Colorado Plumber License Renewal (State Plumbing Board)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 4 min read

Every Colorado plumbing license (residential, journeyworker and master) and every plumbing contractor registration expires on the last day of February in odd-numbered years, so the current ones all run out on February 28, 2027. Renewing a plumbing license needs 8 hours of continuing education for each year of the license period, and from March 1, 2027 plumbing licenses move to a three-year cycle.

At a glance

Who needs it: Residential, journeyworker and master plumbers need a license from the Division of Professions and Occupations. A plumbing contractor needs a registration with the State Plumbing Board, and must be, or employ full-time, a master plumber, who can be responsible for only one contractor at a time
Expires: The final day of February in odd-numbered years, for every plumbing license and plumbing contractor registration. The current ones expire February 28, 2027
Next cycle: Starting with the cycle that begins March 1, 2027, plumbing licenses are issued and renewed for 3 years, with the next expiration date in 2030
Continuing education: At least 8 hours during each year (March 1 through February 28) of the license period, from a provider that has attested to the Board. Within every 24 months, at least 4 hours must be on codes, and no more than 2 hours of safety training count
First renewal: If you got your license by exam during the current license period, you don't need CE until after your first renewal
Plumbing Code: When you renew, you attest that you have read the current Colorado Plumbing Code
CE records: Keep your own certificates or transcripts for at least 6 years: you send them only if you're audited
Renew: Online in your DPO Online Services account, using the "Complete License Renewal" link. The board says renewals open about 4 to 5 weeks before the expiration date
Grace period: 60 days after expiration to renew without a reinstatement application, with a delinquency fee. After that you can't practice until the license or registration is reinstated
Reinstatement: Expired more than 60 days but less than 2 years: a reinstatement application, the reinstatement fee and 8 hours of CE for each year since your last renewal or reinstatement. Expired more than 2 years: you have to show competency, for example by passing the state plumbing exam
Contractors: Registration requires proof that you comply with Colorado's workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws, and a contractor with expired permits can't renew its registration until they're cleared
Fee: Check DPO for the current renewal fee when you renew. Renewing during the grace period adds a delinquency fee

Since July 1, 2025, plumbing contractors must show their registration number and their responsible master plumber's license number on their vehicles, billing materials, bid sheets and website.

The license once called journeyman is now called journeyworker.

A new license issued within 120 days of the upcoming expiration date is issued with the next expiration date instead.

How to renew

Log in to your DPO Online Services account and check the expiration date on your license or registration.
Finish at least 8 CE hours for each year of the license period with a provider that has attested to the Board, including at least 4 code hours, and keep the certificates.
Read the current Colorado Plumbing Code: you attest to it when you renew.
Contractors: clear any expired permits and make sure you still comply with Colorado's workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws.
Renew online with the "Complete License Renewal" link once the renewal window opens, by the last day of February.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Fall 2026Count your CE hours for March 2025 to February 2026 and March 2026 to February 2027: at least 8 in each year, and at least 4 code hours in total.
January 2027Contractors: clear any expired permits, or the registration can't be renewed. Read the current Colorado Plumbing Code.
Window opensAbout 4 to 5 weeks before the expiration date, a "Complete License Renewal" link appears in your DPO Online Services account. Renew then.
February 28, 2027The current licenses and contractor registrations expire today.
60 days afterThe grace period ends. After it, you can't practice until the license or registration is reinstated.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your plumbing contractor registration, on the same date as the licenses
The licenses of the plumbers who work for you
City or county contractor licenses: Colorado lets local governments license plumbing contractors, on top of the state registration
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Colorado plumbing licenses expire?

On the final day of February in odd-numbered years, for every plumbing license and plumbing contractor registration. The current ones expire February 28, 2027.

How many CE hours do Colorado plumbers need?

At least 8 hours during each year (March 1 through February 28) of the license period, from a provider that has attested to the Board. Within every 24 months, at least 4 hours must be on codes, and no more than 2 hours of safety training count.

Is Colorado moving to a 3-year plumbing license?

Yes. Starting with the cycle that begins March 1, 2027, plumbing licenses are issued and renewed for 3 years, with the next expiration date in 2030.

