Virginia Plumber Exam Prep Courses & Reference Materials

We offer everything you need to prepare for the Virginia Master Plumber and Virginia Journeyman Plumber Exams at PSI.

To prepare for the exam, you will need the required reference manual and tabs as well as our exam prep course. We also give the option to purchase a pre-tabbed and highlighted reference manual, saving you valuable hours of highlighting the information within the book yourself.

All applicants must apply to the state prior to registering with PSI for an examination.

You can find the Virginia Tradesman license application at DPOR's website here.

Virginia Plumber License

Per DPOR, “Plumbing work” includes the installation, maintenance, extension, or alteration or removal of piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the following:
Backflow prevention devices; Boilers; Domestic sprinklers; Hot water baseboard heating systems; Hydronic heating systems; Process piping; Public/private water supply systems within or adjacent to any building, structure or conveyance; Sanitary or storm drainage facilities; Steam heating systems; Storage tanks incidental to the installation of related systems; Venting systems; or Water heaters.

Plumbing tradesmen may also install, maintain, extend or alter the following:

1. Liquid waste systems
2. Sewerage systems
3. Stormwater systems
4. Water supply systems

“Master” means a person who possesses the necessary ability, proficiency, and qualifications to plan and lay out the details for installation and supervise the work of installing, repairing and maintaining specific types of materials and equipment utilizing a working knowledge sufficient to comply with the pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

“Journeyman” means a person who possesses the necessary ability, proficiency, and qualifications to install, repair and maintain specific types of materials and equipment, utilizing a working knowledge sufficient to comply with the pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and according to plans and specifications.

You can also refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin here for more information on testing policies.

Requirements for Master Applicants

Master Plumber Applicants must furnish evidence that one of the following experience and education standards has been attained: one year of experience as a licensed journeyman;

Alternative experience for Master applicants:

• On or after July 1, 1995, an applicant with 10 years of practical experience in the trade, as verified by reference letters of experience from any of the following: building officials, building inspectors, current or former employers, contractors, engineers, architects or current or past clients, attesting to the applicant's work in the trade, may be granted permission to sit for the master's level examination without having to meet the educational requirements

Requirements for Journeyman Applicants

Journeyman Plumber Applicants must furnish evidence that one of the following experience and education standards has been attained: Four years of practical experience in the trade and 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade. Experience in excess of four years may be substituted for formal vocational training at a ratio of one year of experience for 80 hours of formal training, but not to exceed 200 hours.

Alternative experience for Journeyman applicants:

• An associate degree or a certificate of completion from at least a two-year program in a tradesman-related field from an accredited community college or technical school as evidenced by a transcript from the educational institution and two years of practical experience in the trade for which licensure is desired;
• A bachelor's degree received from an accredited college or university in an engineering curriculum related to the trade and one year of practical experience in the trade for which licensure is desired;
• On or after July 1, 1995, an applicant with 10 years of practical experience in the trade as verified by reference letters of experience from any of the following: building officials, building inspectors, current or former employers, contractors, engineers, architects or current or past clients attesting to the applicant’s work in the trade, may be granted permission to sit for the journeyman’s level examination without having to meet the educational requirements