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Wyoming to West Virginia: journeyman plumber license reciprocity

No credit· Start overVerified September 16, 2026· 8 sources

Wyoming does not issue a statewide journeyman plumber license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is West Virginia's standard path for out-of-state applicants.

Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.

Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.

Out-of-state journeyman plumber — reciprocity rule plus RECAP (no named partners)

Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.

West Virginia has no published list of plumber reciprocity partner states. W. Va. Separately, the Review and Credential Acknowledgement Procedures Act (W. Va. Code 21-17-3) obliges the Division to issue the occupational license when the applicant holds a current license in another state in the same or a similar occupation with comparable requirements, has held it at least one year, met that state's education and examination requirements, is in good standing with no revocation, surrender or pending complaint, has no disqualifying criminal record, has established West Virginia residency, and pays the applicable fees. That statutory path does not add a West Virginia trade exam. Applicants who cannot meet RECAP (or whatever the unread plumbing reciprocity rule requires) sit the Division of Labor journeyman plumber written exam, which the statute sets at a 70 percent passing score and which the DOL/Prov candidate bulletin prices at $59.95 through Prov. The 2009 without-examination grandfather in 21-14-4(2) is closed. Statute 21-14-2 states no experience-hour minimum for the journeyman class. License and application fee amounts for journeyman plumbers were not published on the pages that opened.

Ohio's OCILB lists West Virginia Master Plumber for Ohio plumbing contractor reciprocity; that is Ohio inbound contractor licensing, not a WV journeyman agreement, so it is not listed under agreements.

At a glance

Trade exam
Waived
Law / code exam
Not required
Out-of-state hours
Count toward eligibility

What you must already have

  • Your Wyoming license must be active and in good standing.
  • You must have held your Wyoming license for at least 1 year.RECAP route (W. Va. Code 21-17-3(a)). The unread 21-14-4(3) reciprocity rule may use a different or no holding period.
  • Your Wyoming license must have been obtained by examination, not by reciprocity or grandfathering.
  • You must have no disciplinary action or unresolved complaints on your record.
  • West Virginia residency is required for the mandatory RECAP route (W. Va.

What you'll do to get licensed in West Virginia

  1. 1License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee. Va. Code 21-14-2 through 21-14-4; plumber-in-training fee is capped at $25 by 21-14-2(d) but that cap is not the journeyman fee).
  2. 2Other. Fee, eligibility details, and processing steps are not published in a form we can list here. Please see the sources on this page to find out more. You can also call the board at 304-356-3928..
  3. 3Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam (if applicable). West Virginia journeyman plumber written exam through Prov if the applicant does not qualify under RECAP or the unread reciprocity rule. Statute: at least 70 percent (W. Va. Code 21-14-2(b)). DOL/Prov bulletin (HVAC-session extract): $59.95 computer-based, 70 percent cut, no waiting period to retake..
  4. 4Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($59.95) (if applicable). Prov exam fee when the written exam is required (DOL/Prov Candidate Information Bulletin extract; paid to the testing vendor, not the Division).

What you'll need to buy or arrange

Exam preparation

Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.

  • Trade exam · if applicable

How West Virginia licenses journeyman plumbers

West Virginia journeyman plumber · “Journeyman plumber

Statewide license

Verified September 16, 2026· 7 sources

Issued by West Virginia Division of Labor, Licensing Section (Commissioner of Labor)

West Virginia issues a statewide Journeyman plumber license through the Division of Labor under W. Va. Code Chapter 21, Article 14 (Supervision of Plumbing Work). Since January 1, 2009 a person performing or offering to perform plumbing work in the state must hold a Commissioner of Labor license and carry it on the job; the statute defines a journeyman plumber as a person who has passed a written journeyman examination with a score of at least 70 percent and who is competent to instruct and supervise a plumber in training. A plumber-in-training registration (fee capped at $25) exists for persons who have not yet passed the journeyman exam. Out-of-state journeymen are expected to use the Commissioner's reciprocity rules (W. Va. Code 21-14-4(3), text unread) and, where they qualify, the Review and Credential Acknowledgement Procedures Act (W. Va. Code 21-17-3), which requires the board to issue an occupational license without adding West Virginia's own exam when the origin license has been held at least one year. The Division publishes no named plumber reciprocity partners. Plumbing contractor work is a separate Contractor Licensing Board license (W. Va. Code 30-42) and is not this credential.

