100+ Free VA Plumber Practice Questions

Pass your Virginia Journeyman Plumber License Exam exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

~50-60% Pass Rate

100+ Questions

100% Free

1 / 100

Question 1

Score: 0/0

Which Virginia agency administers the journeyman plumber license?

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)

Virginia Board of Health

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

to track

Same family resources

More Plumber License Prep

Continue through related practice pages, study guides, comparisons, and articles from the same exam family.

Practice Pages

Alabama Journeyman Plumber Practice100 questions Alaska Journeyman Plumber Practice100 questions Arizona Journeyman Plumber Practice100 questions Arkansas Journeyman Plumber Practice100 questions California Journeyman Plumber Practice100 questions Colorado Journeyman Plumber Practice100 questions

Free Journeyman Plumber Practice Test by State 2026: 4,700+ Questions24 min read

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VA Plumber Exam

~76%

Passing Score

Virginia DPOR (53/70)

Exam Questions

PSI exam format

3 hrs

Time Limit

PSI

IPC/USBC

Code Base

Virginia adoption

The Virginia journeyman plumber exam is administered through PSI and overseen by DPOR. The exam has 70 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour time limit, requiring approximately 76% (53/70) to pass — higher than the 70% threshold in most states. Virginia uses the IPC within the Virginia USBC framework.

Sample VA Plumber Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VA Plumber exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Virginia agency administers the journeyman plumber license?

A.Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

B.Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)

C.Virginia Board of Health

D.Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Explanation: The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) administers the journeyman plumber license through its Board for Contractors. DPOR oversees all trade licensing in Virginia including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

2What plumbing code does Virginia use as the basis for its plumbing regulations?

A.Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

B.National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC)

C.International Plumbing Code (IPC) as part of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)

D.Virginia-specific independent plumbing code

Explanation: Virginia uses the International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted within the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The USBC incorporates the IPC with Virginia-specific amendments and modifications.

3What is the passing score required on the Virginia journeyman plumber exam?

A.70%

B.73%

C.Approximately 76% (53 out of 70 questions)

D.80%

Explanation: Virginia requires approximately 76% to pass the journeyman plumber exam (53 correct answers out of 70 questions). This is higher than the 70% passing threshold used by many other states, making the Virginia exam more demanding.

4Per the IPC as adopted in Virginia, what is the minimum slope for a 4-inch horizontal drainage pipe?

A.1/16 inch per foot

B.1/8 inch per foot

C.1/4 inch per foot

D.1/2 inch per foot

Explanation: Per the IPC as adopted in Virginia's USBC, horizontal drainage pipes 3 inches and larger require a minimum slope of 1/8 inch per foot. This ensures proper drainage flow and solid waste transport.

5What is the DFU value for a bathtub without a shower per the IPC?

A.1 DFU

B.2 DFU

C.3 DFU

D.4 DFU

Explanation: Per the IPC, a bathtub without a shower has a DFU value of 2. This value is used for sizing drainage and vent piping. A bathtub with a shower attachment typically has the same DFU value.

6Per the IPC, what is the minimum size cleanout required on a 4-inch building drain?

A.2 inches

B.3 inches

C.4 inches (same size as the drain)

D.6 inches

Explanation: The IPC requires cleanouts to be the same nominal size as the pipe they serve, up to 4 inches. For pipes larger than 4 inches, the cleanout must be at least 4 inches. Therefore, a 4-inch building drain requires a 4-inch cleanout.

7According to the IPC as adopted in Virginia, what is the maximum distance between cleanouts on a building sewer?

A.50 feet

B.75 feet

C.100 feet

D.150 feet

Explanation: Per the IPC, cleanouts must be installed at intervals not exceeding 100 feet on horizontal drainage lines including building sewers. Additional cleanouts are required at changes of direction greater than 45 degrees.

8Per the Virginia USBC/IPC, what is the maximum number of DFUs on a 2-inch vertical drainage stack?

