STATE LICENSE
RequiredDC Board of Industrial Trades — Departmen…
Plumber/gasfitter is a regulated occupation (D.C. Code § 47-2853.04) under the Board of Industrial Trades. The scope covers installing or repairing fixtures, water supply, drainage, venting, and excavating to connect to sewers or water mains; gasfitting covers fuel-gas piping and nonindustrial gas appliances from the meter outlet to the appliance (§ 47-2853.121). A journeyman needs 8,000 apprentice hours over at least four years, a mechanical engineering degree plus two years, or a national certifying organization's journeyman certificate (§ 47-2853.122(b)–(b-1)); a master needs four years as a journeyman (§ 47-2853.122(c)). Apprentices register without exam and work only under a master.
DLCP's fee schedule lists a $65 application fee, $120 for a master or contractor license, and $110 for a journeyman or apprentice (each up to two years); masters renew at $155 and contractors at $180. Plumbing and gasfitting licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years. Trade contractors must show a designated DC-licensed master and post a bond, which DLCP's plumbing and gasfitting bond form sets at $5,000. Only licensed masters can pull DOB plumbing permits.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Plumbing licensing is District-wide with no other licensing layer. DOB issues plumbing permits only to licensed masters, and DC Water reviews new water and sewer connections. Excavating in public space to connect a service line also needs DDOT public space approval.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every District of Columbia county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
DLCP lists plumber and gasfitter licenses as expiring March 31 of even-numbered years.
Gas piping and nonindustrial gas appliances from the meter outlet onward are gasfitting under the same Board (§ 47-2853.121(b)).
A journeyman certificate from a registered national certifying organization is accepted in lieu of the exam (§ 47-2853.122(b-1)).
A practical sequence for a new plumbing contractor in District of Columbia. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Violating any provision of the licensing subchapter, including practicing without a license.
Civil fines may be imposed as an alternative sanction.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
| County · City | Permit office | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Washington (consolidated gov.) | District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB) — Permitting ↗ | Citizen Access Portal ↗ |
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: The DCMR chapter governing plumber and gasfitter licensing (classes, exam, bond amount by rule) was not located among the Title 17 chapters; the $5,000 bond comes from DLCP's bond form · Terms of the Maryland plumbing reciprocity notice posted by DLCP (notice text not retrieved) · Continuing education requirement, if any, for plumber or gasfitter renewal · Plumbing exam fees charged by PSI
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.