🏠 Chimney Sweep License Requirements by State

Compare chimney sweep license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 6 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level chimney sweep license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $250–$250. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.
StateLicense RequiredExperienceExam FeeMedian Salary
ALAlabama Not Required $37,131
AKAlaska Not Required $52,923
AZArizona Not Required $41,399
ARArkansas Not Required $35,851
CACalifornia Not Required $58,898
COColorado Not Required $46,094
CTConnecticut Required $250 $49,081
DEDelaware Not Required $42,680
DCDistrict of Columbia Not Required $54,630
FLFlorida Not Required $40,972
GAGeorgia Not Required $39,692
HIHawaii Not Required $57,618
IDIdaho Not Required $40,119
ILIllinois Not Required $44,814
INIndiana Not Required $38,838
IAIowa Not Required $37,985
KSKansas Not Required $37,985
KYKentucky Not Required $37,985
LALouisiana Not Required $38,412
MEMaine Required $250 $41,399
MDMaryland Not Required $46,521
MAMassachusetts Required $250 $52,069
MIMichigan Not Required $40,119
MNMinnesota Not Required $44,387
MSMississippi Not Required $35,424
MOMissouri Not Required $38,412
MTMontana Not Required $40,972
NENebraska Not Required $38,412
NVNevada Not Required $43,533
NHNew Hampshire Required $250 $44,387
NJNew Jersey Not Required $50,362
NMNew Mexico Not Required $38,838
NYNew York Not Required $55,484
NCNorth Carolina Not Required $39,265
NDNorth Dakota Not Required $40,546
OHOhio Not Required $39,265
OKOklahoma Not Required $37,131
OROregon Not Required $46,948
PAPennsylvania Not Required $41,826
RIRhode Island Required $250 $43,960
SCSouth Carolina Not Required $38,838
SDSouth Dakota Not Required $37,558
TNTennessee Not Required $38,412
TXTexas Not Required $40,119
UTUtah Not Required $41,399
VTVermont Required $250 $43,106
VAVirginia Not Required $43,533
WAWashington Not Required $50,362
WVWest Virginia Not Required $36,704
WIWisconsin Not Required $40,119
WYWyoming Not Required $40,546

Common questions about chimney sweep licensing

Do all states require a chimney sweep license?

No — 6 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level chimney sweep license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a chimney sweep license?

Application fees across the states range $250–$250. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a chimney sweep license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.