Colorado Plumbing License: Plumbers Must Know About This

A plumbing license is a crucial document since it shows your competency and expertise in plumbing fittings & fixtures. Having one sets you different from the crowd, and not having a license would keep the taps closed, restricting the flow of opportunities coming your way. 

According to Coloradophcc, the demand for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is set to increase by 21% in the current decade. As discussed, it requires a license to grab the 21% growth, but how would you obtain a Colorado plumbing license? Don’t worry; we have come up with this article through which you would be halfway through obtaining a plumbing license.

By investing 5-6 hours, we got everything ready for you so that you just need to open a few links, create accounts, add details, appear for exams, and there you become a certified plumber.

Eligibility Requirements for Colorado Plumbing License

Depending on the kind of license you’re seeking, there are different eligibility requirements for obtaining a plumbing license in Colorado. However, in general, Colorado’s plumbing licensing requirements are as follows:

• Plumbing aspirants must possess a trade school diploma or the equivalent in formal education. Plumbing-related trade or technical training is also necessary.

• Candidates must have at least four years of experience working as pipefitters or plumbers. The last ten years must have passed since you gained this experience.

• Candidates must succeed in both a written and practical exam. The International Plumbing Code and the Colorado Plumbing Regulations are covered on the written test. The installation of a plumbing system and its repair are covered by the practical test.

• Plumbing license seekers must successfully pass a criminal background check.

• Application, examination, and license fees must all be paid by license seekers.

• Education and training: Plumbing aspirants must satisfy the board-established requirements for continued education.

You are on your way to becoming a licensed Colorado plumber, but do you know how many types of licenses are available? Don’t worry; our next section discusses different types of Colorado plumbing licenses.

Types of Plumbing Licenses in Colorado

To acquire a plumbing license, you must get yourself registered as an apprentice with DORA. The registration work should be done within 30 days of getting a plumbing job. Besides, your employer should attach a registration with $30 as a registration fee to the master plumber under whom you will be employed.

Here are the three types of plumbing contractor licenses:

1. Residential plumbing license

This plumbing contractor license is allotted to the plumber who has 

• Two years of practical plumbing experience, which is even equal to 3,400 hours of practical experience
• United States citizens have a valid social security number

Being a residential plumber, you can perform plumbing jobs, such as installations, repairs, and pipe fittings. The residential plumbers’ license fee is $100.

2. Journeyman plumbing license

This plumbing contractor license is allotted to the plumber who has

• Four years of experience or 6,800 hours of practical experience
• Submit an affidavit of eligibility
• United States citizen with a valid social security number

As a Journeyman plumber, you would be able to perform commercial and residential plumbing services. The license fee for a Journeyman plumber is $120.

3. Master plumbing license

This plumbing contractor license is allotted to the plumber who has

• Five years of experience or 9,780 hours of practical experience
• Submit an affidavit of eligibility
• United States citizen with a valid social security number.

As a master plumber, you would be able to perform commercial and residential plumbing services. Besides, you can even train apprentice plumbers under you. The license fee for a Journeyman plumber is $140.

Now that you know the different types of licenses in Colorado, let’s see which different insurance you must buy or get insured if employed somewhere.

Plumbers Insurance in Colorado

Insurance is another mandatory factor to fulfill to obtain a plumbing license in Colorado.

If you are working under or employed by a journeyman or master plumber, then you are covered under your employer’s policy.

On the other hand, if you train others under you, you must consider

• $100,000 as property damage insurance
• $300,000 as general liability insurance

Now that you know the colorado plumbing license requirements, let’s see which exams you have to appear for to get a plumber’s license.

Plumbing Exam and Application Procedure

Since you know only experience doesn’t count for availing a plumbing contractor license, let’s discuss plumbing exams.

PSI testing services are assigned the role of conducting plumbing exams by the Colorado state plumbing board. You can connect with PSI once you have a minimum number of years of experience.

There is a Candidate Information Bulletin that contains every single piece of information about the exam and application procedure. Go through

• Residential Plumber
• Journeyman Plumber
• Master Plumber

Exam Fees

• For each of the three exams: $75
• For retest: $70

PSI exam centers:

• Grand Junction
• Durango
• Pueblo
• Colorado Springs
• Denver
• Fort Collins

1. Residential plumber license exam

• 270 minutes to attend 120 marks paper
• Minimum 70% to be eligible

Here is a topic to make yourself prepared for before applying for the residential plumbing contractor’s license exam:

• Vents
• Water supply
• Fixtures & equipment
• Traps
• Piping Support & System  Protection
• Residential
• Fire Sprinklers
• Water Heaters

2. Journeyman plumber license exam

• 240 minutes to attend 100 marks paper
• Minimum 70% to be eligible

Here is a topic to make yourself prepared for before applying for the Journeyman plumbers license exam:

• Fixtures & plumbing tools
• Traps, interceptors, and separators
• System protection & piping support
• Water Supply
• Vents
• Isometric Analysis
• Water Heaters
• Sanitary Drainage Systems
• Storm Drainage Systems
• Indirect & Special Waster Piping

3. Master plumber exam

• 270 minutes to attend 120 marks paper
• Minimum 70% to be eligible

Here is a topic to make yourself prepared for before applying for the master plumber license exam:

• Fixtures & Equipements
• Traps, interceptors, and separators
• Vents
• Isometric Analysis
• Water Heaters
• Sanitary Drainage Systems
• System protection & piping support
• Water Supply
• Storm Drainage Systems
• Traps, interceptors, and separators
• Vents
• Indirect & Special Waster Piping

Apply in your suitable category and become a licensed plumber. The story doesn’t end here; you must also maintain and renew it. How to do it and from where to do it is discussed in our next section.

Maintenance & Renewal of Colorado Plumbing License

Firstly, the Colorado plumber’s license expires and needs to be renewed every three years. The state licensing board sends a reminder to the license holder before the expiration. It is equally important to renew a license to avoid any hassle when taking up or performing any plumbing jobs. Besides, if it expires, then the license holder has to undergo an entire reapplication process and meet the new requirements.

On the other hand, plumbing contractors must finish continuing education courses since it is one of the factors to accomplish when renewing a license. Moreover, the state demands 14 hours of continuing education per renewal period, out of which two hours should be allotted to code updates and two hours to business management courses. 

Another method through which plumbers can avail license is by bypassing the state licensing exam or by successfully finishing a plumbing apprenticeship program approved by the Colorado state. The renewal fee is $18.

Conclusion

In conclusion, anyone wishing to operate as a plumber in the state of Colorado must first get and maintain a Colorado plumber’s license. People must pass a test and fulfill the state’s education and experience requirements to receive a license. Plumbers must renew their licenses every three years and complete continuing education requirements to keep their licenses active. 

Besides, you must add InvoiceOwl estimating & invoicing software because once you get a license, you would run out of time to get administratives tasks done. Having an automated software would make you worry-free for estimating and invoicing tasks. Spend hours on your plumbing tasks and seconds on creating invoices with the software.