Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Morgantown, WV

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

1. West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Certification

   Individuals performing plumbing work in West Virginia must hold a Plumber Certification from the WV Division of Labor (WV Code §21-14) at the Master, Journeyman or Plumber in Training level. The business itself must separately hold a Plumbing contractor license from the independent WV Contractor Licensing Board once a job reaches $5,000 residential or $25,000 commercial; that requires passing a Pro V trade exam and showing insurance, workers' compensation and a wage bond affidavit.

   Official government source

   $75 Master or Journeyman Plumber, $25 Plumber in Training (same fee initial and renewal); WV Contractor Licensing Board plumbing contractor license is $90/year (statutory cap $150)·4–8 weeks

   $75 Master or Journeyman Plumber, $25 Plumber in Training (same fee initial and renewal); WV Contractor Licensing Board plumbing contractor license is $90/year (statutory cap $150)

   4–8 weeks

2. City of Morgantown Finance Department — Municipal Business License

   Every business operating inside Morgantown city limits must hold a Municipal Business License issued by the city Finance Department (304-284-7408) and applied for through the Morgantown Access Portal. You must first hold a WV State Business Registration Certificate, and if you have a physical location in the city you must also obtain a Certificate of Occupancy ($65) before the license will issue. Licenses run on the city fiscal year and expire June 30, so renew on or before July 1. The license is separate from the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) gross-receipts tax and its municipal service fee on employees and self-employed owners working in the city.

   Official government source

   $20 flat Municipal License Fee (also $20 for non-profits), printed on the city's Municipal Business License Application; B&O tax and the municipal service fee are billed separately·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat Municipal License Fee (also $20 for non-profits), printed on the city's Municipal Business License Application; B&O tax and the municipal service fee are billed separately

   1–3 weeks

3. City of Morgantown Development Services — Plumbing/Fuel Gas Permit (per project)

   A separate plumbing (and fuel gas) permit must be pulled from the City of Morgantown Development Services Department for each job inside city limits, submitted through the Morgantown Access Portal with a site plan, pipe sizing and materials, fixture clearances, shut-off and clean-out locations, and the job cost. A separate application is required for each scope of work, and inspections are required on completion. Exterior installations also need a Morgantown Utility Board storm water permit application. Monongalia County does not enforce a building code outside the municipalities.

   Official government source

   Fee is calculated from the estimated cost of the job stated on the application (contractor's estimate, or materials cost for a homeowner); the city does not publish a flat schedule — Development Services, 304-284-7401·1–5 business days

   Fee is calculated from the estimated cost of the job stated on the application (contractor's estimate, or materials cost for a homeowner); the city does not publish a flat schedule — Development Services, 304-284-7401

   1–5 business days

Official Sources

• West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumbing Contractor License
• City of Morgantown City Clerk

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