Vermont Contractor License Guide

In the State of Vermont, contractors must be licensed to do electrical or plumbing work. Their work is regulated at the state level.

• Electrician licenses:
  • Master - if you have over 16,000 hours of experience or more
  • Journeyman - if you have 12,000 hours of experience or more
  • Specialist - if you have passed a one-year (2,000 hours) training program with one year of experience

Note: Electrician reciprocity agreements in the state of Vermont are for the states of New Hampshire and Maine. More information can be found via the application form.

• Plumber licenses:
  • Limited Licensure, Specialists ( P1 and P2) - if you are a registered apprentice and have 2,000 hours of experience or 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and formal instruction of 144 hours or more
  • Limited Licensure, Specialists ( P3) - if you have 4,000 hours of experience and a successful completion of a board certified education course on water treatment or successful completion of instruction, training and experience in or out of the state
  • Journeyman - if you have a completed apprenticeship from another state or have successfully completed instruction, training and experience in or out of the state (to include at least 12,000 hours)
  • Master - if have held a Vermont Journeyman license for at least 12 months or if you are licensed outside the state for 1 year equal to a Vermont Journeyman, or you have successfully completed instruction, training and experience in or out of the state (to include at least 14,000 hours)

Note: Reciprocity for Plumbers Licensure is considered on a case by case basis.

You can find an Electrician License application form for all classes here.

You can find a Plumber License application form for all classes here.

Electrician license

• Master
  • You must submit signed affidavits from your previous employers that proves your experience.
  • If you have held a Vermont Electrical Journeyman license for 2 years, submit a completed application with a copy of your Journeyman license.
• Journeyman
  • You should submit signed affidavits from your previous employers that prove 12,000 hours of experience.
  • If you are applying for reciprocity from the State of New Hampshire or the State of Maine, you must include a certified letter from the reciprocating state.
  • If you have completed the Vermont Apprenticeship Program within the past 2 years, you should include a copy of your completion certificate.
• Specialist
  • You must submit signed affidavits that proves the completion of a recognized training program and one year (2,000 hours) experience for each specialty applied for.
  • If you haven’t gone through a formal training program you should submit proof of 2 years (4,000 hours) experience through signed affidavits for each specialty applied for.

Plumber License

• Limited Licensure; Specialists ( P1 and P2) - to apply for this license, you must present at least one of the following along with your application:
  • Proof of 2,000 hours of experience covered by a completion certificate from the Vermont Department of Labor.
  • Successful completion of 4,000 hours of on-the-job training documented by affidavits from a P1 or P2 licensed Specialist or licensed Master Plumber as well as formal instruction greater than or equal to 144 hours (1 year of school).
• Limited Licensure; Specialists ( P3) - to apply for this license, you must present at least one of following along with your application:
  • 4,000 hrs of experience covered by documented affidavits by a P3 licensed Specialist or a Licensed Master Plumber and a successful completion of a board certified education course concerning water treatment.
  • Proof of successful completion of instruction, training and experience, in or out of the state, acceptable to the board.
• Journeyman - at least one of the following must also be included with application:
  • Certificate of Completion provided by the Vermont State Apprenticeship Council
  • Certified statement of licensure or completed apprenticeship from another state acceptable to the board.
  • Proof of successful completion of instruction, training and experience, in or out of the state, acceptable to the board (to include at least 12,000 hours)
• Master - at least one of the following must also be included with application:
  • Licensed as a Vermont Journeyman for at least 12 months
  • Active license from outside the state for 1 year equal to a Vermont Journeyman
  • Proof of successful completion of instruction, training and experience, in or out of the state, acceptable to the board (to include at least 14,000 hours)

How to fill out your application:

Download and print your application in blue or black ink. If any requested information is left incomplete, your application form may be returned to you.

Be sure to sign and have your application notarized before submitting. A notary seal is required for oaths taken outside of Vermont. You may also bring your unsigned application and photo Identification to the Division of Fire Safety’s Central Office to have it notarized.

Additional instructions

Your application must be received at least two weeks before scheduled Board meetings, when applications are reviewed.

• Plumbers Examining Board - schedule of meetings can be found here
• Electrical Licensing Board - scheduled meetings can be found here

Licensing and Application Fees

• Electrician
  • Master (3-year license fee) – $150.00
  • Journeyman (3-year license fee) – $115.00
  • Specialist (3 year license fee) – $115.00 (per field)
• Plumber
  • Limited Licensure; Specialist Application Fee (P1 and P2) - $50.00 per Specialty Field
  • Limited Licensure; Specialist Application Fee ( P3) - $50.00 per Specialty Field
  • Journeyman application Fee - $90.00
  • Master Application Fee - $120.00

Mailing Address:

Electrician license applications should be mailed to:

Division of Fire Safety
Attn: Electrical Licensing Board
1311 US Route 302, Suite 600
Barre, VT 05641-2351

Plumber license applications should be mailed to:

Division of Fire Safety
Attn: Plumbers Licensing Board
1311 US Route 302 – Suite 600
Barre, VT 05676-2351

There may be local requirements for contractor licensing and bonding. For more information on Vermont surety bonds you should contact the city or county where you anticipate working.