Key Updates Relate to License & Registration Number Displays
In June 2024, the sunset bill (HB24-1344) for the State Plumbing Board (Board) became law. The changes to the statutes within the bill reflect additional requirements for plumbing licensees and registrants and require the Board to update and revise their rules. After completing the revisions and considering stakeholder feedback, the Board adopted the revised rules, which became effective on April 30, 2025. The following information serves as notification of the changes and new requirements.
After June 30, 2025, contractors are required to display their plumbing contractor registration number and the license number of the contractor’s responsible master plumber on their vehicles, billing materials, bid sheets, and website pursuant to Section 12-155-125, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of these rules is to ensure transparency and accountability among plumbing contractors by requiring the display of relevant registration and license information wherever public interactions occur.
Some additional details:
- Vehicles subject to the law include those that are company-owned or personal vehicles used for the company’s business purposes for any length of time. The registration and license numbers must be prominently displayed in at least two locations on the vehicle, and must be readable - with the lettering at least two inches in height.
- For bid forms provided to the public by a general contractor, the plumbing contractor must ensure that either the registration and license numbers are entered at the top of the first page of the general contractor’s bid form or at the top of a cover sheet the plumbing contractor submits to the general contractor to be provided to the public.
- Registration and license numbers for billing materials should be placed near the contractor’s contact information.
- Websites must prominently display the registration and license homepage of the company website, and should also appear on the “Contact Us” and “About Us” pages to ensure visibility. Any plumbing contractor advertising on any website - including social media - should also display the required registration and license numbers.
Plumbing contractors must ensure all required displays are updated in the event of changes to the company’s plumbing contractor number or responsible master plumber’s license number within 90 days.
Failure to comply with these new requirements may result in disciplinary action by the Board, from fining up to and including revocation
HB24-1344 extended the Board and its laws until Sept. 1, 2032. Other changes implemented into law/rule include such topics as:
- Definition of director supervision: Direct supervision now means that the supervising licensed master plumber, journeyworker plumber, or residential plumber is physically present at the same physical addresses listed on the permits and where the apprentice is working or no more than five minutes distance from the apprentice within the same construction or job sites. Please see the revisions to Rule 1.2E. 1(c) and 2(c) for more information.
- Applicant experience hours for license or registration: Applicants for license or registration cannot verify their own experience hours. This previously was a requirement; however, it is now codified in rule (Rule 1.4 A(3)(f).
- License renewal period: The license renewal period has been extended from a two- to a three-year period beginning March 1, 2027, with a new expiration date of 2030.
- Journeyman definition: The license previously called Journeyman is now defined as Journeyworker.
While the sunset bill also addressed changes to work-related to backflow prevention devices, those changes have since been modified by HB25-1077: Backflow Prevention Device Requirements which became effective on March 28, 2025. This bill removed the licensure requirement for individuals who inspect, test or repair these devices that had been added in HB24-1344.
Should you have any questions regarding these new rules/laws, please contact dora_plumbingboard@state.co.us. Thank you for your attention to these important changes.
Permits and Inspections for "Tiny Homes"
The growing popularity of the "Tiny Home" carries with it several non-resolvable issues for individuals purchasing one with the intent of residing in the state of Colorado. The homes contain electrical wiring, plumbing, and fuel gas piping which are all required to be inspected by one of three means listed in the summary below. Tiny Homes built in other states cannot be inspected as required by Colorado statute as the installations are already covered, therefore tiny homes are not eligible for connection to utility services such as electric, water, sewer, or fuel gas.
Summary
Tiny homes:
- are units that are typically 400 square feet of space or less and mounted on a wheeled platform for mobility.
- are constructed at an offsite manufacturing location (mostly out of state).
- contain living areas for cooking and sleeping.
- have electrical wiring and plumbing already installed.
The Colorado Revised Statutes for Electrical and for Plumbing require inspections for all electrical, plumbing, and gas piping installations. These inspections must be conducted by:
- State Electrical or Plumbing Board inspectors, or
- Local Jurisdictional Authority Inspectors, or
- Certification by the Division of Housing pursuant to 24-32-3311 Colorado Revised Statues regulating manufacture/mobile home construction (these units bear a HUD or FHA certification data plate).
Any structure that is built without inspections #1 or #2 above during construction and is not certified by #3 above is not eligible for electrical, plumbing or gas permits, or inspections by state or local jurisdictional permitting agencies by current state law.
Conclusion
All plumbing, fuel gas piping and electrical installations are to be inspected and passed prior to the connection of any utility services. As these units are already finished on the inside, making inspection impossible, "Tiny Homes" are not eligible for connection to utility services.