STATE LICENSE
RequiredWest Virginia Division of Labor — Licensi…
Since January 1, 2009, W. Va. Code § 21-14-3(a) has required anyone performing or offering to perform plumbing work to hold a license from the Commissioner of Labor. A journeyman must pass a written exam with at least 70%; a master must pass the master exam, which cannot be taken until one year after passing the journeyman exam (§ 21-14-2; 42CSR32 § 10.4). Plumbers in training need no exam, and a master or journeyman may directly supervise no more than three of them (42CSR32 § 8). Licenses are valid for up to one year; fees are $75 a year for master or journeyman and $25 for a plumber in training, with a $25 late fee.
The Division of Labor's FAQ is explicit that the individual license applies regardless of the dollar amount of the job, while the business needs a Contractor Licensing Board license with the plumbing classification when the total project is $5,000 or more residential or $25,000 or more commercial — which requires the master plumber or plumbing exam plus the WV Business & Law exam. Local governments may not require any other plumber license (§ 21-14-8).
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Plumber licensing is state-only: § 21-14-8 bars any political subdivision from requiring a state licensee to hold another plumber license or evidence of competence. Contractor licensing is likewise preempted (§ 30-42-20). Local permits and inspections still apply, and permit offices must verify a contractor license or exemption affidavit (§ 30-42-10(a)).
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every West Virginia 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.
A plumber license is issued only to an individual and covers only that person; three plumbers on a job need three licenses (Division of Labor FAQ).
Per the Division of Labor, installing water lines, vents, and drains inside a building is plumbing work; replacing faucets or washers, unclogging sinks, and installing dishwashers is not.
Water and drainage lines outside the foundation walls, sewage or water treatment systems, sewers, and underground utilities are exempt from the plumber license (§ 21-14-3(c)(5)).
A practical sequence for a new plumbing contractor in West Virginia. 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.
Performing or offering plumbing work without a license triggers a cease and desist order; continuing afterward is fined, each day after notice a separate offense.
Contracting plumbing jobs above the threshold without a Contractor Licensing Board license.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County Charleston | City of Charleston Building Department (Building Commission) — Permit Office ↗ Unincorporated: Kanawha County Commission — Planning & Development Department ↗ | — |
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: ProV, Inc. plumbing exam fees (42CSR32 § 10.2 leaves the schedule to the Commissioner; no amount published on the Division's fee page) · Whether 42CSR32 imposes any continuing education requirement (none located in the retrieved text)
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.