License path
Kentucky Contractor License Exam Prep
Kentucky contractors are licensed by the Kentucky Electrical Licensing Division (HBC). Most classifications sit a trade paper plus Law & Business. Need only the business paper? It is sold standalone. If you buy a Kentucky classification that sits that exam, that paper is 75% off where we offer it.
Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not publish a single Q-count for every classification on this page, and we do not guarantee a passing result.
Getting your Kentucky contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Kentucky classification that requires a state board exam — currently 6 courses across Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC / Mechanical. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169.
Who licenses contractors in Kentucky
These are the Kentucky classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction | Mechanical & fuel-gas codes, EPA 608 |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Kentucky board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Kentucky
Kentucky licenses the trades through the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), with separate divisions for plumbing, HVAC and electrical. The plumbing requirements sit in 815 KAR 20:030 and the electrical in 815 KAR 35:060.
- Journeyman plumber: two consecutive years. You need at least two consecutive years of experience as an apprentice plumber, evidenced by W-2 forms, an affidavit signed by the Kentucky-licensed master plumber employing you, or a plumbing licence issued by another state. The licence fee is $60.
- Master plumber: two years licensed, recently. You must have held a valid journeyman plumber’s licence for a minimum of two years within the past five years immediately preceding application, and have been actively employed in plumbing under the supervision of a licensed master plumber for at least two years. The licence fee is $250.
- Kentucky sets a higher bar on the master exam. The master plumber examination requires a minimum of 80 percent on each portion — not the 70% that most states use, and not an average across the paper. Every section has to clear 80 on its own.
- Journeyman electrician: experience verified in writing. Kentucky requires a notarised letter from an employer, former employer, electrical inspector or another master electrician verifying your full-time work as an electrician. Confirm the current required number of years directly with the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction — it is set administratively rather than in the regulation text.
- The written exam runs 2.5 hours. DHBC allows a maximum of two and a half hours for the written plumbing examination; the journeyman licence adds a separate 2.5-hour practical section in which you demonstrate installation work.
- Renew annually with continuing education. Renewal fees mirror the licence fees — $250 for master plumbers and $60 for journeymen — with proof of continuing education under 815 KAR 2:010, obtained in the twelve months before renewal. Electrical contractors show at least six hours per year.
Sources: Kentucky DHBC Plumbing Licensing Examination page and licence applications; 815 KAR 20:030 Plumbing licenses, 815 KAR 35:060 and 815 KAR 2:010 Continuing education requirements. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with DHBC.
Choose your Kentucky classification
Each course includes a comprehensive study guide — often 10,000 words or more — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Kentucky test.
Kentucky contractor licensing — FAQ
Does Kentucky license general contractors?
Not at the state level – general contractor licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC) licenses the trades: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, boiler, and fire-protection sprinkler contractors.
What are the passing scores in Kentucky?
They vary by trade: HVAC and boiler require 70%; a plumbing journeyman needs 75% overall (at least 70% on each portion); and a master plumber needs 80% (at least 75% on each portion).
Who administers the Kentucky exams?
Electrical exams run through ICC / Pearson VUE, while plumbing, HVAC, and boiler exams are administered by the DHBC. Confirm the current question counts and references in the candidate information bulletin.
Which Kentucky licenses do you build courses for?
The state-licensed trades that require an exam – electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and boiler. For a general-contractor license, check the requirements of your city or county.
How long should I study for the Kentucky exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.