Plumber License from Illinois to Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program) ↗
A plumbing license transfers from Illinois to Virginia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program), verify your Illinois license, and meet Virginia's endorsement requirements. Virginia does not waive its journeyman plumber trade exam for any U.S. state. Under 18VAC50-30-70 an out-of-state journeyman/master plumber whose issuing jurisdiction the Board for Contractors finds 'substantially equivalent' is recognized as meeting Virginia's experience/education requirements, but MUST STILL sit for and pass the Virginia tradesman plumber examination. The only exam exemption is the Board's examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which exempts WSSC-licensed journeyman and master plumbers (and gas fitters) from the Virginia exam.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Illinois is not among the states Virginia names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program)'s individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. Virginia does not waive its journeyman plumber trade exam for any U.S. state. Under 18VAC50-30-70 an out-of-state journeyman/master plumber whose issuing jurisdiction the Board for Contractors finds 'substantially equivalent' is recognized as meeting Virginia's experience/education requirements, but MUST STILL sit for and pass the Virginia tradesman plumber examination. The only exam exemption is the Board's examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which exempts WSSC-licensed journeyman and master plumbers (and gas fitters) from the Virginia exam. Bring your Illinois license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, Illinois → Virginia
| Illinois (current) | Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $225 (Application fee for a plumber registered or licensed in Chicago or outside Illinois is $225 (an in-state Illinois licensed-apprentice applicant pays $175); a separate $150 plumber's license fee applies on issuance (68 Ill. Adm. Code 750.1100). The City-of-Chicago reciprocity (license without exam) carries a $150 license fee. Returned-check fee $100) | $171.75 ($171.75 examination or reciprocity application fee on the current DPOR application (apprenticeship-program route $131.75), which includes a $7.25/year technology fee (2026 HB30); fees nonrefundable. Regulation 18VAC50-30-90 historically listed a $130 original fee (superseded by the current application fee)) |
| Processing time | No board-stated processing time; the examination application is due at least 30 days before the examination date | DPOR does not publish a standard processing time; exams are scheduled through the board's testing vendor (PSI) |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — Plumbing Program | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Virginia's current requirements on the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Submit the Tradesman (PLB) exam & license application to the Board for Contractors with a Certification/Letter of Good Standing and a copy of the current out-of-state journeyman/master license.
- Qualify via substantial equivalency (18VAC50-30-70) or an experience route (e.g., 4 years experience + 240 hours training, up to 8 years experience).
- Pass the Virginia journeyman plumber trade examination (waived only under the WSSC agreement).
- Master plumber is the higher tradesman tier under the same chapter and substantial-equivalency provisions.
- Pay the fees ($171.75 ($171.75 examination or reciprocity application fee on the current DPOR application (apprenticeship-program route $131.75), which includes a $7.25/year technology fee (2026 HB30); fees nonrefundable. Regulation 18VAC50-30-90 historically listed a $130 original fee (superseded by the current application fee))) and allow DPOR does not publish a standard processing time; exams are scheduled through the board's testing vendor (PSI).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Virginia accept a Illinois plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from Illinois to Virginia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors (Tradesman program), verify your Illinois license, and meet Virginia's endorsement requirements. Virginia does not waive its journeyman plumber trade exam for any U.S. state. Under 18VAC50-30-70 an out-of-state journeyman/master plumber whose issuing jurisdiction the Board for Contractors finds 'substantially equivalent' is recognized as meeting Virginia's experience/education requirements, but MUST STILL sit for and pass the Virginia tradesman plumber examination. The only exam exemption is the Board's examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which exempts WSSC-licensed journeyman and master plumbers (and gas fitters) from the Virginia exam.
Which exam applies moving from Illinois to Virginia?
Virginia does not waive its journeyman plumber trade exam for any U.S. state. Under 18VAC50-30-70 an out-of-state journeyman/master plumber whose issuing jurisdiction the Board for Contractors finds 'substantially equivalent' is recognized as meeting Virginia's experience/education requirements, but MUST STILL sit for and pass the Virginia tradesman plumber examination. The only exam exemption is the Board's examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which exempts WSSC-licensed journeyman and master plumbers (and gas fitters) from the Virginia exam.
What does the Illinois-to-Virginia move cost and how long does it take?
$171.75 ($171.75 examination or reciprocity application fee on the current DPOR application (apprenticeship-program route $131.75), which includes a $7.25/year technology fee (2026 HB30); fees nonrefundable. Regulation 18VAC50-30-90 historically listed a $130 original fee (superseded by the current application fee)); processing DPOR does not publish a standard processing time; exams are scheduled through the board's testing vendor (PSI).
Can I keep my Illinois plumbing license after I'm licensed in Virginia?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Illinois credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors — Reciprocal Licensing/Examination Agreements (the only plumber agreement is the WSSC examination agreement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Virginia DPOR — Tradesman Exam & License Application A501-2710EXLIC (PLB fees $171.75; out-of-state qualifying routes) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 18VAC50-30-70 — out-of-state substantial-equivalency recognition; applicant must still sit for the Virginia examination (Cornell LII mirror; law.lis.virginia.gov unreachable from research host) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois DPH — Application for Examination for Plumber's License (fees $175 in-state / $225 out-of-state; out-of-state section; 4-year 225 ILCS 320/10(d) requirement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois DPH — Application for Plumber's License Reciprocity with the City of Chicago License Without Examination ($150 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 750.1100 — Plumbers' and Apprentice Plumbers' Examination and Licensure Fees (Legal Information Institute) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois DPH — Plumbing program (license types, license verification link) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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