Transfer Your Plumber License to Pennsylvania: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: No statewide board — plumber licensing is handled by Pennsylvania municipalities (e.g., Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department for the Pittsburgh area) ↗
Pennsylvania does not license individual journeyman plumbers at the state level — regulation is at the contractor level or through cities and counties — so there is nothing to transfer into or out of by state agreement. Not applicable — Pennsylvania has no state-level plumber license, so there is no statewide exam to waive or transfer; each municipality sets its own plumber licensing and exam rules (for example, Philadelphia requires passing the ICC-based Journeyman Plumber Examination on the Philadelphia Code).
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Verdict
Full re-application required
The structural fact first: Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide journeyman plumber license, so "which board do I apply to" has no state-level answer and there is no state credential to carry across. Your first task is to identify the authority that governs the jobsite — a contractor-level board, or the city or county where you will work — and read its exam and experience rules directly. Just as important on the way out: a credential earned under Pennsylvania's regime generally will not satisfy another state's condition that you hold a state license earned by examination, so expect new-applicant treatment if you later move to a state that does license at the state level. Treat the notes below as directions to the right authority, not a transfer checklist.
As of 2026-07-21 Pennsylvania issues NO state-level plumber license; plumbers are licensed only by cities and counties, so there is no single state credential to reciprocate and no statewide reciprocity, endorsement, or verification system. Requirements, fees, exams and any recognition of out-of-state licenses are set municipality-by-municipality — Philadelphia through its Department of Licenses & Inspections and the Pittsburgh area through the Allegheny County Health Department. The Philadelphia program is cited as a representative municipal example.
Pennsylvania requirements at a glance
| Exam | Not applicable — Pennsylvania has no state-level plumber license, so there is no statewide exam to waive or transfer; each municipality sets its own plumber licensing and exam rules (for example, Philadelphia requires passing the ICC-based Journeyman Plumber Examination on the Philadelphia Code) |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | No statewide fee. Fees are set locally; for example, Philadelphia's journeyman plumber license is $126 initial (including a $25 non-refundable application fee) and $126 annual renewal. |
| Processing time | No statewide process; processing time is set by each municipality. |
Step by step
- Confirm Pennsylvania's current requirements on the No statewide board — plumber licensing is handled by Pennsylvania municipalities (e.g., Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department for the Pittsburgh area) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the No statewide board — plumber licensing is handled by Pennsylvania municipalities (e.g., Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department for the Pittsburgh area) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Obtain a plumber license from the specific city or county where you will work — there is no statewide Pennsylvania license.
- In Philadelphia: register as an apprentice plumber for at least four years (or hold equivalent credentials) and pass the ICC Journeyman Plumber Examination.
- Any recognition of an out-of-state license is negotiated municipality-by-municipality.
- Pay the fees (No statewide fee. Fees are set locally; for example, Philadelphia's journeyman plumber license is $126 initial (including a $25 non-refundable application fee) and $126 annual renewal.) and allow No statewide process; processing time is set by each municipality..
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Pennsylvania:
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Frequently asked questions
Does my plumbing license transfer to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not license individual journeyman plumbers at the state level — regulation is at the contractor level or through cities and counties — so there is nothing to transfer into or out of by state agreement. Not applicable — Pennsylvania has no state-level plumber license, so there is no statewide exam to waive or transfer; each municipality sets its own plumber licensing and exam rules (for example, Philadelphia requires passing the ICC-based Journeyman Plumber Examination on the Philadelphia Code).
Will I have to take Pennsylvania's plumbing exam?
Not applicable — Pennsylvania has no state-level plumber license, so there is no statewide exam to waive or transfer; each municipality sets its own plumber licensing and exam rules (for example, Philadelphia requires passing the ICC-based Journeyman Plumber Examination on the Philadelphia Code).
Does Pennsylvania issue a state plumbing license?
No — Not applicable — Pennsylvania has no state-level plumber license, so there is no statewide exam to waive or transfer; each municipality sets its own plumber licensing and exam rules (for example, Philadelphia requires passing the ICC-based Journeyman Plumber Examination on the Philadelphia Code). Because there is no statewide journeyman license, an out-of-state credential is not transferred by reciprocity; you meet the contractor board's or the specific city or county's requirements (verified 2026-07-21).
What will licensing in Pennsylvania cost an out-of-state plumber, and how long does it take?
No statewide fee. Fees are set locally; for example, Philadelphia's journeyman plumber license is $126 initial (including a $25 non-refundable application fee) and $126 annual renewal.; processing No statewide process; processing time is set by each municipality..
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 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]