Kentucky Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber License · Issued by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.

🔧 PlumberKY ✔ Verified 2026-09-28

In Kentucky, plumbers must hold the Plumber License, issued by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, 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 Kentucky

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber License. Every figure is verified against the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 2 consecutive years as an apprentice plumber, OR a department-approved plumbing course plus 1 year as an apprentice. Master: a journeyman license held for 2 of the past 5 years plus 2 years working under a licensed master plumber, OR a Kentucky engineer license with sufficient mechanical engineering experience, OR a plumbing license from another state held for 2 of the past 5 years, OR 4 consecutive years practising as a master-equivalent in a state that does not license plumbers (815 KAR 20:030 Section 2).
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Examination and Master Plumber Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $250,000 minimum general liability insurance for anyone engaged in plumbing (KRS 318.030); proof is filed before issuance or renewal of an active master plumber license. Workers' compensation: Proof of compliance with Kentucky's workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws is filed with the liability proof (KRS 318.030).
Clear the background check. Not established in KRS Chapter 318 or 815 KAR 20:030, neither of which mentions a criminal background check or fingerprinting for plumbers; check the current DHBC application form.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction — $250 master plumber license fee; $60 journeyman plumber license fee. Both initial fees may be prorated (7 to 18 months) so the license expires at the end of the applicant's birth month. application fee, plus a Included in the license fee license fee. Processing time: DHBC does not publish a turnaround time. An application is void if the applicant does not pass the exam within 1 year of the first exam notice (815 KAR 20:030).
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual. Continuing education: 6 hours of DHBC-approved continuing education before each annual renewal, for both master and journeyman plumbers (815 KAR 2:010). Courses cover business, job safety, the Kentucky State Plumbing Code or plumbing subject matter.

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

Kentucky plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Kentucky — 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 dhbc.ky.gov database →

License types

Master Plumber — May supervise journeyman plumbers; authorized to perform all plumbing work including complex installations and system design
Journeyman Plumber — May perform plumbing work under supervision of a licensed master plumber; cannot supervise other plumbers

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 2 consecutive years as an apprentice plumber, OR a department-approved plumbing course plus 1 year as an apprentice. Master: a journeyman license held for 2 of the past 5 years plus 2 years working under a licensed master plumber, OR a Kentucky engineer license with sufficient mechanical engineering experience, OR a plumbing license from another state held for 2 of the past 5 years, OR 4 consecutive years practising as a master-equivalent in a state that does not license plumbers (815 KAR 20:030 Section 2).
Application fee	$250 master plumber license fee; $60 journeyman plumber license fee. Both initial fees may be prorated (7 to 18 months) so the license expires at the end of the applicant's birth month.
License fee	Included in the license fee
Renewal fee	$250 per year (master); $60 per year (journeyman). A late renewal within 180 days adds a $5 (master) or $3 (journeyman) revival fee.
Renewal period	Annual
Continuing education	6 hours of DHBC-approved continuing education before each annual renewal, for both master and journeyman plumbers (815 KAR 2:010). Courses cover business, job safety, the Kentucky State Plumbing Code or plumbing subject matter.
Bond required	No state-mandated bond for master or journeyman plumbers; neither KRS Chapter 318 nor 815 KAR Chapter 20 imposes one.
Liability insurance	$250,000 minimum general liability insurance for anyone engaged in plumbing (KRS 318.030); proof is filed before issuance or renewal of an active master plumber license.
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Proof of compliance with Kentucky's workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws is filed with the liability proof (KRS 318.030).
Background check	Not established in KRS Chapter 318 or 815 KAR 20:030, neither of which mentions a criminal background check or fingerprinting for plumbers; check the current DHBC application form.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	DHBC does not publish a turnaround time. An application is void if the applicant does not pass the exam within 1 year of the first exam notice (815 KAR 20:030).

What a Kentucky plumber license costs

Application fee	$250 master plumber license fee; $60 journeyman plumber license fee. Both initial fees may be prorated (7 to 18 months) so the license expires at the end of the applicant's birth month.
License fee	Included in the license fee.
Journeyman Plumber Examination	$50.
Master Plumber Examination	$150.
Surety bond	No state-mandated bond for master or journeyman plumbers; neither KRS Chapter 318 nor 815 KAR Chapter 20 imposes one.
Renewal fee	$250 per year (master); $60 per year (journeyman). A late renewal within 180 days adds a $5 (master) or $3 (journeyman) revival fee.
Renewal period	Annual.

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Examination	Provider: Kentucky DHBC, Division of Plumbing · Passing: 75% on each portion · Fee: $50
Master Plumber Examination	Provider: Kentucky DHBC, Division of Plumbing · Passing: 80% on each portion · Fee: $150

Renewing a Kentucky plumber license

The Plumber License renews on a fixed cycle set by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. 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	Annual
Renewal fee	$250 per year (master); $60 per year (journeyman). A late renewal within 180 days adds a $5 (master) or $3 (journeyman) revival fee.
Continuing education	6 hours of DHBC-approved continuing education before each annual renewal, for both master and journeyman plumbers (815 KAR 2:010). Courses cover business, job safety, the Kentucky State Plumbing Code or plumbing subject matter.
Where to renew	Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction

Local / municipal notes

Kentucky does not require separate local/municipal plumber licenses in addition to state license. License renewable annually by birth month expiration date. Inactive status available for $125 (master) or $30 (journeyman) initial fee.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Kentucky plumber license cost?

Application: $250 master plumber license fee; $60 journeyman plumber license fee. Both initial fees may be prorated (7 to 18 months) so the license expires at the end of the applicant's birth month. License: Included in the license fee. Renewal: $250 per year (master); $60 per year (journeyman). A late renewal within 180 days adds a $5 (master) or $3 (journeyman) revival fee.

How do I look up a plumber license in Kentucky?

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

Do plumbers in Kentucky need a surety bond?

No state-mandated bond for master or journeyman plumbers; neither KRS Chapter 318 nor 815 KAR Chapter 20 imposes one.

What experience is required for a Kentucky plumber license?

Journeyman: 2 consecutive years as an apprentice plumber, OR a department-approved plumbing course plus 1 year as an apprentice. Master: a journeyman license held for 2 of the past 5 years plus 2 years working under a licensed master plumber, OR a Kentucky engineer license with sufficient mechanical engineering experience, OR a plumbing license from another state held for 2 of the past 5 years, OR 4 consecutive years practising as a master-equivalent in a state that does not license plumbers (815 KAR 20:030 Section 2).

Is insurance required for plumbers in Kentucky?

Liability: $250,000 minimum general liability insurance for anyone engaged in plumbing (KRS 318.030); proof is filed before issuance or renewal of an active master plumber license. Workers' compensation: Proof of compliance with Kentucky's workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws is filed with the liability proof (KRS 318.030).

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

Processing time: DHBC does not publish a turnaround time. An application is void if the applicant does not pass the exam within 1 year of the first exam notice (815 KAR 20:030).

Is a background check required for plumbers in Kentucky?

Background check: Not established in KRS Chapter 318 or 815 KAR 20:030, neither of which mentions a criminal background check or fingerprinting for plumbers; check the current DHBC application form.

How often must a Kentucky plumber license be renewed?

Annual. Continuing education: 6 hours of DHBC-approved continuing education before each annual renewal, for both master and journeyman plumbers (815 KAR 2:010). Courses cover business, job safety, the Kentucky State Plumbing Code or plumbing subject matter.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-09-28 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction before applying. This is not legal advice.