What Plumbing Work Requires a License vs a Permit in Colorado?

In Colorado, plumbing work is regulated by DORA (Department of Regulatory Agencies) and requires either a licensed plumber, a state permit, or both—with three license tiers ranging from 3,400 to 8,500 hours of experience and permits valid for one year from issuance.

Key Takeaways

• Residential Plumber license requires 3,400 hours (2 years); Journeyman requires 6,800 hours (4 years); Master requires 8,500 hours (5 years)
• Colorado State Plumbing permits valid for 1 year; required for new installations, water heater replacement, gas piping, drain/waste/vent lines
• Homeowners can do own plumbing if property isn't for sale, rent, or public use; hired work requires licensed plumber
• Starting July 2025, licensed contractors must display registration and master plumber license on vehicles, billing, and websites

If you're planning a plumbing project in Colorado Springs, you're going to run into two different questions pretty quickly: does this work need a licensed plumber, and does it need a permit? Those sound like the same thing, but they're not. A license is about who does the work. A permit is about getting the work officially approved and inspected. Both matter, and mixing them up can cost you real money down the road.

Here's a plain-language breakdown of how Colorado handles both.

Who needs a plumbing license in Colorado?

Colorado regulates plumbing statewide through DORA, the Department of Regulatory Agencies. There are three main license tiers for working plumbers:

• Residential Plumber - requires about 3,400 hours (roughly two years) of field experience
• Journeyman Plumber - requires 6,800 hours (four years)
• Master Plumber - requires 8,500 hours (five years) plus a licensing exam

Apprentices don't hold a license - they register with DORA and work under a licensed plumber. Starting July 2025, licensed plumbing contractors are also required to display their registration number and their responsible master plumber's license number on their vehicles, billing materials, and website. So when you hire someone for plumbing work in Colorado Springs, you can and should ask to see those credentials.

What this means for homeowners: You can legally do your own plumbing at your own home in Colorado, as long as the property isn't for sale, for rent, or open to the public. If you hire anyone else to do the work, they must be licensed.

What plumbing work requires a permit in Colorado?

This is where a lot of homeowners get tripped up. A permit is required by Colorado state law before starting most plumbing installations or significant repairs. Specifically, you need a Colorado State Plumbing permit before:

• Installing new plumbing in a new construction or addition
• Remodeling work that involves moving or adding plumbing fixtures
• Replacing water heaters (in most cases)
• Installing or modifying gas piping
• Running new drain, waste, or vent lines

Permits are valid for one year from the date issued. You apply through the Colorado State Plumbing Board or your local building department. After the work is complete, an inspector reviews it to confirm it meets the 2018 International Plumbing Code, which is the standard Colorado follows.

What plumbing work does not require a permit?

Smaller repairs generally don't require a permit. If you're fixing a leaky faucet, replacing a showerhead, swapping out a toilet flapper, or unclogging a drain, you're in the clear. The rule of thumb: if you're replacing a like-for-like fixture without moving anything or touching the supply and drain lines, you likely don't need a permit.

When in doubt, call the City of Colorado Springs or El Paso County building department and ask. It's a quick phone call that can save you a headache later.

Why do plumbing licenses and permits matter in Colorado?

A few practical reasons:

Selling your home. If unpermitted plumbing work shows up during a home inspection or title search, it can delay or kill your sale. Buyers and their lenders take this seriously.

Insurance claims. If a pipe bursts and there's evidence the original work was done without a required permit, your homeowner's insurance company may deny the claim or reduce the payout.

Safety. The permit and inspection process exists because bad plumbing causes real damage - water intrusion, mold, sewage backups, even structural damage. Colorado's licensing requirements exist for the same reason.

The Quick Reference

Type of Work	License Required?	Permit Required?
Fixing a leaky faucet	No (if homeowner)	No
Replacing a toilet	No (if homeowner)	Usually no
Installing a new water heater	Yes (if hired out)	Usually yes
Adding a bathroom	Yes (if hired out)	Yes
Moving drain lines	Yes (if hired out)	Yes
New gas line installation	Yes (if hired out)	Yes

Hire Someone You Can Trust

When you hire a plumber in Colorado Springs, they should be able to give you their license number on the spot. They should also handle pulling any required permits - that's standard practice for reputable contractors. If someone offers to do the work cheaper by skipping permits, that's a red flag. You'll be the one holding the liability when it comes time to sell or file a claim.

Need a licensed plumber in Colorado Springs? Call 719plumbingpro.com for a free estimate.