Colorado Plumber Licensing FAQs

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Colorado?

Any person who wishes to engage in plumbing work at the business, trade, or calling of a residential, journeyman, or master plumber in the state.A person who wishes to engage in plumbing work at the business, trade, or calling of a residential, journeyman, or master plumber in the state.

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Colorado?

• Residential Plumber
• Journeyman Plumber
• Master Plumber

Does Colorado have reciprocal licensing with other states?

The board may issue a plumber's license by endorsement provided that the applicant provides adequate proof that the person has credentials/qualifications that are substantially equivalent to requirements in Colorado for licensure by examination.

When do I need to renew my Colorado plumbing license?

Plumbing licenses expire every odd year on February 28th.

How do I renew my plumbing license in Colorado?

Renewals open approximately 6 weeks prior to the expiration date. Visit the Colorado DORA website to renew your license.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Colorado?

Yes, you must complete 16 hours each two year licensing cycle (8 hours every year) in order to renew.

My Colorado plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?

If your license has been expired less than two years:

1. Pay required fees
2. Detail any practice since your license expired
3. Provide information regarding any other plumber licenses held
4. Provide any license verification information
5. Complete the Affidavit of Eligibility section within the application
6. Upload name change documentation if applicable
7. Answer general and criminal history screening questions and upload supporting documentation

If your license has been expired for more than two years:

• Apply for reinstatement (see above steps)
• Retake & pass the full written exam

1. Meet & document the state experience requirements:
   1. Four years (6,800 hours) of practical experience
2. Complete and submit an application for licensure
3. Pay required fees
4. Take and pass the licensing exams

240 minute time limit

100 Questions – 70% correct to pass

• 12 questions: Water Supply
• 20 questions: Vents
• 8 questions: Fixtures & Equipment
• 5 questions: Piping Support & System Protection
• 5 questions: Traps, Interceptors, & Separators
• 10 questions: Storm Drainage Systems
• 20 questions: Sanitary Drainage Systems
• 5 questions: Indirect & Special Waste Piping
• 5 questions: Isometric Analysis
• 5 questions: Residential Fire Sprinklers
• 5 questions: Water Heaters

• Colorado Springs
• Denver
  • Centennial
  • Wheat Ridge
• Durango
• Grand Junction
• Fort Collins
• Pueblo

Your score will be provided to you immediately after you complete the test.

1. Meet & document the state experience requirements:
   1. Five years (8,500 hours) of practical experience
2. Complete and submit an application for licensure
3. Pay required fees
4. Take and pass the licensing exams

270 minute time limit

120 Questions – 70% correct to pass

• 14 questions: Water Supply
• 22 questions: Vents
• 10 questions: Fixtures & Equipment
• 6 questions: Piping Support & System Protection
• 6 questions: Traps, Interceptors, & Separators
• 12 questions: Storm Drainage Systems
• 22 questions: Sanitary Drainage Systems
• 6 questions: Indirect & Special Waste Piping
• 10 questions: Isometric Analysis
• 6 questions: Residential Fire Sprinklers
• 6 questions: Water Heaters

• Colorado Springs
• Denver
  • Centennial
  • Wheat Ridge
• Durango
• Grand Junction
• Fort Collins
• Pueblo

Your score will be provided to you immediately after you complete the test.

Beginning May 1, 2021 all licensed Residential, Journeyman & Master Plumbers must complete 8 hrs of continuing education every twelve months to renew a license.

This requirement is not applicable to the first renewal cycle of a license.

Every 12 month period of the 24 month renewal cycle you must complete 8 hours of continuing education (for a total of 16 hours each licensing cycle). This 8 hours will consist of any combination of the core competencies listed below as long as:

• A minimum of 4 hrs relate to codes
• No more than 2 hrs relate to safety training

Core Competencies:

• Cross connection and backflow prevention
• Fixtures, Faucets & Fixture Fittings
• Indirect/Special Waste
• Industry Product Training
• Non-potable Water Systems
• Plumbing Administration
• Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
• Sanitary Drainage
• Special Piping (Medical Gas)
• Storm Drainage
• System piping and components
• Traps, Interceptors and Separators
• Vents - DVM
• Water Heaters
• Water Supply and Distribution
• Safety related to the plumbing industry

Licensees are required to maintain their documentation of CE activities for a minimum of 6 years and furnish those documents to the board in the event of an audit. Plumbers Training Institute will maintain your records for you for 6 years at no charge.

Yes, we are a Colorado State Plumbing Board approved continuing education provider.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.