How to get a plumbing license in Kentucky: the official requirements
The Journeyman Plumber license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.
In Kentucky, the state plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. The Journeyman Plumber license from the Division of Plumbing, Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. All plumbing work other than a homeowner's own permitted work must be installed by a licensed journeyman plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. Experience and training: Two consecutive years of experience in the plumbing trade, verified with W-2 forms, an affidavit from the Kentucky-licensed master plumber who employs you, or a plumbing license from another state. Licensing exam: The journeyman plumber examination, with a written portion and a practical portion (up to 2 1/2 hours each). Regular exams are held in February, May, August and November. How to apply: Send the Application for License as a Journeyman Plumber (PLB-2) and the Plumbing Examination Registration Form (PLB-3) with the fees and a recent passport-sized color photo; applications must reach the Frankfort office at least three weeks before the exam date.
Kentucky plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Journeyman Plumber license from the Division of Plumbing, Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. All plumbing work other than a homeowner's own permitted work must be installed by a licensed journeyman plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. |
| Experience and training | Two consecutive years of experience in the plumbing trade, verified with W-2 forms, an affidavit from the Kentucky-licensed master plumber who employs you, or a plumbing license from another state. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. |
| Licensing exam | The journeyman plumber examination, with a written portion and a practical portion (up to 2 1/2 hours each). Regular exams are held in February, May, August and November. |
| How to apply | Send the Application for License as a Journeyman Plumber (PLB-2) and the Plumbing Examination Registration Form (PLB-3) with the fees and a recent passport-sized color photo; applications must reach the Frankfort office at least three weeks before the exam date. |
| Background check | The application asks whether you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor; if so, you might not be able to receive the license at this time and should contact the Plumbing Division. |
| State fees | Journeyman plumber exam: $50.00. Journeyman plumber license: prorated by the month you apply and your birth month (for example, $85 when applying in February with a July birth month). Both are payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. |
| License term | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. |
| Continuing education | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Kentucky
- Gain two consecutive years of experience in the plumbing trade.
- Complete the journeyman plumber license application (PLB-2) with proof of experience.
- Register for the exam on form PLB-3 with the $50.00 exam fee and a passport-sized color photo.
- Get your application to the Frankfort office at least three weeks before the exam date.
- Pass the written and practical portions of the journeyman exam.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in KentuckyWhat plumbers earn.
Open →CareerPlumber career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
Open →Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Questions people ask
How do I get a plumbing license in Kentucky?
What experience do I need for a Kentucky plumbing license?
Is there an apprentice or trainee license in Kentucky?
Do I need to pass an exam for a Kentucky plumbing license?
How long is a Kentucky plumbing license good for?
How much does a Kentucky plumbing license cost?
How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Plumbing Licensing Examination, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Application for License as a Journeyman Plumber (PLB-2, April 2023), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Plumbing Examination Registration Form (PLB-3, October 2019), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing Master & Journeyman Examination Schedule, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.