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Colorado plumber license requirements
The answer
Colorado licenses plumbers statewide. Residential Plumber: 2 years (3,400 hours). Journeyworker: 4 years (6,800 hours). Master: 5 years (8,500 hours). PSI exam — 70% to pass (75% for master), based on the IPC and IFGC. Apprentices must be registered.Your paths to the license
4 years (6,800 hours) → Journeyworker
Register as an apprentice, then verify 6,800 hours (one full-time month = 163 hours) via Affidavit of Experience forms from your employing plumbing contractors — you cannot verify your own experience. Pass the PSI exam at 70%.
Residential Plumber first (3,400 hours)
2 years (3,400 hours) earns the Residential Plumber exam — a faster credential limited to residential work while you accrue journeyworker hours.
Endorsement from another state
Out-of-state licensees qualify by endorsement with: a completed apprenticeship (or equivalent experience), verification of passing a comparable STATE exam on the codes Colorado uses, and a state-issued (not city/county) license held at least 6 months. Employer affidavits are still required.
License levels in Colorado
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registered apprentice | Anyone working in the trade without a Colorado plumber's license must be registered as an apprentice. | — |
| Residential Plumber | 2 years (3,400 hours) practical experience + exam (70%). | — |
| Journeyworker Plumber | 4 years (6,800 hours) practical experience + exam (70%). | — |
| Master Plumber | 5 full-time years (8,500 hours) + exam (75%). | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application / license | Set by DORA — shown in the online application |
The exam
| Provider | PSI |
| Passing | 70% (Residential/Journeyworker) · 75% (Master) |
| Fees | Exam fee paid to PSI (candidate handbook sent after approval) |
| Notes | Based on the International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code and board rules; English only. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No named reciprocity states — the endorsement route covers substantially-equivalent state licenses (exam-based, held 6+ months). Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Renew through DPO Online Services; see your license for the current cycle.
Watch out: City/county licenses do not count for endorsement — only state-issued licenses. · One month full-time = 163 hours in Colorado's counting.
Official sources for this page
Colorado plumber licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed plumber in Colorado?
The shortest published route requires 3,400 hours of supervised experience. Colorado licenses plumbers statewide. Residential Plumber: 2 years (3,400 hours). Journeyworker: 4 years (6,800 hours). Master: 5 years (8,500 hours). PSI exam — 70% to pass (75% for master), based on the IPC and IFGC. Apprentices must be registered.
What does the Colorado plumber license cost?
Exam fee paid to PSI (candidate handbook sent after approval). Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Colorado have plumber license reciprocity?
No named reciprocity states — the endorsement route covers substantially-equivalent state licenses (exam-based, held 6+ months).
How often does the license renew?
Renew through DPO Online Services; see your license for the current cycle.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Colorado's actual routes.