Kentucky plumber license: requirements, reciprocity & renewal

The master license in Kentucky

Master Plumber: Hold a valid Kentucky journeyman plumber license for at least 2 years within the past 5 years and be actively employed in plumbing under a master plumber for at least 2 years; pass the master examination at 80% on each portion. Exam fee $150; license fee $250; renewal $250 (815 KAR 20:030). Alternative routes exist for Kentucky-licensed engineers with mechanical experience, out-of-state licensees (licensed 2 of the past 5 years), and master-equivalent workers from states with no license (4 consecutive years) — the last group must also pass the journeyman exam.

An active master must maintain general liability insurance of not less than $250,000 (KRS 318.030); the license is not valid without it. Inactive status is available ($125 to place on inactive and to reactivate).

Master exam fee: $150

Renewal & lapse in Kentucky

KRS 318.054 sets a revival-fee ladder; a license whose renewal and revival fees go unpaid for 180 days after expiration is automatically cancelled by operation of law — but can still be reinstated by payment.

Reinstatement: Late renewal is accepted on payment of the renewal fee plus a revival fee of $5 (master) / $3 (journeyman). If the fees are not paid within 180 days after expiration, the license is automatically cancelled, but it may be reinstated on payment of all delinquent renewal fees plus a revival fee of $10 (master) / $6 (journeyman).

Past the line: The statute retrieved states no re-examination deadline after cancellation; reinstatement is by payment of delinquent fees and the higher revival fee. (Planned alternative: inactive status, $125 master / $30 journeyman to place and to reactivate.)

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Opening a plumbing company in Kentucky

The seat: Master Plumber (active). Plumbing may be engaged in only by or under an active Master Plumber. The active master of record must maintain general liability insurance of not less than $250,000 and show compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment laws (KRS 318.030); proof is required before issuance or renewal of the active master license. If a master representing a company dies, the company gets a 180-day interim period and must then have an employee holding a current Kentucky master license to procure permits and perform plumbing work (KRS 318.054(5)).

Insurance minimum: $250,000 general liability (KRS 318.030)

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Sources

Rules as published by Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing and the statutes it administers, checked October 22, 2026. Board: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/815/020/030/8316/

• 815 KAR 20:030 (journeyman/master qualifications, exam and license fees, renewal fees)
• KRS 318.054 (expiration, revival fees, automatic cancellation, 180-day company interim)