Find a Plumber in Colorado

Colorado has a set of plumbing laws and regulations that differ from those of other states, primarily in the areas of licensing requirements, reciprocity agreements, and codes.

Licensing requirements

To work legally in Colorado, all plumbers are required to hold a state license. There are three primary levels, each requiring a set number of experience hours:

• Residential: Plumbers must complete two years of 3,400 hours of experience to obtain this license.
• Journeyman: To become a journeyman, plumbers must complete four years or 6,800 hours of experience.
• Master: You must complete five years or 8,500 hours of experience to become a master plumber.

Colorado doesn’t offer state-level licenses. Instead, it requires plumbers to hold a master license to be a plumbing contractor and register with the State Plumbing Board. All plumbers are also required to complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses.

No reciprocity

Colorado doesn’t have reciprocity agreements with other states. Plumbers can’t automatically transfer their license from another state and must apply for licensure by endorsement. To receive endorsement, your qualifications must be equivalent to Colorado’s requirements, and you have to pass a state-administered test on the International Plumbing Code (IPC).

Adopted plumbing code

While many states use the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), Colorado uses the International Plumbing Code as its adopted plumbing code. All plumbing work in Colorado must comply with IPC guidelines, which may differ from those of the UPC.