Plumber License from New York to Colorado: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations ↗
A plumbing license transfers from New York to Colorado by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations, verify your New York license, and meet Colorado's endorsement requirements. Colorado has no bilateral state-to-state reciprocity; it licenses out-of-state plumbers by endorsement, accepting successful completion of a comparable state plumbing examination (based on a plumbing-code edition adopted by the Colorado board) in lieu of the Colorado examination, provided the applicant currently holds an active license in the endorsing state and meets the apprenticeship/experience requirement; applicants who cannot document a comparable exam must qualify and pass the Colorado examination.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
New York is not among the states Colorado names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations's individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. Colorado has no bilateral state-to-state reciprocity; it licenses out-of-state plumbers by endorsement, accepting successful completion of a comparable state plumbing examination (based on a plumbing-code edition adopted by the Colorado board) in lieu of the Colorado examination, provided the applicant currently holds an active license in the endorsing state and meets the apprenticeship/experience requirement; applicants who cannot document a comparable exam must qualify and pass the Colorado examination. Bring your New York license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, New York → Colorado
| New York (current) | Colorado (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ | Application/endorsement fee not verifiable on the official DPO site (dpo.colorado.gov returned HTTP 403 to automated access on 2026-07-21); fees are paid through DPO Online Services |
| Processing time | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority | No board-stated processing time |
| Licensing authority | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) | Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Colorado sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Colorado's current requirements on the Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Currently hold an active plumbing license issued by the endorsing state.
- Complete a state- or federally-approved/registered apprenticeship program, or the required years/type of experience for the comparable Colorado license (residential ~3,400 hrs; journeyworker ~6,800 hrs; master ~8,500 hrs).
- Show successful completion of a comparable state plumbing examination based on a plumbing-code edition adopted by the Colorado State Plumbing Board.
- Meet the requirements of section 12-155-116, C.R.S.
- Pay the fees (Application/endorsement fee not verifiable on the official DPO site (dpo.colorado.gov returned HTTP 403 to automated access on 2026-07-21); fees are paid through DPO Online Services) and allow No board-stated processing time.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado accept a New York plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from New York to Colorado by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Colorado State Plumbing Board — Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations, verify your New York license, and meet Colorado's endorsement requirements. Colorado has no bilateral state-to-state reciprocity; it licenses out-of-state plumbers by endorsement, accepting successful completion of a comparable state plumbing examination (based on a plumbing-code edition adopted by the Colorado board) in lieu of the Colorado examination, provided the applicant currently holds an active license in the endorsing state and meets the apprenticeship/experience requirement; applicants who cannot document a comparable exam must qualify and pass the Colorado examination.
Which exam applies moving from New York to Colorado?
Colorado has no bilateral state-to-state reciprocity; it licenses out-of-state plumbers by endorsement, accepting successful completion of a comparable state plumbing examination (based on a plumbing-code edition adopted by the Colorado board) in lieu of the Colorado examination, provided the applicant currently holds an active license in the endorsing state and meets the apprenticeship/experience requirement; applicants who cannot document a comparable exam must qualify and pass the Colorado examination.
What does the New York-to-Colorado move cost and how long does it take?
Application/endorsement fee not verifiable on the official DPO site (dpo.colorado.gov returned HTTP 403 to automated access on 2026-07-21); fees are paid through DPO Online Services; processing No board-stated processing time.
Can I keep my New York plumbing license after I'm licensed in Colorado?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the New York credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Colorado State Plumbing Board Rules 3 CCR 720-1.4 — Applications and Licensing (license by endorsement text) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Colorado DPO — State Plumbing Board (homepage / applications) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $525 LIC41 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]