Connecticut Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Unlimited Plumbing Contractor (P-1) / Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson (P-2) · Issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board.

🔧 PlumberCT ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Connecticut, plumbers must hold the Unlimited Plumbing Contractor (P-1) / Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson (P-2), issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Connecticut

Follow these steps to earn your Unlimited Plumbing Contractor (P-1) / Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson (P-2). Every figure is verified against the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. P-2 Journeyperson: completion of a registered apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 hours OJT) OR equivalent experience and training. P-1 Contractor: 2 years as a licensed P-2 journeyperson OR equivalent experience and training (out-of-state equivalency requires 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT).
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: General liability insurance required; DCP does not specify a statutory dollar minimum for plumbing trade licenses. Market standard enforced by many municipalities is $500,000 per occurrence. Property damage: Typically included within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated amount specified by DCP for plumbing licenses. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284. Sole proprietors with no employees may claim exemption in writing.
Clear the background check. Applicants must disclose criminal conviction history on the application; DCP evaluates on a case-by-case basis.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board — $150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable) application fee, plus a $150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial) license fee. Processing time: Not specified by DCP; allow several weeks for application review after exam passage.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annually – all plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31. Continuing education: P-1 Unlimited Contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years (completed in even-numbered year cycle, 3 months before renewal). P-2 Unlimited Journeypersons: 5 credit hours every 2 years (odd-numbered year cycle). Limited plumbing and piping contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years; limited journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. P-6, P-7, PP-1 and PP-2 holders are not obligated to obtain CE (DCP: no CE is available for those license types). Courses must be approved by the CT Plumbing Board.

For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →

Connecticut plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Connecticut — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official elicense.ct.gov database →

License types

P-1 – Unlimited Plumbing Contractor — May perform and supervise all plumbing and piping work, pull permits, and contract directly with consumers. Required to be contractor of record on permitted work.
P-2 – Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson — May perform all unlimited plumbing work; must be employed by a licensed contractor. Cannot pull permits or contract directly with consumers.
P-6 – Limited Sewer, Storm, and Water Journeyperson — Limited scope: sewer, storm drain, and water service work only.
P-7 – Limited Sewer, Storm, and Water Contractor — Limited scope: sewer, storm drain, and water service contracting only.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	P-2 Journeyperson: completion of a registered apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 hours OJT) OR equivalent experience and training. P-1 Contractor: 2 years as a licensed P-2 journeyperson OR equivalent experience and training (out-of-state equivalency requires 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT).
Application fee	$150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable)
License fee	$150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial)
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual)
Renewal period	Annually – all plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31
Continuing education	P-1 Unlimited Contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years (completed in even-numbered year cycle, 3 months before renewal). P-2 Unlimited Journeypersons: 5 credit hours every 2 years (odd-numbered year cycle). Limited plumbing and piping contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years; limited journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. P-6, P-7, PP-1 and PP-2 holders are not obligated to obtain CE (DCP: no CE is available for those license types). Courses must be approved by the CT Plumbing Board.
Bond required	No state surety bond required for P-1 or P-2 plumbing licenses at the DCP level. Bond requirements, if any, are set by individual municipalities.
Liability insurance	General liability insurance required; DCP does not specify a statutory dollar minimum for plumbing trade licenses. Market standard enforced by many municipalities is $500,000 per occurrence.
Property damage	Typically included within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated amount specified by DCP for plumbing licenses.
Workers' comp	Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284. Sole proprietors with no employees may claim exemption in writing.
Background check	Applicants must disclose criminal conviction history on the application; DCP evaluates on a case-by-case basis.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Connecticut does not maintain formal reciprocal license agreements with any other state for plumbing licenses. Applicants with equivalent out-of-state experience may apply through the equivalency pathway if they can prove 576 classroom hours and 12,000 hours OJT (P-1 contractor) or 576 classroom hours and 8,000 hours OJT (P-2 journeyperson). Separately, CGS 20-333a lets the Commissioner grant a license without examination to a currently practicing holder of a similar license from a jurisdiction that grants Connecticut licensees the same without examination. · compare all states
Processing time	Not specified by DCP; allow several weeks for application review after exam passage.

What a Connecticut plumber license costs

Application fee	$150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable).
License fee	$150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial).
P-2 Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson Trade Exam	$59 per exam portion.
P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam	$59 per exam portion.
P-1 Business and Law Exam (contractors only)	$59.
Surety bond	No state surety bond required for P-1 or P-2 plumbing licenses at the DCP level. Bond requirements, if any, are set by individual municipalities.
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual).
Renewal period	Annually – all plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31.

Exams

P-2 Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59 per exam portion
P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59 per exam portion
P-1 Business and Law Exam (contractors only)	Provider: PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59

Renewing a Connecticut plumber license

The Unlimited Plumbing Contractor (P-1) / Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson (P-2) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annually – all plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual)
Continuing education	P-1 Unlimited Contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years (completed in even-numbered year cycle, 3 months before renewal). P-2 Unlimited Journeypersons: 5 credit hours every 2 years (odd-numbered year cycle). Limited plumbing and piping contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years; limited journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. P-6, P-7, PP-1 and PP-2 holders are not obligated to obtain CE (DCP: no CE is available for those license types). Courses must be approved by the CT Plumbing Board.
Where to renew	Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board

Local / municipal notes

Some municipalities impose additional bonding requirements beyond the DCP state level. Verify with local building departments, particularly in Fairfield County.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Connecticut plumber license cost?

Application: $150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable). License: $150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial). Renewal: $150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual).

How do I look up a plumber license in Connecticut?

Search the official license database at elicense.ct.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in Connecticut need a surety bond?

No state surety bond required for P-1 or P-2 plumbing licenses at the DCP level. Bond requirements, if any, are set by individual municipalities.

What experience is required for a Connecticut plumber license?

P-2 Journeyperson: completion of a registered apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 hours OJT) OR equivalent experience and training. P-1 Contractor: 2 years as a licensed P-2 journeyperson OR equivalent experience and training (out-of-state equivalency requires 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT).

Is insurance required for plumbers in Connecticut?

Liability: General liability insurance required; DCP does not specify a statutory dollar minimum for plumbing trade licenses. Market standard enforced by many municipalities is $500,000 per occurrence. Property damage: Typically included within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated amount specified by DCP for plumbing licenses. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284. Sole proprietors with no employees may claim exemption in writing.

How long does it take to get a Connecticut plumber license?

Processing time: Not specified by DCP; allow several weeks for application review after exam passage.

Is a background check required for plumbers in Connecticut?

Background check: Applicants must disclose criminal conviction history on the application; DCP evaluates on a case-by-case basis.

How often must a Connecticut plumber license be renewed?

Annually – all plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31. Continuing education: P-1 Unlimited Contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years (completed in even-numbered year cycle, 3 months before renewal). P-2 Unlimited Journeypersons: 5 credit hours every 2 years (odd-numbered year cycle). Limited plumbing and piping contractors: 5 credit hours every 2 years; limited journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. P-6, P-7, PP-1 and PP-2 holders are not obligated to obtain CE (DCP: no CE is available for those license types). Courses must be approved by the CT Plumbing Board.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-23 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board before applying. This is not legal advice.