Plumber License from Illinois to West Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor) ↗
A plumbing license transfers from Illinois to West Virginia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor), verify your Illinois license, and meet West Virginia's endorsement requirements. All master and journeyman applicants must pass a written exam on the International Plumbing Code (minimum score 70%) EXCEPT under Legislative Rule 42CSR32 section 14: the Commissioner of Labor may, at his or her discretion, grant a license of the same classification WITHOUT examination to a plumber licensed or authorized by another state whose licensing requirements are equivalent to the WV Plumber Licensing Act (Code 21-14) and rule, on proof of qualifications and payment of the license fee. There are no named partner states; the waiver is discretionary and equivalence-based, not a bilateral agreement.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Illinois is not among the states West Virginia names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor)'s individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. All master and journeyman applicants must pass a written exam on the International Plumbing Code (minimum score 70%) EXCEPT under Legislative Rule 42CSR32 section 14: the Commissioner of Labor may, at his or her discretion, grant a license of the same classification WITHOUT examination to a plumber licensed or authorized by another state whose licensing requirements are equivalent to the WV Plumber Licensing Act (Code 21-14) and rule, on proof of qualifications and payment of the license fee. There are no named partner states; the waiver is discretionary and equivalence-based, not a bilateral agreement. 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 → West Virginia
| Illinois (current) | West 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) | $75 ($75 annual journeyman (or master) license fee (initial and renewal); plumber-in-training $25; $25 late fee; $10 duplicate. The examination fee is set separately by the Commissioner/testing agent and paid to the testing agent or the Division (no fixed figure published on the fee page)) |
| Processing time | No board-stated processing time; the examination application is due at least 30 days before the examination date | No board-stated processing time; licenses without examination are granted at the Commissioner's discretion |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — Plumbing Program | West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — West Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm West Virginia's current requirements on the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Submit a completed application/affidavit to the WV Commissioner of Labor with satisfactory proof of qualifications.
- Hold an equivalent out-of-state plumber license to be considered for a license WITHOUT examination at the Commissioner's discretion (Rule 42CSR32 section 14.1).
- Otherwise pass the IPC-based journeyman written examination with a minimum score of 70%.
- Pay the $75 annual license fee (license valid up to one year); the master exam may not be taken until one year after passing the journeyman exam.
- Pay the fees ($75 ($75 annual journeyman (or master) license fee (initial and renewal); plumber-in-training $25; $25 late fee; $10 duplicate. The examination fee is set separately by the Commissioner/testing agent and paid to the testing agent or the Division (no fixed figure published on the fee page))) and allow No board-stated processing time; licenses without examination are granted at the Commissioner's discretion.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does West Virginia accept a Illinois plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from Illinois to West Virginia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Licensing (Office of the State Commissioner of Labor), verify your Illinois license, and meet West Virginia's endorsement requirements. All master and journeyman applicants must pass a written exam on the International Plumbing Code (minimum score 70%) EXCEPT under Legislative Rule 42CSR32 section 14: the Commissioner of Labor may, at his or her discretion, grant a license of the same classification WITHOUT examination to a plumber licensed or authorized by another state whose licensing requirements are equivalent to the WV Plumber Licensing Act (Code 21-14) and rule, on proof of qualifications and payment of the license fee. There are no named partner states; the waiver is discretionary and equivalence-based, not a bilateral agreement.
Which exam applies moving from Illinois to West Virginia?
All master and journeyman applicants must pass a written exam on the International Plumbing Code (minimum score 70%) EXCEPT under Legislative Rule 42CSR32 section 14: the Commissioner of Labor may, at his or her discretion, grant a license of the same classification WITHOUT examination to a plumber licensed or authorized by another state whose licensing requirements are equivalent to the WV Plumber Licensing Act (Code 21-14) and rule, on proof of qualifications and payment of the license fee. There are no named partner states; the waiver is discretionary and equivalence-based, not a bilateral agreement.
What does the Illinois-to-West Virginia move cost and how long does it take?
$75 ($75 annual journeyman (or master) license fee (initial and renewal); plumber-in-training $25; $25 late fee; $10 duplicate. The examination fee is set separately by the Commissioner/testing agent and paid to the testing agent or the Division (no fixed figure published on the fee page)); processing No board-stated processing time; licenses without examination are granted at the Commissioner's discretion.
Can I keep my Illinois plumbing license after I'm licensed in West 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.
- WV Legislative Rule 42CSR32 — section 9 (fees $75), section 10 (exam, min 70%, master 1 year after journeyman), section 14 (Reciprocity; Work Experience — discretionary license without exam for equivalent-state licensees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV Code section 21-14 — Supervision of Plumbing Work (license classes; rules to include reciprocity provisions) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV Division of Labor — Plumber Certification Fees ($75 journeyman/master; $25 PIT; $25 late; $10 duplicate) ↗ (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
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]