- No dollar exemption is stated. Homeowners can get a permit for plumbing in their own home.
- Master: a journeyman license for at least 2 of the last 5 years and 2 years working under a licensed master (other routes exist for out-of-state plumbers). Journeyman: at least 2 consecutive years as an apprentice, or an approved course plus 1 year.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month. Renewal needs the fee, continuing education under 815 KAR 2:010 and proof of insurance for masters.
Do you need a state license in Kentucky?
Kentucky licenses plumbing work at the state level through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Division of Plumbing. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
No dollar exemption is stated. Homeowners can get a permit for plumbing in their own home.
Kentucky license types for plumbing work
Kentucky splits the work into 2 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 |
|---|---|
| Master plumber | Can get plumbing permits and supervises journeyman plumbers. |
| Journeyman plumber | Installs plumbing under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. |
Steps to get licensed in Kentucky
- Work at least two years as an apprentice plumber.
- File Form PLB-3 with the $50 fee and pass the journeyman exam, then get the journeyman license ($60).
- Work two years as a licensed journeyman under a master plumber.
- File Form PLB-3 with the $150 fee and pass the master exam with at least 80% on each part.
- Get $250,000 liability insurance and workers' compensation and unemployment coverage.
- Apply for the master plumber license on Form PLB-1.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: a journeyman license for at least 2 of the last 5 years and 2 years working under a licensed master (other routes exist for out-of-state plumbers). Journeyman: at least 2 consecutive years as an apprentice, or an approved course plus 1 year.
The license to apply for. Master Plumber license.
Kentucky plumbing exams
Trade exam. Kentucky master plumber exam, at least 80% on each portion. Exams are held in February, May, August and November.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Kentucky
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 |
|---|---|
| Master plumber exam | $150 |
| Journeyman plumber exam | $50 |
| Journeyman plumber license | $60 |
| Master plumber renewal | $250 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General liability insurance of at least $250,000, plus proof of compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws. Proof is needed before the master license is issued or renewed.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month. Renewal needs the fee, continuing education under 815 KAR 2:010 and proof of insurance for masters.
Reciprocity. Kentucky may license plumbers from states with a statewide plumbing code, an equal exam and a reciprocity agreement with Kentucky.
Good to know in Kentucky
- Every plumbing job needs a plumbing construction permit from the Division of Plumbing before work starts.
- A passing exam score stays valid for three years.
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 Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Division of Plumbing 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.