Colorado Plumbing License Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 24, 2026

Colorado plumbing license: Colorado licenses Residential, Journeyman and Master Plumbers and requires apprentices to register. Residential applicants verify two years or 3,400 hours; Journeyman applicants four years or 6,800 hours, while Master follows the Board’s additional experience route.

What the Colorado plumbing license covers

Colorado licenses Residential, Journeyman and Master Plumbers and requires apprentices to register. Residential applicants verify two years or 3,400 hours; Journeyman applicants four years or 6,800 hours, while Master follows the Board’s additional experience route.

• Plumbing work within the personal license and registered contractor authority.
• Work only within the credential issued.
• Obtain every local permit and inspection.

Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.

Colorado plumbing license requirements at a glance

Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.

How to complete the Colorado plumbing license process

1. Identify the state and local credentials triggered by the work.
2. Complete required education and documented experience.
3. Obtain approval and pass each examination.
4. Submit applications, records and fees.
5. Complete insurance, business and permit requirements.
6. Renew on time and retain compliance records.

Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.

Important Colorado rules and boundaries

• Individual and contractor credentials may be separate.
• State licensing does not replace local permits.
• Related classifications are not interchangeable.
• The responsible authority makes the final eligibility decision.

Colorado may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.

Colorado plumbing license cost and renewal

Budget separately for applications, examinations, training, insurance, business filings and permits.

Renew each state and local credential separately and verify current charges before filing.

Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.

Colorado plumbing license checklist

• Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
• Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
• Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
• Use the current official form and fee schedule.
• Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
• File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
• Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
• Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is this credential statewide?

The guide identifies whether authority is statewide or local; permits and inspections remain project-specific.

Is an exam required?

Pass the Board examination for the requested level.

When does it renew?

Renew the personal license and contractor registration and maintain annual CE.

Are local permits separate?

Yes.

Official sources used

• Board
• Applications
• Apprentices