- P-1 needs two years as a licensed unlimited journeyperson, or equivalent experience and training. The equivalency path for P-1 lists 576 classroom hours and 12,000 hours of on the job training. The P-2 journeyperson license needs a registered apprenticeship or equivalent experience and training.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Every year. All plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31.
Do you need a state license in Connecticut?
Connecticut licenses plumbing work at the state level through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational and Professional Licensing Division. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Connecticut license types for plumbing work
Connecticut splits the work into 6 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor | All plumbing and piping work |
| P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber | All plumbing and piping work, only while employed by a licensed contractor |
| P-7 Limited Sewer, Storm and Water Contractor | Water, sewer and storm lines from the utility to just inside the building |
| J-1 Limited Contractor | Domestic water pumps and water conditioning only |
| J-3 Limited Lawn Sprinkler Contractor | Lawn sprinkler systems |
| P-9 Limited Gasoline Tank, Piping and Pump Contractor | Piping for petroleum tanks and related pumps only |
Steps to get licensed in Connecticut
- Finish a registered apprenticeship, or document equivalent experience and training, and get your P-2 journeyperson license.
- Work two years as a licensed journeyperson, or document 576 classroom hours and 12,000 hours of on the job training for the equivalency path.
- Apply to the Department of Consumer Protection for the P-1 contractor license and pay the $150 application fee.
- Register for and pass the exam, paying the exam vendor its separate fee.
- Renew every year before your license expires on October 31.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. P-1 needs two years as a licensed unlimited journeyperson, or equivalent experience and training. The equivalency path for P-1 lists 576 classroom hours and 12,000 hours of on the job training. The P-2 journeyperson license needs a registered apprenticeship or equivalent experience and training.
The license to apply for. P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor.
Connecticut plumbing exams
Trade exam. Yes. Every applicant takes an exam. DCP points construction trade candidates, plumbing included, to PSI bulletins, and the exam vendor charges its own fee at registration.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Connecticut
The board lists 4 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Contractor application fee | $150 |
| Journeyperson application fee | $90 |
| Contractor renewal | $150 |
| Journeyperson renewal | $120 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year. All plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire October 31.
Reciprocity. Connecticut has no reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction. Holders of an equivalent out of state license can apply through a separate equivalency path.
Good to know in Connecticut
- Only individuals can apply. DCP does not accept company applications.
- Work covered by a trade license falls outside home improvement registration, so the plumbing license is what covers this work on homes.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a plumber near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational and Professional Licensing Division and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how plumbing companies run on Koira.