A.6 DFU

B.10 DFU

C.16 DFU

D.24 DFU

Explanation: Per the IPC drainage fixture unit tables, a 2-inch vertical drainage stack can accommodate up to 16 DFUs (for a stack with 3 or more branch intervals). The capacity varies based on the number of branch intervals.

9What fitting is required to connect a horizontal branch to a vertical drainage stack per the IPC?

A.Standard sanitary tee

B.Wye fitting or combination wye-and-eighth bend

C.Any tee or elbow fitting

D.Long-sweep elbow only

Explanation: A wye fitting or combination wye-and-eighth bend is the preferred fitting for connecting a horizontal branch to a vertical drainage stack. A sanitary tee may also be used when connecting a horizontal branch to a vertical stack in the direction of flow.

10Per the IPC, what is the minimum size building drain receiving the discharge of 2 water closets and 2 lavatories?

A.2 inches

B.3 inches

C.4 inches

D.6 inches

Explanation: Two water closets (4 DFU each = 8 DFU) plus two lavatories (1 DFU each = 2 DFU) equals 10 DFU total. A 3-inch building drain can handle up to 20 DFU per the IPC tables, and the minimum size for any drain receiving a water closet is 3 inches.

About the VA Plumber Exam

Virginia journeyman plumber licensing exam administered by PSI and overseen by DPOR. Based on the IPC as adopted within the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Virginia requires a higher passing score of approximately 76% (53 out of 70 questions), making it more demanding than many other states.

Questions

70 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

~76% (53/70)

Exam Fee

$245 (Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR))

VA Plumber Exam Content Outline

25%

Drainage Systems

Drain pipe sizing, fixture units (DFU), slope requirements, cleanouts, building sewers, indirect waste, and special drainage per Virginia USBC/IPC

20%

Water Supply Systems

Water pipe sizing, WSFU calculations, backflow prevention, pressure regulation, water heaters, cross-connection control, and potable water protection

20%

Venting Systems

Vent sizing, wet venting, circuit venting, air admittance valves, vent termination, and trap seal protection per Virginia USBC

15%

Fixtures & Appliances

Fixture installation, clearances, accessible fixtures, commercial fixtures, scald prevention, and fixture counts per occupancy

10%

Gas Piping

Gas pipe sizing, BTU calculations, appliance venting, pressure testing, CSST bonding, and combustion air requirements

10%

Code Administration & Materials

DPOR requirements, permits, inspections, plan review, approved materials, joint methods, and Virginia USBC amendments

How to Pass the VA Plumber Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: ~76% (53/70)
Exam length: 70 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $245

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VA Plumber Study Tips from Top Performers

1Virginia's higher passing score (~76%) means you need stronger preparation than for most state exams

2Study the IPC/Virginia USBC thoroughly — master code navigation for the open-book exam

3Focus on DFU and WSFU calculations — pipe sizing questions are heavily tested

4Master backflow prevention device selection and installation requirements

5Practice vent sizing using IPC tables and understand wet venting configurations

6Study gas piping including CSST bonding requirements and combustion air calculations

7Review Virginia-specific USBC amendments that differ from the base IPC

8Take timed practice exams to build speed — 70 questions in 3 hours requires efficient pacing

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Virginia journeyman plumber exam?

The Virginia exam is challenging with an estimated 50-60% pass rate. It has 70 questions and requires approximately 76% (53/70) to pass — higher than the 70% threshold in most states. Strong IPC/USBC knowledge and code navigation skills are essential.

What plumbing code does Virginia use?

Virginia uses the IPC as adopted within the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The USBC incorporates the IPC with Virginia-specific amendments.

How much does the Virginia plumber exam cost?

The Virginia journeyman plumber exam fee is approximately $245, administered through PSI. Additional DPOR application fees may apply.

Why is Virginia's passing score higher?

Virginia requires approximately 76% (53 out of 70 questions) to pass, compared to 70% in most states. This higher threshold reflects Virginia's rigorous licensing standards through DPOR.