Licensing Requirements for Plumbers and Gasfitters, Local 5 Members
Graduation Requirements for Apprentices:
- Pass all their coursework, shop classes, and module projects.
- Meet all the program’s attendance requirements.
- Zero balance on all financial obligations.
- Satisfactory standing with respect to report card submittals.
- Logged 7,700 hours of work experience (*effective 11/26/2024).
- Obtain a journey-level license in both the plumbing and the gasfitting trades. These trade licenses shall be obtained from one of the following recognized jurisdictions:
1.) State of Maryland (MD), Dept of Labor (DL), (formerly DLLR)
2.) Commonwealth of Virginia (VA), Dept of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
3.) Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) – covering Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland.
District of Columbia (DC) Journey License:
- Upon Local 5 graduation, all Journeypersons are eligible to apply for a DC Journeyperson license.
- This is not considered reciprocity, but rather, our graduates are recognized for successfullycompleting their apprenticeship and obtaining their license(s) from one of the three jurisdictionsmentioned above.
- In other words, graduation = qualification for a DC Journeyperson plumber/gasfitter license. Simplyapply and show proof of graduation, applicable fees will apply.
- A master level license will require taking an exam.
Reimbursement:
- The hall will reimburse fees for all license or certification renewals, does not apply to initial licenseapplications or first-time certifications. See separate write-up for details.
Reciprocity:
- Reciprocity means, after you obtain any given license (via examination), you may qualify forlicensure in another jurisdiction, without examination.
- In other words, the license you hold may qualify you for another license by simply applying, showing proof, and paying applicable fees.
Known reciprocity between jurisdictions (master and journey level):
- Virginia will reciprocate to WSSC, but to no other jurisdictions, states, or DC.
- Maryland will reciprocate to WSSC & Delaware, but to no other jurisdictions, states, or DC.
- WSSC will reciprocate to both Maryland and Virginia, but to no other jurisdictions, states, or DC.
- Note: Virginia residents may not reciprocate a WSSC license to Virginia; Virginia residents, who seek a Virginia license, must take the Virginia trade exams.
- DC does not currently reciprocate with any other jurisdictions or states.
- Disclaimer: we are aware that some of the above-mentioned jurisdictions are working on additionalreciprocity agreements, but their timeframes for ratification are not known. We will update this document as soon as we learn of any changes; if you learn of a change, please share it with the Training Coordinator.
Travelers:
- Without a reciprocity agreement in place, most states or jurisdictions will recognize any Journey or Master level license, issued at a state level, as qualification to sit for their exam.
- Simply apply, submit proof of licensure, take their exam, and pay. You should check their web sites for additional information.
‘General’ steps of license application, examination and registering for a license:
- Generally, obtaining a trade license, via examination, will involve a few basic steps (three, maybe four, depending on the jurisdiction, see details within each jurisdiction’s write-up below):
1.) Apply for ‘qualification’ to take an exam (apply to the jurisdiction or exam services provider).
2.) Applying to take/sit for an exam (apply to the exam services provider).
3.) Scheduling a date and then taking the exam (contact the exam services provider).
4.) Applying for the licensing / registration (apply to the jurisdiction).
See details within each jurisdiction’s write-up further below.
Additional General Notes:
- To be referenced many times below, PSI Exams (PSI) is a third-party exam services provider. PSI is contracted by every jurisdiction in the DMV, to administer their trade exams.
- For Maryland and WSSC, state law requires exam applicants to have a current cross-connection/backflow prevention certificate, prior to applying for examination and again prior to applying for/registering their license. See additional information (via separate write-up), regarding backflow in MD & WSSC.
- Virginia has a separate licensing process for backflow and your plumbing exam and/or plumbing license application are not contingent on first obtaining and/or maintaining a backflow certification. See additional information (via separate write-up), regarding backflow in VA.
- The last page of this document will include all the major links needed to navigate online to necessary forms, documents, and instructions.
Detailed Steps for obtaining a license (master or journey level), in various jurisdictions around the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area (the DMV):
WSSC:
- WSSC has separate exams for plumbing and gasfitting, at the journey and master level.
- For WSSC, PSI will ‘qualify’ each applicant on behalf of WSSC. Apply online to PSI first; your ‘qualifications’ will be reviewed as well as your application, in general. Once you receive confirmation/approval, from PSI, you will go online to schedule your exam. No interaction with WSSC is needed until after you examine.
- Upon completion of your exam, PSI will issue you a score sheet. The score sheet will include instructions for your next step (to ‘register’/obtain your actual license). Note two things; passing an exam does not make you a journeyperson or a master level licensee, and your score sheet is not electronically forwarded to WSSC’s licensing system. You must continue-on to be fully recognized/properly licensed.