Moving to West VirginiaLeaving West Virginia

Why Wyoming has nothing to transfer

Wyoming journeyman plumber

Licensed by cities and counties

Verified September 16, 2026· 12 sources

Wyoming has no statewide plumber license at any level. The only state construction-trade licensing program is the State Fire Marshal's electrician program, which lists no plumbing or mechanical credential, so a journeyman plumber license exists only where a city ordinance creates one. Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette and Sheridan each license journeyman plumbers (and apprentices) individually, all requiring four years or a completed apprenticeship plus an ICC National Standard plumbing exam (G28-N journeyman or G27-N master), while Jackson has stopped issuing journeyman cards altogether and Rock Springs only registers contractors. No city accepts another state's journeyman license: Casper, Gillette and Jackson reciprocate only with other Wyoming jurisdictions, Sheridan expressly refuses licenses from other cities or states, Cheyenne's Board keeps discretion but cites a state statute limiting reciprocity to Wyoming jurisdictions, and Laramie's building official may waive the exam for a certificate from any governmental agency whose exam is judged at least equal. An out-of-state journeyman should expect to document their hours, present or sit the ICC exam through Pearson VUE, and apply separately in each city where they will work.

How local licensing works in Wyoming

How local licensing works. Wyoming licenses electricians through the State Fire Marshal but has no plumbing board, so plumber licensing is entirely a matter of city ordinance and each city sets its own classes, hours, exam and fees. The reciprocity statute the cities cite reaches only licenses issued by other Wyoming jurisdictions; none of the cities below publishes a path that recognizes another state's plumber license.

Cheyenne. The Contractor Licensing Board licenses Plumbing (Class C1, tested) contractors and requires every employee on a plumbing job site to hold a master, journeyman or apprentice license. A journeyman (12.1.9) documents 4 years/8,000 hours as a licensed apprentice (or certified equivalent training) and passes a current ICC, NICET or NASCLA exam from the Board's list, paid to the testing agency; a Residential Plumbing Journeyman (12.1.11) needs 2 years/4,000 hours and may work only on IRC residential structures at a 1:1 apprentice ratio. Fees: $50 application plus $30 initial and $15 renewal (apprentice $25 + $25, $15 renewal); licenses expire annually. Up to three apprentices may work under one journeyman or master. Trade employees registered for the exam can get a one-time 30-day temporary work authorization (60 days maximum). Reciprocity (3.3.2): the Board 'may grant reciprocity with other State jurisdictions and agencies as the Board determines appropriate', notes that Wyoming's statute allows reciprocity for Wyoming jurisdictions only, evaluates even those case by case, and may accept a test exceeding its published exams from someone holding a current equivalent license elsewhere - no partner list is published.

Casper. The Community Development Department issues Journeyman Plumber licenses ($25 new, $15 renewal) to applicants with a federally recognized plumbing apprenticeship or the equivalent of four years in a Casper-licensed plumbing shop plus proof of passing ICC G27-N or G28-N (or equivalent); apprentice licenses ($3) are issued to the contractor in the apprentice's name. Reciprocal Plumbing Master/Journeyman licenses ($50/$25) exist only for holders of a current, good-standing license from another Wyoming jurisdiction with comparable testing.

