Plumber licenses in
Virginia
Virginia licenses plumbers statewide.
Official search run by Virginia Board for Contractors, Tradesmen Program (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) at dpor.virginia.gov.
What the license should say
In Virginia you'll see one of these on a plumber's card, bid or truck:
- Master Plumber (tradesman license)
- Individual qualified to plan and lay out details for installation and supervise plumbing work.
- Journeyman Plumber (tradesman license)
- Individual qualified to install, repair and maintain plumbing according to plans and specifications.
- Residential Plumber (tradesman license)
- Individual qualified to perform plumbing work applicable to dwellings and townhouses; requires less experience than a journeyman.
- Contractor license with PLB (plumbing) classification
- Business; Class A, B or C by contract value, with a qualified individual holding a master plumber card.
Hiring a company, not a person?
Class A, B or C contractor license with the plumbing (PLB) classification; the firm's qualified individual must hold a current Master Tradesman card in plumbing.
Doing it yourself
Va. Code 54.1-1101 exempts an owner working on one primary residence per 24 months from contractor licensing, while the tradesman article only exempts work on a single-family residence valued under $250 (54.1-1131), so check permit rules with your locality.
Before you hire
- Contractor licensing in Virginia (small-job limits, bonds, permits)
- How to check a license in Virginia, step by step
- Before-you-hire checklist (one page, free PDF)
- File a complaint about a plumber (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.