- Next, go online, to WSSC’s ePermitting system, and apply for a new license or a license change/upgrade (depending on which exam you just passed). WSSC will accept applicants in-person, but know that upon arrival, they will refer you to a customer friendly computer terminal for you to apply electronically. So, consider starting remotely and only venture to WSSC if needed, where they will certainly be of help.
- Either way, first time users of the WSSC ePermitting system will be required to create a new account. Your new account will be recognized right away, allowing you to apply for a license by completing the application online and uploading several items.
- Items to upload include:
- a current driver’s license or state issued identification,
- your score sheet,
- for plumbing licenses, a copy of your current backflow certificate.
- for master level licenses (and ability to buy permits), an insurance certificate.
- These items should all be in a PDF format and located in a file system/cloud that you can interact with while in the ePermitting system, simultaneously.
- Note: that on your first license application, as they wrap up your license processing, WSSC will require you to show-up in-person to validate your identity.
- For further details, see the WSSC exam application package called the ‘Candidate Information Bulletin’ and/or WSSC’s web pages regarding exams and licensing.
Virginia:
- VA has separate exams for plumbing and gasfitting, at the journey and master level.
- For VA, DPOR will ‘qualify’ each applicant. Apply to DPOR first; your ‘qualifications’ will be reviewed as well as your application, in general.
- Once you receive confirmation/approval, from DPOR, you can then make an application to PSI and include your approval from DPOR.
- Upon approval from PSI, you will contact them via phone, or online, to schedule your exam.
- Special Note: Re: Gasfitters license.
- In VA, you must apply for the Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter’s (NGF) only license.
- The combined license titled: Journeyman Gas Fitter (GFC) will contain questions related to setting propane tanks and running a propane service line up to a building.
- This scope of work is governed by NFPA 58 and is not part of the curriculum at the training facility.
- Therefore, apply for NGF, not GFC, unless you are going to take-on the necessary self-studying from NFPA 58.
- Upon passing your exam, PSI will issue you a score sheet.
- However, you do not need to do anything, but sit tight for 5-7 business days.
- PSI will send your score to DPOR and DPOR will complete your registration to activate your license. DPOR says to go to their site, online, and you will see your license activated.
- If you do not see it after 7 business days, then contact them via phone at 804-367-8511.
- For further details, see DPOR’s web pages regarding exams and licensing.
Maryland:
- MD has one ‘combined’ exam for plumbing and gasfitting. One journey level plumbing/gas exam and one master plumbing/gas exam.
- For MD, PSI will ‘qualify’ each applicant on behalf of MD-DL. Apply online to PSI first; your ‘qualifications’ will be reviewed as well as your application, in general. Once you receive confirmation/approval, from PSI, you will go online to schedule your exam. No interaction with MD is needed until after you examine.
- Upon passing your exam, PSI will issue you a score sheet. However, you do not need to do anything, but sit tight for 5-7 business days. PSI will send your score to MD-DL and MD-DL will send you a “Registration Number.” You will then go to MD-DL’s site, online, and you will sign on using the ‘registration number’ provided, and then complete your license application.
- For further details, see MD – DL’s web pages regarding exams and licensing.
DC:
- DC has separate exams for plumbing and gasfitting, at the journey and master level.
- For DC, simply create an account with PSI first, then apply/schedule an exam, there is no pre-exam ‘qualification’ process in DC. Upon passing your exam, you will apply for your license with DC DLCP. Your ‘qualifications’ will be reviewed at the same time as your application.
- And remember, graduates of the Local 5 Training Facility are already qualified for a DC Journey level license. Simply apply, show proof of graduation, pay, and you’ll have your license.
- For further details, see DC – DLCP’s web pages regarding exams and licensing.
Links:
https://www.psiexams.com/test-takers/
then, to search for WSSC, enter: ‘WSSC’
or for Virginia enter: ‘VA Tradesman’ (remember you must apply to DPOR first)
or for Maryland enter: ‘Maryland Plumber’
DMV jurisdiction’s licensing requirements via web sites:
https://www.wsscwater.com/work-with-us/plumbing-and-inspections/plumber-information-and-licenses
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Applicants
https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/oplic.shtml
https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-industrial-trades-00
PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletins (aka application package with comprehensive instructions):
WSSC’s – PSI Online Application (process starts with creating a PSI account):
Virginia’s – PSI Candidate Bulletin (read details above, process starts with application to DPOR):
https://candidate.psiexams.com/bulletin/display_bulletin.jsp?ro=yes&actionname=83&bulletinid=112&bulletinurl=.pdf
Maryland’s – PSI Online Application (process starts with creating a PSI account):
For DC, process starts with PSI: https://candidate.psiexams.com/account/create_account.jsp