Laramie. A journeyman plumbing certificate of qualification requires four years' employment with a licensed plumbing contractor (Table 15.24.020-1) and the building official's examination; the application fee is $5 per exam attempt, and a failed exam bars retesting for 30 days (six months after a second failure). In lieu of the exam, the building official may issue the certificate to anyone presenting a valid certificate from 'any other governmental agency giving an examination' that the board of examiners considers at least equal - the only Wyoming city whose rule is not limited to Wyoming jurisdictions. Journeymen work only under a certified master, each journeyman or master may supervise two apprentices, certificates expire December 31 (renew by January 31), and applications go through the Civic Access portal.

Gillette. Journeyman Plumber ($25 new, $25 renewal) requires four years of approved experience and passing ICC examination results (5-III-21/22); the ICC computer-based exam is taken through Pearson VUE. Apprentices ($5) qualify after 30 days with a Gillette-licensed plumbing contractor, and one master or journeyman supervises up to three apprentices. Reciprocity (5-III-1(d), effective July 1, 2024) is granted without fee only to active, good-standing licenses of a similar class from another Wyoming city, county or town, with testing waived on proof of the ICC plumbing exam.

Sheridan. Journeyman Plumber ($50 new, $50 annual renewal) requires four years of journeyman plumber experience (Form JP) or a completed approved four-year apprenticeship and the 2018 ICC G28 Journeyman Plumber with Gas exam; one licensed contractor or journeyman is required per three apprentices. The City's FAQ states it 'does not accept licensing from other cities, towns, counties, or states as a means to obtain licensing locally'. Applications go through the OpenGov portal.

Jackson. The Town no longer issues or requires Apprentice or Journeyman Certificate of Qualification cards; only Master COQ cards are issued. A journeyman-level plumber works in Jackson as an employee of a Town-licensed plumbing contractor whose Master of Record holds a Master COQ, and needs no individual Town card.

Rock Springs. The Building Inspection Office registers contractors ($125 fee plus a certificate of insurance) and licenses no individual plumbers; no exam or hours are required.

Moving to WyomingLeaving Wyoming

Common questions

Do I have to take the West Virginia journeyman plumber exam if I'm licensed in Wyoming?
No. The trade exam is waived on this path.
How long do I need to have held my Wyoming license?
At least 1 year before applying.
Do my Wyoming work hours count in West Virginia?
Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward West Virginia's eligibility requirements.
Does it work the other way, from West Virginia to Wyoming?
Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from West Virginia to Wyoming, the mechanism is not applicable.

Sources

  1. W. Va. Code Chapter 21, Article 14 - Supervision of Plumbing Work (article index) · W. Va. Code 21-14 · West Virginia Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
  2. W. Va. Code 21-14-2 - Definitions (journeyman plumber, master plumber, plumber in training, plumbing) · W. Va. Code 21-14-2 · West Virginia Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
  3. W. Va. Code 21-14-3 - License required; exemptions · W. Va. Code 21-14-3 · West Virginia Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
  4. W. Va. Code 21-14-4 - Rule-making authority (classifications, grandfathering, reciprocity provisions, fees) · W. Va. Code 21-14-4 · West Virginia Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
  5. W. Va. Code 21-17-3 - Review and Credential Acknowledgement Procedures Act: occupational license or other authorization to practice · W. Va. Code 21-17-3(a) · West Virginia Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
  6. West Virginia Division of Labor / Prov - Candidate Information Bulletin (HVAC Technician, HVAC Residential Technician, Plumbers, Elevator Mechanics) · West Virginia Division of Labor / Prov, Inc. · Other · verified September 16, 2026
  7. West Virginia Division of Labor - Licensing Section (HVAC, manufactured housing, plumbing certifications, Contractor Licensing Board administration) · West Virginia Division of Labor · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026
  8. West Virginia Division of Labor - Supervision of Plumbing Work (legislative-rule PDF linked from the Licensing hub) · W. Va. Code 21-14-4 (rule-making authority for Article 14) · West Virginia Division of Labor · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026

Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.

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