Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Kentucky's official board.
Governed by 815 KAR Chapter 20 (plumbing licenses) and 815 KAR 2:010 (continuing education). Uses the 2023 Kentucky State Plumbing Law, Regulations and Code Book.
| Requirements | Journeyman: at least 1 year experience as an apprentice plumber plus a department-approved course covering plumbing practice / the Kentucky State Plumbing Code (generally ~2 years experience total); pass written exam (2.5 hrs) and practical exam (2.5 hrs) at 75%+. Master: hold journeyman experience (generally ~2 years post-journeyman / ~4 years total); pass the master exam (2.5 hrs) at 80%+. |
| Reciprocity | None, and no examination is ever waived. What Kentucky publishes is an out-of-state qualifying pathway at the master tier only. Under 815 KAR 20:030 Section 2 (last amended effective 12-5-2023) an applicant may qualify to SIT for the Kentucky master plumber examination if the applicant held a valid plumbing license issued by another state for at least two of the preceding five years, or practised plumbing in a master-equivalent capacity for at least four consecutive years in a state that issues no plumbing license at all. Either way the applicant must submit Form PLB-1, pass the Kentucky master plumber examination at 80% or better on every section, and pay a $250 license fee. No states are named; the Division of Plumbing evaluates the documentation case by case. For the journeyman tier there is no out-of-state or reciprocity provision at all: Section 3 qualifies an applicant strictly through two years as a Kentucky apprentice, or a Kentucky-approved course plus one year of apprentice experience, and always requires passing Kentucky's own journeyman examination at 75% or better. |
| Renewal | Licenses renew annually; proof of continuing education (per 815 KAR 2:010) must be submitted before renewal/certification renewal. |
| Notes | Governed by 815 KAR Chapter 20 (plumbing licenses) and 815 KAR 2:010 (continuing education). Uses the 2023 Kentucky State Plumbing Law, Regulations and Code Book. |
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Sources: dhbc.ky.gov, dhbc.ky.gov, apps.legislature.ky.gov, dhbc.ky.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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