District of Columbia Plumber License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Reviewed 2026-05-16 · CLR Editorial Review Desk
The District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades, staffed by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), licenses Journey and Master Plumbers under D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 17. DC adopts the International Plumbing Code (IPC) by reference through the DC Construction Codes. A Journey Plumber works under the supervision of a Master Plumber; a Master Plumber may pull plumbing permits and serve as the qualifying individual for a plumbing contracting business. Both levels require passing an IPC-based examination administered by PSI Services.
Regulatory Oversight
Under D.C. Official Code Title 47 Chapter 28 (Basic Business License); D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 17 (Business, Occupations, and Professionals), District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Board of Industrial Trades (DLCP) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. DLCP (formerly DCRA) issues the Basic Business License (BBL) including the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement, and staffs the Board of Industrial Trades which licenses master and journey electricians, plumbers, steamfitters (HVAC), and refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics in the District of Columbia.
- Official portal: https://dlcp.dc.gov/
- Address: 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
- Phone: (202) 671-4500
Who May Apply
At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No DC residency requirement.
Good moral character
Board of Industrial Trades reviews each applicant for fitness. Criminal history is evaluated case-by-case.
Background investigation
Criminal history disclosure is required on the application.
Required Experience and Education
Plan to substantiate seven years of documented plumbing experience for the Master Plumber, at least two of which must be as a licensed Journey Plumber; four years and 8,000 hours for the Journey Plumber with hard records. Payroll, tax, project logs, and supervisor verification are what the board relies on when it reviews the claim.
Accepted proof of experience or eligibility
- Board of Industrial Trades Experience Affidavit signed by each licensed Master Plumber supervisor
- W-2 or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
- Apprenticeship completion certificate from a USDOL-registered program (where applicable)
Education substitution
A completed USDOL-registered plumbing apprenticeship satisfies the Journey Plumber experience requirement.
Examination Requirements
The licensing examination is delivered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to DLCP). All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:
- DC Master Plumber Examination — International Plumbing Code, DC Construction Codes, business and law — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 70%
Examination fee: $86 examination fee paid to PSI per attempt.
Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken by paying a new PSI fee. The Board application remains valid for one year.
Insurance and Financial Requirements
The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.
General liability
Individual plumbing licensees are not required to carry general liability insurance. Plumbing contractor businesses must carry liability coverage as part of the Basic Business License.
Workers' compensation
Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in DC for any employer with one or more employees under D.C. Code § 32-1501 et seq.
Additional financial requirements
No financial statement requirement for the individual credential.
Licensing Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | $230 |
| Examination | $86 |
| Initial license | $230 |
| Renewal (every 2 years) | $230 |
Keeping the License Current
Renewal of the DC Master Plumber (and Journey Plumber) comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $230. DC plumber licenses renew every two years.
Continuing education: Continuing education hours as set by the Board of Industrial Trades each renewal cycle.
Downloadable Asset
2026 District of Columbia Plumber License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.
Download the PDF roadmap →Reciprocity and License Transfer
The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by District of Columbia for this classification.
| Reciprocal State | Accepted Exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Trade exam may be waived | DC reviews Maryland master plumber credentials on a case-by-case basis under Board of Industrial Trades reciprocity policy. |
| Virginia | Trade exam may be waived | DC reviews Virginia master plumber credentials on a case-by-case basis. |
DC does not publish formal reciprocity agreements. The Board of Industrial Trades may waive the trade examination for out-of-state master plumbers with equivalent credentials.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Plumber license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
Application Process, Step by Step
- Document qualifying experience. Four years / 8,000 hours of plumbing work to qualify for the Journey Plumber exam, or seven years including two as a Journey Plumber for the Master.
- Submit the Board of Industrial Trades application. File the application with experience affidavits and the application fee.
- Receive PSI authorization to test. DLCP issues an eligibility letter that allows scheduling with PSI.
- Pass the PSI IPC-based examination at 70%. Pass the 100-question exam covering the IPC, DC Construction Codes, and business and law.
- Receive the plumber license. DLCP issues the Journey or Master Plumber credential.
- Obtain a Basic Business License if self-employed. Master Plumbers operating a contracting business must also obtain a DC Basic Business License.
Document Checklist
The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with DLCP:
- ☐ Experience affidavit signed by a DC Master Plumber
- ☐ W-2 or 1099 documentation for the qualifying period
- ☐ USDOL-registered apprenticeship certificate (if applicable)
- ☐ Board of Industrial Trades application with fee
- ☐ PSI exam pass certificate at 70% or better
- ☐ Basic Business License if operating as a contractor
- ☐ Workers compensation certificate if any employees
Recommended References
What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.
- International Plumbing Code (current DC-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
- DC Construction Codes (plumbing provisions) — DC Department of Buildings. DC amendments to the IPC.
- D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 17 — DC Council. Board of Industrial Trades rules.
Frequent Application Errors
Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a District of Columbia Plumber application.
Insufficient documented hours
The Board rejects applications lacking verifiable W-2 or 1099 documentation for the full qualifying period.
Skipping the Journey step
Master candidates must first hold a Journey Plumber license for at least two years.
Confusing the individual license with a BBL
The plumber credential authorizes the individual; a self-employed contractor still needs a Basic Business License.
Using an outdated IPC edition
PSI tests the edition currently adopted by DC Construction Codes, not the newest ICC release.
Letting the license lapse
A lapsed license requires reinstatement fees and may trigger re-examination.
Other District of Columbia Trade Licenses
Should the Plumber path not apply, these other District of Columbia trade guides from CLR may help:
- District of Columbia General Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Electrician License Requirements
- District of Columbia HVAC Technician License Requirements
- District of Columbia Roofing Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Painting Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Masonry Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Solar Installer License Requirements
- District of Columbia Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- District of Columbia Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Home Inspector License Requirements
- District of Columbia Pool Contractor License Requirements
Questions Applicants Ask
What is the difference between a Journey and Master Plumber in DC?
A Journey Plumber performs plumbing work under the supervision of a Master Plumber. A Master Plumber may pull permits, supervise journeymen, and qualify a plumbing contracting business.
How many hours of experience does DC require?
Four years and 8,000 hours for the Journey Plumber; seven years total including at least two years as a Journey Plumber for the Master.
What exam does DC use?
PSI Services administers a 100-question IPC-based examination on behalf of the Board of Industrial Trades.
Does DC reciprocate plumbing credentials?
DC has no formal reciprocity agreements but the Board may waive the trade exam for qualified out-of-state master plumbers.
How often does the DC plumber license renew?
Every two years.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
- DC Board of Industrial Trades
- DC Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor
- D.C. Official Code Title 47 Chapter 28
- D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 17
- PSI Exams — District of Columbia
Verified 2026-05-16 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-14