Vermont Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber · Issued by the Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety.

🔧 PlumberVT ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In Vermont, plumbers must hold the Plumber, issued by the Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety, 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 Vermont

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber. Every figure is verified against the Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: Apprenticeship in plumbing verified by Vermont Apprenticeship Council, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the board. Master: Valid journeyman plumber license for at least 12 months, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the board. Veterans designated 12K Plumber (or equivalent) with at least 8,000 hours and four years of active-duty field work are issued a journeyman license without examination (Vermont Plumbing Rules 8(E)(2)).
Pass the Plumbing Examination exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety — $90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist field, paid with the application (license application form) application fee, plus a $90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category license fee. Processing time: Not published by the board.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 2 years. Continuing education: 8 hours of approved continuing education or training within 24-month period; minimum 2 hours must include Vermont plumbing code review.

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

Vermont plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Vermont — 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 data.vermont.gov database →

License types

Master Plumber — Designs and installs plumbing systems; supervises other plumbers
Journeyman Plumber — Installs plumbing work under master plumber supervision
Specialist — Water heaters, hydronic heating systems, and water treatment

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: Apprenticeship in plumbing verified by Vermont Apprenticeship Council, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the board. Master: Valid journeyman plumber license for at least 12 months, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the board. Veterans designated 12K Plumber (or equivalent) with at least 8,000 hours and four years of active-duty field work are issued a journeyman license without examination (Vermont Plumbing Rules 8(E)(2)).
Application fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist field, paid with the application (license application form)
License fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category
Renewal fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category every 2 years
Renewal period	2 years
Continuing education	8 hours of approved continuing education or training within 24-month period; minimum 2 hours must include Vermont plumbing code review
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	No named-state list: a license from another state or municipality with equivalent standards can be reciprocated, and universal licensing is available without examination for equivalent licenses (Vermont Plumbing Rules 8(E)(1) and (3)) · other states' agreements
Processing time	Not published by the board

What a Vermont plumber license costs

Application fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist field, paid with the application (license application form).
License fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category.
Plumbing Examination	Not published by the board.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category every 2 years.
Renewal period	2 years.

Exams

Plumbing Examination	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: Not published by the board

Renewing a Vermont plumber license

The Plumber renews on a fixed cycle set by the Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety. 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	2 years
Renewal fee	$90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category every 2 years
Continuing education	8 hours of approved continuing education or training within 24-month period; minimum 2 hours must include Vermont plumbing code review
Where to renew	Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Vermont plumber license cost?

Application: $90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist field, paid with the application (license application form). License: $90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category. Renewal: $90 Journeyman, $120 Master, $50 per Specialist category every 2 years.

How do I look up a plumber license in Vermont?

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

Do plumbers in Vermont need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a Vermont plumber license?

Journeyman: Apprenticeship in plumbing verified by Vermont Apprenticeship Council, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the board. Master: Valid journeyman plumber license for at least 12 months, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the board. Veterans designated 12K Plumber (or equivalent) with at least 8,000 hours and four years of active-duty field work are issued a journeyman license without examination (Vermont Plumbing Rules 8(E)(2)).

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

Processing time: Not published by the board.

How often must a Vermont plumber license be renewed?

2 years. Continuing education: 8 hours of approved continuing education or training within 24-month period; minimum 2 hours must include Vermont plumbing code review.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Plumbers Examining Board, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety before applying. This is not legal advice.