Plumbing contractor license cost in
Colorado sets the plumbing contractor registration fee inside the DPO Online Services portal, not in a public fee table. Plan for that state fee plus local contractor registration charges (e.g., Boulder $278.95, Englewood $75, Pueblo County $130). From March 1, 2027, renewals move to a three‑year cycle with a 60‑day grace period.
The plumbing contractor license cost in Colorado is an administratively set state registration fee shown at checkout in DPO Online Services, plus any local contractor registration your city/county requires. Typical local examples: Boulder $278.95, Englewood $75, Pueblo County $130. Renewal shifts to a three‑year cycle beginning March 1, 2027.
Requirements last verified: 2026-11-05
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions & Occupations, State Plumbing Board. The Board registers plumbing contractors and licenses plumbers. C.R.S. 12-155-108(3). |
| State registration fee (plumbing contractor) | Amount is set administratively and displayed in DPO Online Services at application/renewal (fees set under C.R.S. 12-20-105 and authorized in C.R.S. 12-155-108(3)). No public fee table is posted by the Board. |
| Typical local registration fees (examples) | Boulder plumbing contractor license $278.95 (City of Boulder); Englewood plumbing contractor registration $75 (City of Englewood); Pueblo County plumbing contractor registration processing $130 (Pueblo County). |
| Experience/qualifier | You must be (or employ full‑time) a Colorado‑licensed Master Plumber who supervises all plumbing work; one master cannot be responsible for more than one contractor. C.R.S. 12-155-108(3). |
| Exam | No state exam for the contractor registration itself; the Master Plumber license (held by you or your Responsible Master) is obtained by examination. A temporary work permit is not accepted to meet a new contractor registration. 3 CCR 720‑1 Rule 1.4(D)(2). |
| Minimum age | Not specified in statute for contractor registration; this is a business registration tied to a licensed Master Plumber. See Article 155. |
| Insurance / bond | No statewide GL/surety bond is prescribed for the state plumbing contractor registration. You must show compliance with Colorado workers’ compensation and unemployment laws. C.R.S. 12‑155‑108(3). Local jurisdictions may impose their own insurance/bond rules (see Boulder, Pueblo). |
| Renewal cycle | Beginning with the cycle that starts March 1, 2027, Board licenses/registrations renew every three years; 60‑day grace period with delinquency fee; reinstatement required after grace. C.R.S. 12‑155‑112(1)(a), Rule 1.4(E). Legislative analysis confirms next plumber expiration is Feb. 28, 2027. LCS Fiscal Note to SB 26‑093. |
| Operational display rule | From July 1, 2025, plumbing contractors must display their Colorado registration ID and their attached Master Plumber’s registration ID on vehicles, billing, bids, and website. C.R.S. 12‑155‑125. |
How to get a Colorado plumbing contractor registration (and what it costs)
- Choose your business structure and name and register with the Colorado Secretary of State. You’ll apply to the State Plumbing Board under that legal name.
- Secure a Responsible Master Plumber (RMP). You must be a Colorado‑licensed Master Plumber or employ one full‑time. If you lose your master, you have 20 days to hire another or your registration moves to “Need Master Hire—Cannot Practice.” 3 CCR 720‑1 Rule 1.4(I).
- Prepare compliance proof for workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, required by statute for contractor registration. C.R.S. 12‑155‑108(3).
- Apply in DPO Online Services for Plumbing Contractor registration. The state fee is shown in the portal at checkout and is set under C.R.S. 12‑20‑105. Upload required documents and submit.
- Register locally where you pull permits. Many jurisdictions charge separate trade contractor registration fees (for example, Boulder $278.95; Englewood $75; Pueblo County $130). Links above.
- Display required IDs on vehicles, bids, invoices, and your website by July 1, 2025, and calendar the three‑year renewal beginning March 1, 2027. C.R.S. 12‑155‑112; 12‑155‑125.
Colorado plumbing contractor license cost: what you’ll actually pay
Colorado sets the state plumbing contractor registration fee administratively; it appears in the DPO application and at renewal rather than in a public schedule (C.R.S. 12‑20‑105; authorization in 12‑155‑108(3)). Most businesses should also budget for city/county trade registrations where they work: Boulder currently lists $278.95; Englewood $75; Pueblo County $130. Boulder; Englewood; Pueblo County.
Who needs a plumbing contractor registration in Colorado?
Any person or business offering to plan, lay out, supervise, install, alter, or repair plumbing for others must register as a plumbing contractor with DORA and be—or employ—a full‑time Master Plumber. C.R.S. 12‑155‑103(10), 12‑155‑108(3).
Renewal timing and late fees
Beginning with the cycle that starts March 1, 2027, Board credentials renew every three years. There is a 60‑day grace period with a delinquency fee; after that, reinstatement is required. A legislative fiscal analysis confirms the next plumber expiration is February 28, 2027. C.R.S. 12‑155‑112; SB 26‑093 Fiscal Note.
Related Colorado contractor costs
If your firm also does electrical work, compare the process and local fees with our guide to the electrical contractor license cost in Colorado. For mechanical work, see our breakdown of HVAC contractor license costs in Colorado. These trades are regulated separately (electrical) or locally (mechanical) and often require additional city registrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a state exam for a Colorado plumbing contractor registration?
No. The contractor registration has no state exam. However, the business must be or employ a Colorado‑licensed Master Plumber (who obtained that license by exam) and supervise all plumbing work. A temporary work permit cannot be used to obtain a new contractor registration. C.R.S. 12‑155‑108(3); 3 CCR 720‑1 Rule 1.4(D)(2).
Does Colorado require a bond or general liability insurance to register as a plumbing contractor?
The State Plumbing Board does not prescribe a statewide bond or GL policy for the contractor registration. You must demonstrate compliance with workers’ compensation and unemployment laws. Cities/counties may set their own insurance or bond rules. C.R.S. 12‑155‑108(3); local examples linked above.
What happens if my Responsible Master Plumber leaves?
You have 20 days to hire another Master Plumber. If not, the Board places your registration into “Need Master Hire—Cannot Practice” status until a new master is attached and the required fee is paid. 3 CCR 720‑1 Rule 1.4(I).
When do Colorado plumbing contractor registrations renew?
Renewals move to a three‑year term beginning with the cycle that starts March 1, 2027. There is a 60‑day grace period with a delinquency fee; after that, reinstatement is required. C.R.S. 12‑155‑112; Rule 1.4(E); LCS Fiscal Note.
How much should I budget for local registrations?
Budgets vary by jurisdiction. Current posted examples include Boulder $278.95, Englewood $75, and Pueblo County $130. Check each city/county where you pull permits to confirm current fees before bidding. Boulder; Englewood; Pueblo County.
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.