Plumbing and HVAC rules in Virginia

In Virginia, a plumbing business holds a Class A, B or C contractor license with the plumbing (PLB) specialty from the Board for Contractors, with Class C starting at $1,000, and plumbers hold master or journeyman tradesman licenses.^{1, 2}

In Virginia, a heating and cooling business holds a Class A, B or C contractor license with the HVAC (HVA) specialty from the Board for Contractors, and technicians hold HVAC tradesman licenses.^{1, 2, 3}

Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021) uses the 2021 International Plumbing Code.⁴ The same code uses the 2021 International Mechanical Code.⁴

Virginia's building code requires a permit for mechanical systems and equipment, and an emergency replacement can be filed for by the next working day. In houses, replacing mechanical appliances that aren't fueled by gas or oil, or replacing plumbing fixtures without changing the system, is exempt.⁴

In Virginia, water systems' cross-connection programs must include operational tests of backflow assemblies at least once a year and after they're installed or repaired. Testers hold a separate tradesman credential from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.^{5, 3}