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems under the supervision of a Master Plumber. The journeyman cannot pull permits in the journeyman's own name; permits are pulled by a registered plumbing contractor with a Master Plumber of record. Residential Plumbers are limited to one- and two-family dwelling work. Source: DPO Plumbing.
Verified Apr 25, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies — State Plumbing Board (Division of Professions and Occupations) before acting