Colorado plumbing help: state licenses, homeowner permits and inspections
Source: Local Help Stations (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 2, 2026.
Plumbing in Colorado is licensed statewide by the State Plumbing Board, and the state inspects plumbing in areas without a local program.
What Colorado rules say
- The State Plumbing Board, part of the Division of Professions and Occupations, licenses Residential Plumbers, Journeyworker Plumbers and Master Plumbers. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
- Licensed plumbers must complete at least 8 hours of continuing education in each year of the two year license period. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
- The board also registers apprentices and plumbing contractors and investigates complaints about licensed and unlicensed plumbing work. (source: Colorado Attorney General)
- A homeowner may do their own plumbing only if they personally do the work and the property is not for sale, resale or rent and not generally open to the public. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
- Homeowner plumbing must be inspected before it is covered (insulation, drywall) and again on completion before occupancy and permanent water release. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
- A homeowner must get a permit from the State Plumbing Board or the local building department before starting plumbing work; state permits are valid for one year. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
- State plumbing inspectors work in 27 Colorado counties, using the IPC, IRC and IFGC codes. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
- A plumbing contractor must pull permits for its own work and may not work under a homeowner permit or another company's permit. (source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations)
This page covers statewide rules only. Cities and counties can add their own permits and licenses, so check with your local building office too.
More Colorado topics
Sources
- Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA): Colorado Plumbing Homepage (State Plumbing Board) (checked November 2, 2026)
- Colorado Attorney General: Consumer Resource Guide (checked November 2, 2026)
- Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA): Colorado Electrical and Plumbing Permit Information (checked November 2, 2026)
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