Vermont Plumber License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

Vermont master plumber, journeyman plumber and specialist licenses from the Vermont Plumbers' Examining Board are valid for two years and expire on the last day of a month the Board designates. The renewal application and fee must reach the Division of Fire Safety before the license expires, with proof of 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education from the previous 24 months (at least 2 hours of code review) and the Vermont Energy Goals education module. A lapsed license can be renewed within 90 days of its expiration date for a $15 reinstatement fee on top of the renewal fee; after 90 days you apply for reinstatement and appear before the Board.

At a glance

Who needs it: All plumbing and specialty work in Vermont must be done by someone licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 39, except the work 26 V.S.A. § 2198 lists, such as work by an owner or the owner's regular employees in the owner-occupied, freestanding single-family home
Licenses: Master plumber, journeyman plumber, and specialist licenses for P1 water heater, P2 heating system and P3 water treatment work
Renews every: 2 years. A license is valid for two years and expires on the last day of a month designated by the Board
Renewal notice: A notice of renewal and the renewal application are provided to each licensee before the license expires. If none has arrived, it's your responsibility to contact the licensing office for a renewal application before your expiration date
Deadline: The renewal application and the fee must be received by the Division before the date your license expires
Renewal fee: Two-year fees, set in 26 V.S.A. § 2193(c) and subject to change by the Legislature: master $120, journeyman $90, specialist $50 per specialty field (a P1/P2 license covers two fields). Master and journeyman plumbers don't also pay specialist fees
Continuing education: 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education or training within the previous 24 months, at least 2 hours of it code review. A course counts for only one license renewal, and a copy of the course certificate is acceptable proof. The list of approved courses is linked from the Division's Plumbing page
Energy module: Every renewal also needs the Vermont Energy Goals education module (no more than two hours). Send a copy of the completion certificate with your application. A master or journeyman who completes it doesn't need it again for an additional specialty license
Renew: Online through the Online Renewal link on the Division's Plumbing page. The form asks for your license number and expiration date, your contact details, and statements on child support, taxes, unemployment contributions and court fines
If it lapses: A lapsed license can be renewed within 90 days of its expiration date with a $15 reinstatement fee on top of the renewal fee
After 90 days: A license not renewed within 90 days of its expiration date needs an application for reinstatement, and you appear before the Board to request it. The Division's online renewal form adds that if you don't renew within 2 years of expiration, you reapply and pass the appropriate examinations
On the job: Carry your wallet-sized license card at all times while working at the trade, and show it when asked
Other fees: A license certificate suitable for framing: $10
Contact: Division of Fire Safety, Licensing, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671. 802-479-7564, DPS.DFSLicensing@vermont.gov. Tell the Division when your address changes

Keep your mailing address current with the Division: renewal notices go to it, and it's your responsibility to report a change.

How to renew

Check your license's expiration date: licenses run two years and end on the last day of a month. No renewal notice yet? Contact the licensing office.
Finish 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education (at least 2 hours of code review) within the 24 months before renewal, plus the Vermont Energy Goals module. Keep the certificates: a course counts for only one renewal.
Renew online through the Division's Online Renewal link, with copies of your CE certificates and energy module certificate.
Pay the two-year fee ($120 master, $90 journeyman, $50 per specialty field) so the application and fee arrive before your license expires.

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

90 days outCheck your expiration date and count your Board-approved CE hours from the last 24 months: you need 8, with at least 2 of code review.
60 days outBook any CE you still need and complete the Vermont Energy Goals module. Save every certificate.
30 days outNo renewal notice yet? Contact the licensing office. Then renew online with your certificates and pay the fee ($120 master, $90 journeyman, $50 per specialty field).
Expiration dayThe application and fee must be received before today. Missed it? You have 90 days to renew with the $15 reinstatement fee; after that you appear before the Board.

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 Vermont electrician license, if you also hold one (licensed separately through the Division of Fire Safety)
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

How often do you renew a Vermont plumber license?

Every 2 years. A license is valid for two years and expires on the last day of a month designated by the Board. The renewal application and fee must be received before the date your license expires.

How much does it cost to renew a Vermont plumber license?

Master $120, journeyman $90, specialist $50 per specialty field, for two years. A lapsed license renewed within 90 days of its expiration date costs $15 more.

How many CE hours do Vermont plumbers need?

8 hours of Board-approved continuing education or training within the previous 24 months, at least 2 hours of it code review. A course counts for only one license renewal. Every renewal also needs the Vermont Energy Goals education module.

