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 720 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT).
Pass the P-2 Unlimited Plumbing Journeyperson Trade Exam and P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam and P-1 Business and Law Exam (contractors only) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need 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.), and workers' compensation coverage.
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. Renew annually – all plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31, completing 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). P-6/P-7 Limited Journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. Courses must be approved by the CT Plumbing Board.

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 720 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). P-6/P-7 Limited Journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. 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 licenses may apply through the equivalency pathway if their license required 720 classroom hours and 12,000 hours OJT (contractor) or 576 classroom hours and 8,000 hours OJT (journeyperson).
Processing time	Not specified by DCP; allow several weeks for application review after exam passage.

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

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

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).

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 720 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. 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 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). P-6/P-7 Limited Journeypersons: 3 credit hours every 2 years. 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.