Licensing, definitions & eligibility: Virginia Journeyman Plumber (Tradesman) Practice Questions

Under the Virginia tradesman regulations, which of these is listed as plumbing work?

The definition of plumbing work in 18VAC50-30-10 lists piping, fixtures and appurtenances for items such as backflow prevention devices, boilers, sanitary or storm drainage, venting systems and water heaters.

What limits the work of a Virginia residential plumber tradesman?

18VAC50-30-10 limits the residential plumber tradesman to the USBC provisions for dwellings and townhouses (as defined in the Virginia Residential Code) and structures annexed to them; commercial, industrial, institutional and government buildings are excluded.

When may a person do plumbing work in Virginia without holding a tradesman license?

Section 54.1-1129(A) does not require a license of an individual working under the supervision of a tradesman licensed in the specialty being performed.

With no formal vocational training, how many years of practical experience must an applicant show for the Virginia journeyman plumber exam?

The 18VAC50-30-39(B) table allows a journeyman electrician, plumber or HVAC applicant with no formal training to qualify with eight years of practical experience.

An applicant for the residential plumber license has 160 hours of formal vocational training. How much practical experience is required?

The 18VAC50-30-39(A) table for residential HVAC and residential plumber applicants pairs 160 hours of formal vocational training with two years of practical experience in the trade.

A residential plumber tradesman wants to sit for the master plumber exam. How long must the residential license have been held?

Under 18VAC50-30-39(D), a master applicant qualifies after three years with a residential tradesman license in the trade, one year with a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience.

How many hours of board-approved continuing education may an applicant count toward the formal vocational training needed for the exam?

18VAC50-30-48 lets an applicant receive credit for a maximum of 40 hours of board-approved continuing education toward the required formal vocational training.

Under Virginia law, what is true of the Board's certification for backflow prevention device workers?

Section 54.1-1129(B) makes the backflow prevention device worker certification voluntary, as long as local program requirements are met, and requires localities to accept Board certification as proof of experience and training without more testing.

Under the regulations, what does backflow prevention device work include?

18VAC50-30-10 defines backflow prevention device work as reconstruction or renewal of any part of a currently installed device to return it to service; removing or replacing a defective device with a rebuilt or new one is not included.