How to get a plumbing license in West Virginia: the official requirements
The Journeyman Plumber license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the West Virginia Division of Labor.
In West Virginia, the state plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the West Virginia Division of Labor. The Journeyman Plumber license, issued by the West Virginia Division of Labor. A journeyman plumber is qualified to instruct and supervise the work of a plumber in training; since January 1, 2009 no one may perform or offer to perform plumbing work in West Virginia without a plumber license from the Division, apart from listed exemptions. Apprentice or trainee registration: Start with a Plumber in Training license: you apply on the Division's application/affidavit, no exam is required, and you must work under the direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Plumber. One master or journeyman may directly supervise no more than three plumbers-in-training. Experience and training: Master and Journeyman applicants must certify their experience (and take a written exam). Licensing exam: A written journeyman plumber exam on the International Plumbing Code; you need a score of at least 70%. The written test is given by ProV, Inc. How to apply: Submit the Division's completed application/affidavit with the license fee; journeyman applicants attach their exam score report.
West Virginia plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | West Virginia |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Journeyman Plumber license, issued by the West Virginia Division of Labor. A journeyman plumber is qualified to instruct and supervise the work of a plumber in training; since January 1, 2009 no one may perform or offer to perform plumbing work in West Virginia without a plumber license from the Division, apart from listed exemptions. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Start with a Plumber in Training license: you apply on the Division's application/affidavit, no exam is required, and you must work under the direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Plumber. One master or journeyman may directly supervise no more than three plumbers-in-training. |
| Experience and training | Master and Journeyman applicants must certify their experience (and take a written exam). |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the West Virginia Division of Labor. |
| Licensing exam | A written journeyman plumber exam on the International Plumbing Code; you need a score of at least 70%. The written test is given by ProV, Inc. |
| How to apply | Submit the Division's completed application/affidavit with the license fee; journeyman applicants attach their exam score report. |
| Background check | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the West Virginia Division of Labor. |
| State fees | Journeyman (and Master) license, initial and renewal: $75. Plumber in Training, initial and renewal: $25. Late renewal fee: $25. The exam fee is paid to the testing agent, not the Division. |
| License term | Up to one year; you renew on or before the expiration date on the Division's renewal form, and a license expired for 90 days or more cannot be renewed. |
| Continuing education | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the West Virginia Division of Labor. |
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 West Virginia
- Apply for a Plumber in Training license (no exam) and work under the direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Plumber.
- Build the experience you will certify on your journeyman application.
- Take the written journeyman plumber exam (given by ProV, Inc.) and score at least 70%.
- Send the Division the Plumber License Application/Affidavit with your exam score report and the $75 fee.
- Renew the license before it expires; it is valid for up to one year.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salaryWhat plumbers earn.
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Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the West Virginia Division of Labor and the rules it publishes (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the West Virginia Division of Labor'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.
- West Virginia Division of Labor, Plumber Certification, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- West Virginia Division of Labor, Plumber Certification FAQ, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- West Virginia Division of Labor, Plumber Certification Fees, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- West Virginia Division of Labor, Plumber License Application/Affidavit (revised 6.16.2021), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- West Virginia Division of Labor, Legislative Rule 42CSR32, Supervision of Plumbing Work (effective May 1, 2023), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.