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How to become a plumber in West Virginia

The license steps in West Virginia, from apprentice to master or contractor, taken from the official licensing pages – plus pay, apprenticeships and where to apply.

The short answer

Everyone doing plumbing work in West Virginia needs a Division of Labor certification: start as a licensed Plumber in Training under a master or journeyman, pass the written journeyman exam (70% or better), then take the master exam no sooner than one year after passing the journeyman exam; licenses renew annually.

The steps in West Virginia

  1. 1

    Start as an apprentice

    West Virginia requires a plumber certification for anyone doing plumbing work, so beginners must be licensed as a Plumber in Training and work under the direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyman plumber.

  2. 2

    Earn your journeyman (first independent) license

    A journeyman plumber must certify experience and pass a written journeyman exam with a score of at least 70 percent; testing is administered by ProV, Inc.

  3. 3

    Master or contractor license

    The master plumber written exam (70 percent passing score) may be taken no sooner than one year after passing the journeyman exam.

  4. 4

    Keep your license current

    West Virginia plumber licenses are valid for up to one year and are renewed on or before the expiration date; no continuing education requirement was found in the statute or rule.

Who licenses plumbers in West Virginia

West Virginia Division of Labor (Plumber Certification; Contractor Licensing Board). License types we found: Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Plumber in Training.

Official application page

Already licensed? Anyone can check a license on labor.wv.gov.

Licensed in another state?

The Commissioner may license plumbers from other states without examination when that state's requirements are equivalent and the applicant shows satisfactory proof of qualifications.

Finding an apprenticeship

Most plumbers learn the trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year plus classroom instruction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeships are paid jobs with progressive wage increases, classroom instruction and a portable, nationally recognized credential; programs are approved by the Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Search programs at apprenticeship.gov, or ask local plumbing contractors and union locals.

Pay and job outlook

$63,800

Median yearly pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, May 2025 (BLS).

7%

Projected job growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 openings a year (BLS).

4-5 years

Typical apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year (BLS).

National figures from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; pay varies by state and city.

Already a plumber in West Virginia?

17 plumbing businesses are listed on Plumbers Pages so far. Add your business free, or see plumbers in West Virginia.

Sources

Requirements come from West Virginia’s official licensing pages and statutes, checked October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the licensing office before you apply.

  1. labor.wv.gov/licensing/plumber-certification/plumber-certification-faq
  2. labor.wv.gov/plumber-certification
  3. labor.wv.gov/media/234/download?inline
  4. labor.wv.gov/media/233/download?inline
  5. code.wvlegislature.gov/30-42-3/
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
  7. U.S. Department of Labor – Apprenticeship.gov for career seekers

General information, not legal advice. All states · How we write our guides

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