What if my Colorado plumbing license expired?

You have 60 days after expiration to renew without a reinstatement application, with a delinquency fee. After that you can't practice until the license or registration is reinstated.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Colorado State Plumbing Board (DPO), Applications and Renewals

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Colorado guides

All Colorado guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Colorado Plumber License Renewal (State Plumbing Board)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 4 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Residential, journeyworker and master plumbers need a license from the Division of Professions and Occupations. A plumbing contractor needs a registration with the State Plumbing Board, and must be, or employ full-time, a master plumber, who can be responsible for only one contractor at a time
Expires: The final day of February in odd-numbered years, for every plumbing license and plumbing contractor registration. The current ones expire February 28, 2027
Next cycle: Starting with the cycle that begins March 1, 2027, plumbing licenses are issued and renewed for 3 years, with the next expiration date in 2030
Continuing education: At least 8 hours during each year (March 1 through February 28) of the license period, from a provider that has attested to the Board. Within every 24 months, at least 4 hours must be on codes, and no more than 2 hours of safety training count
First renewal: If you got your license by exam during the current license period, you don't need CE until after your first renewal
Plumbing Code: When you renew, you attest that you have read the current Colorado Plumbing Code
CE records: Keep your own certificates or transcripts for at least 6 years: you send them only if you're audited
Renew: Online in your DPO Online Services account, using the "Complete License Renewal" link. The board says renewals open about 4 to 5 weeks before the expiration date
Grace period: 60 days after expiration to renew without a reinstatement application, with a delinquency fee. After that you can't practice until the license or registration is reinstated
Reinstatement: Expired more than 60 days but less than 2 years: a reinstatement application, the reinstatement fee and 8 hours of CE for each year since your last renewal or reinstatement. Expired more than 2 years: you have to show competency, for example by passing the state plumbing exam
Contractors: Registration requires proof that you comply with Colorado's workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws, and a contractor with expired permits can't renew its registration until they're cleared
Fee: Check DPO for the current renewal fee when you renew. Renewing during the grace period adds a delinquency fee

Since July 1, 2025, plumbing contractors must show their registration number and their responsible master plumber's license number on their vehicles, billing materials, bid sheets and website.

The license once called journeyman is now called journeyworker.

A new license issued within 120 days of the upcoming expiration date is issued with the next expiration date instead.

How to renew

Log in to your DPO Online Services account and check the expiration date on your license or registration.
Finish at least 8 CE hours for each year of the license period with a provider that has attested to the Board, including at least 4 code hours, and keep the certificates.
Read the current Colorado Plumbing Code: you attest to it when you renew.
Contractors: clear any expired permits and make sure you still comply with Colorado's workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws.
Renew online with the "Complete License Renewal" link once the renewal window opens, by the last day of February.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Fall 2026Count your CE hours for March 2025 to February 2026 and March 2026 to February 2027: at least 8 in each year, and at least 4 code hours in total.
January 2027Contractors: clear any expired permits, or the registration can't be renewed. Read the current Colorado Plumbing Code.
Window opensAbout 4 to 5 weeks before the expiration date, a "Complete License Renewal" link appears in your DPO Online Services account. Renew then.
February 28, 2027The current licenses and contractor registrations expire today.
60 days afterThe grace period ends. After it, you can't practice until the license or registration is reinstated.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your plumbing contractor registration, on the same date as the licenses
The licenses of the plumbers who work for you
City or county contractor licenses: Colorado lets local governments license plumbing contractors, on top of the state registration
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Colorado plumbing licenses expire?

On the final day of February in odd-numbered years, for every plumbing license and plumbing contractor registration. The current ones expire February 28, 2027.

How many CE hours do Colorado plumbers need?

Is Colorado moving to a 3-year plumbing license?

Yes. Starting with the cycle that begins March 1, 2027, plumbing licenses are issued and renewed for 3 years, with the next expiration date in 2030.

What if my Colorado plumbing license expired?

You have 60 days after expiration to renew without a reinstatement application, with a delinquency fee. After that you can't practice until the license or registration is reinstated.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Colorado State Plumbing Board (DPO), Applications and Renewals

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Colorado guides

All Colorado guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet