Kentucky plumber license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
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Not verified yet
Required hours
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Not verified yet
Exam
Journeyman: at least 75% in each portion, including practical. Master: at least 80% in each portion.
Renewal
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Not verified yet
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Examination fee: master $150; journeyman $50. Initial and renewal license fees: master $250; journeyman $60.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
For a master plumber, $150 ... For a journeyman plumber, fifty (50) dollars ... A license fee of $250 ... A license fee of sixty (60) dollars. ... $250 for a master plumber ... Sixty (60) dollars for a journeyman plumberOfficial source
Agency guidance
Initial licenses may be prorated for seven to eighteen months and expire on the last day of the applicant's birth month.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
may be prorated for not less than seven (7) months or more than eighteen (18) months and shall expire on the final day of the applicant's birth month.Official source
Agency guidance
CE is completed during the 12 months before renewal; the first renewal is exempt when the initial license was issued within 12 months.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
during the twelve (12) months prior to renewal ... shall not be required for a licensee's first renewal if the initial license was issued within twelve (12) months of renewal.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
Journeyman: two consecutive apprentice years, or an approved course plus one apprentice year. Master standard route: journeyman license for two of the previous five years and two years employed under a licensed master.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
At least two (2) consecutive years of experience as an apprentice plumber ... Complete a department approved course ... at least one (1) year of experience as an apprentice plumber. ... Have held a valid journeyman plumber's license for a minimum of two (2) years within the past five (5) years immediately preceding application and be actively employed in plumbing under the supervision of a licensed master plumber for a minimum of two (2) years
Official sourceExam
Journeyman: at least 75% in each portion, including practical. Master: at least 80% in each portion.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
minimum of eighty (80) percent obtained for each portion ... minimum of seventy-five (75) percent obtained for each portion ... journeyman plumber's license examination shall include a practical section
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Not verified yet
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (9)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of PlumbingOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
At least two (2) consecutive years of experience as an apprentice plumber ... Complete a department approved course ... at least one (1) year of experience as an apprentice plumber. ... Have held a valid journeyman plumber's license for a minimum of two (2) years within the past five (5) years immediately preceding application and be actively employed in plumbing under the supervision of a licensed master plumber for a minimum of two (2) yearsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
minimum of eighty (80) percent obtained for each portion ... minimum of seventy-five (75) percent obtained for each portion ... journeyman plumber's license examination shall include a practical sectionOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
at least six (6) hours of approved continuing education prior to license renewal.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Business; ... Job safety; ... The Kentucky State Plumbing Code; or ... Subject matter directly related to the plumbing trade. ... More than two (2) hours of safety practices and procedures per twelve (12) month period shall not be acceptedOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
For a master plumber, $150 ... For a journeyman plumber, fifty (50) dollars ... A license fee of $250 ... A license fee of sixty (60) dollars. ... $250 for a master plumber ... Sixty (60) dollars for a journeyman plumberOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
may be prorated for not less than seven (7) months or more than eighteen (18) months and shall expire on the final day of the applicant's birth month.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
during the twelve (12) months prior to renewal ... shall not be required for a licensee's first renewal if the initial license was issued within twelve (12) months of renewal.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (2)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.