What if my Vermont plumber license expired?

Within 90 days of its expiration date you can renew it with a $15 reinstatement fee on top of the renewal fee. After 90 days you apply for reinstatement and appear before the Board.

Official sources

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

Vermont Division of Fire Safety, Plumbing

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Vermont guides

All Vermont guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

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

Vermont Plumber License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: All plumbing and specialty work in Vermont must be done by someone licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 39, except the work 26 V.S.A. § 2198 lists, such as work by an owner or the owner's regular employees in the owner-occupied, freestanding single-family home
Licenses: Master plumber, journeyman plumber, and specialist licenses for P1 water heater, P2 heating system and P3 water treatment work
Renews every: 2 years. A license is valid for two years and expires on the last day of a month designated by the Board
Renewal notice: A notice of renewal and the renewal application are provided to each licensee before the license expires. If none has arrived, it's your responsibility to contact the licensing office for a renewal application before your expiration date
Deadline: The renewal application and the fee must be received by the Division before the date your license expires
Renewal fee: Two-year fees, set in 26 V.S.A. § 2193(c) and subject to change by the Legislature: master $120, journeyman $90, specialist $50 per specialty field (a P1/P2 license covers two fields). Master and journeyman plumbers don't also pay specialist fees
Continuing education: 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education or training within the previous 24 months, at least 2 hours of it code review. A course counts for only one license renewal, and a copy of the course certificate is acceptable proof. The list of approved courses is linked from the Division's Plumbing page
Energy module: Every renewal also needs the Vermont Energy Goals education module (no more than two hours). Send a copy of the completion certificate with your application. A master or journeyman who completes it doesn't need it again for an additional specialty license
Renew: Online through the Online Renewal link on the Division's Plumbing page. The form asks for your license number and expiration date, your contact details, and statements on child support, taxes, unemployment contributions and court fines
If it lapses: A lapsed license can be renewed within 90 days of its expiration date with a $15 reinstatement fee on top of the renewal fee
After 90 days: A license not renewed within 90 days of its expiration date needs an application for reinstatement, and you appear before the Board to request it. The Division's online renewal form adds that if you don't renew within 2 years of expiration, you reapply and pass the appropriate examinations
On the job: Carry your wallet-sized license card at all times while working at the trade, and show it when asked
Other fees: A license certificate suitable for framing: $10
Contact: Division of Fire Safety, Licensing, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671. 802-479-7564, DPS.DFSLicensing@vermont.gov. Tell the Division when your address changes

Keep your mailing address current with the Division: renewal notices go to it, and it's your responsibility to report a change.

How to renew

Check your license's expiration date: licenses run two years and end on the last day of a month. No renewal notice yet? Contact the licensing office.
Finish 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education (at least 2 hours of code review) within the 24 months before renewal, plus the Vermont Energy Goals module. Keep the certificates: a course counts for only one renewal.
Renew online through the Division's Online Renewal link, with copies of your CE certificates and energy module certificate.
Pay the two-year fee ($120 master, $90 journeyman, $50 per specialty field) so the application and fee arrive before your license expires.

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

90 days outCheck your expiration date and count your Board-approved CE hours from the last 24 months: you need 8, with at least 2 of code review.
60 days outBook any CE you still need and complete the Vermont Energy Goals module. Save every certificate.
30 days outNo renewal notice yet? Contact the licensing office. Then renew online with your certificates and pay the fee ($120 master, $90 journeyman, $50 per specialty field).
Expiration dayThe application and fee must be received before today. Missed it? You have 90 days to renew with the $15 reinstatement fee; after that you appear before the Board.

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 Vermont electrician license, if you also hold one (licensed separately through the Division of Fire Safety)
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

How often do you renew a Vermont plumber license?

Every 2 years. A license is valid for two years and expires on the last day of a month designated by the Board. The renewal application and fee must be received before the date your license expires.

How much does it cost to renew a Vermont plumber license?

Master $120, journeyman $90, specialist $50 per specialty field, for two years. A lapsed license renewed within 90 days of its expiration date costs $15 more.

How many CE hours do Vermont plumbers need?

What if my Vermont plumber license expired?

Within 90 days of its expiration date you can renew it with a $15 reinstatement fee on top of the renewal fee. After 90 days you apply for reinstatement and appear before the Board.

Official sources

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

Vermont Division of Fire Safety, Plumbing

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Vermont guides

All Vermont guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

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