West Virginia renewal guide
Master Plumber
If this license is up for renewal, this page gives you the fee, the timeline, and the items that usually hold the filing up.
See this alongside the other 11 West Virginia license pages we track.
Start here
What matters before you file.
Check the fee, the renewal window, and the documents or insurance records that can slow approval down.
Issuing authority
Renewal period
Every 12 months
Renewal fee
$75.00
Late penalty
$25.00
Bond requirement
No
Insurance requirement
No
Before you renew
Get the filing straight.
- 1
File with the board
File through West Virginia Division of Labor and pay the $75.00 renewal fee once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online - 2
Leave room for processing
Typical processing time is 30 days, so do not wait until the last minute.
If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $25.00, with a 15-day grace period.
Detailed notes
The fine print is here.
Master Plumbers Can Design Systems and Supervise the Full Plumbing Workforce
West Virginia's Master Plumber certification, issued by the Commissioner of Labor under WV Code Chapter 21-14, is the top tier of the state's three-tier plumbing licensure system. Master Plumbers are authorized to design plumbing systems and to instruct and supervise both journeyman plumbers and plumbers-in-training (§21-14-2(c)).
Qualifying: Journeyman First, Then a One-Year Wait for the Master Exam
You must hold a WV Journeyman Plumber certification before sitting for the Master Plumber exam. WV Code §21-14-2 requires that at least one year pass after earning the journeyman certification before you may take the master exam. The exam is administered by ProV, Inc. (provexam.com, 866-720-7768). A passing score is 70%.
Fees and Annual Renewal
Both the initial certification and annual renewal cost $75. If your renewal arrives more than 15 days past the expiration date, a $25 late fee applies. A certification expired for 90 days or more cannot be renewed — reapplication from the beginning is required. No continuing education is required.
Contractor License Also Required for Larger Projects
The master certification covers the trade work. For plumbing on a residential project with a total contract value of $5,000 or more, or a commercial project totaling $25,000 or more, the individual or company must also hold a Contractor License with the Plumbing classification from the WV Contractor Licensing Board (wvclboard.wv.gov). The threshold applies to the total contract amount, not just the plumbing portion.
Working Without Certification Violates WV Code §21-14
Performing plumbing work in West Virginia without a valid Division of Labor certification violates WV Code §21-14. Unlicensed plumbing work exposes you to enforcement action and bars you from legally performing or advertising plumbing services.
Official links
Check the board or agency directly.
Required documents
- exam_results
- proof_of_experience
Source notes
West Virginia Division of Labor, WV Code 21-14 . Verified March 2026. https://labor.wv.gov/licensing/plumber-certification/plumber-certification-fees
Rules move. Check West Virginia Division of Labor again before you pay, renew, or schedule work around this requirement.
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Next steps
Turn it into a handoff.
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Printable checklist
West Virginia checklist
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