Inside the State of Alabama a Plumbers license is needed to perform any type of plumbing work inside the State. In order to aquire an application for an Albama Plumber license, you should contact the State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examination Board. The board issues separate licenses for apprentice, journeyman and master plumbers certification.
How to get a Plumbing License
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get a plumbing license in the United States. Only very few States do not require you to be licensed as a plumber. Find out exactly how to become a plumber in the State you intend to work in.
Plumbers licensing requirements for a journeyman plumber and master plumber license are usually determined at the state level by the state division of plumbing and the necessary requirements and exams will vary in each State. The enforcing & regulating of the state plumbing licensing requirements often fall under individual municipalities.
In order to get a plumbers license, applicants first will have to complete an apprenticeship program under the supervision of a registered master plumber, In most states a minimum of 4 years on-the-job training is required to get a journeyman plumbers license. To obtain a master plumbers license, usually another 4 years of on the job experience is required.
Reciprocity Agreements
Sometimes the fasted way to obtain a plumbing license in a certain state is through a reciprocity agreement. If the reciprocity agreements in your current state allow contractors licensed in certain other states to obtain a license in the current state without having to take the state trade exam.
Plumbers Apprenticeship
Some states may require you to register as an apprentice plumber. Check with your state’s Professional Licensing Agency if you are unsure whether this is required in your local area. An apprenticeship training covers the basics of a wide range of plumbing systems and components and their installation. Apprentice plumbers will have to get familiar with skills ranging from residential toilets to advanced water heaters and computerised control systems.
As an apprentice plumber, you will be able to find yourself working in many different areas ranging from construction sites to residential homes. The job prospects for plumbers are good, and there’s plenty of opportunity for self-employment.
Journeyman Plumbing License
A journeyman plumber is defined as a licensed individual with the required training, experience, technical knowledge, and qualifications to work in the plumbing industry.
In most states, any individual interested in becoming a licensed or certified journeyman plumber must take and pass the journeyman plumber exam administered by the state in which he or she wishes to work. Most states require an amount of on-the job work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed master plumber of 4 to 5 years before you are eligible to take the examination.
Journeyman Plumbers Exam
To pass the journeyman plumber exam to get a license, the applicants will need to have sufficient knowledge of federal and local plumbing codes, state regulations, maintenance and repair of plumbing systems, and of plumbing system installation.
Master Plumbing License
A master plumber is defined as a licensed person with the required training, experience, technical knowledge, and qualifications to supervise other individuals in the plumbing industry and organize and implement projects.
Master Plumbers Exam
Most states require any person that wants to get a master plumbing license to pass the master plumbers exam, some states require you to pass an addition business and law examination.
To see if the licensing board that handles the testing and licensing for your particular state has any additional examinations or requirements check out the state licensing section below where you'll find all the requirements for the journeyman plumber license and master plumber license and/or plumbing contractor license in a particular state.
Plumbing License Requirements per State
Alaska law requires that plumbers have a Alaska plumbing license and are registered with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to perform any type of plumbing work inside the State. The Department of labor issues separate licenses for journeyman and master plumbers certification.
Inside the State of Arizona a plumbing license is required in order to perform any work as a plumber in Arizona. The State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues separate licenses for commercial and residential work for each particular trade or construction field after passing the plumbing examination.
In the State of Arkansas a plumbing license is required for any person, corporation, partnership or other entity that is engaged in plumbing or performing plumbing installations, unless you work only on your own residence or agricultural buildings. In order to get an application for an Arkansas plumber license, you should contact the Arkansas Department of Health’s Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
Inside the State of California a contractors license is required in prior to bidding on commercial, residential, and public works construction involving projects that exceeds $500. To become a licensed contractor, candidates are required to pass the California plumbers exam and the business and law exam.
Inside the State of Colorado a State license is required for electrical, asbestos removal, plumbers, and pesticides trade. However there is no State license for general contracting. Dependent on where you are working, additional licensing may be required on a city or county level.
Inside the State of Connecticut a Plumbers License is required for all persons that offers to the public services in Plumbing and piping and/or irrigation system contractor and well drillers. The plumbing and pipefitting license is required to perform plumbing and piping work including irrigation systems. The Well Drillers and Well Casing License is required to construct a well including but not limitied to the installation, repair and maintenance of pumps.
In the State of Delaware a plumbing license is required for any person, corporation, partnership or other entity that is engaged in plumbing or performing plumbing installations, unless you work only on your own residence or agricultural buildings. In order to get an application for an DE Plumbers License, you should contact the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation - Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners.
In Washington DC a Plumbing License is required in order to perform work as a plumber in the District of Columbia. The DC Board of Industrial Trades is responsible for the administration and enforcement of plumbing regulations and issues the licenses for journeyman and master plumbers. The board also governs electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and other operating engineers.
Florida requires a Registered Contractor, Certified Contractor, and Specialty License in order to do construction work. A contractor license is required in Florida before bidding on any projects. In Florida, the individual registered plumber is licensed by the city or county while the contractual plumber is licensed by the state. To become a general licensed contractor, candidates are required to pass the Florida plumbing exam and the business and finance exam.
In the state of Georgia a plumbers license is required for Air Conditioning, Electrical, and Plumbing trades. In order to obtain a GA plumber license from the Georgia Board of Construction Industry, to conduct the trade or business of plumbing, applicants must first pass the state of Georgia plumbers exam.
In the state of Idaho a Plumbers License is required to perform any plumbing work inside ID. To become a licensed plumber in Idaho, any business or individual performing work as a plumber is required to pass the Idaho plumbing exam issued by the Idaho Division of Building Safety. The Idaho Plumbing license covers unlimited commercial and residential plumbing but does NOT cover fuel gas or boiler systems.
In the state of Illinois a Plumbers License is required to perform any plumbing work inside IL. To become a licensed plumber in Illinois, any business or individual performing work as a plumber is required to pass the Illinois plumbers exam issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health or the City of Chicago.
To work as a plumber in the State of Indiana a plumbing license from the Indiana Plumbing Commission is required. The Plumbing Commission has outsourced the plumbing exam for journeyman plumbers and plumbing contractors license to the International Code Council ICC.
To work as a plumber in the State of Iowa a plumbing license from the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board is required. Anyone working as a plumber in the state of Iowa is required to be licensed with the Board. The Iowa Department of Health approves all the applications for the Iowa Plumber License.
Kansas currently does not require a Contractor License in order to do construction work inside the state of Kansas. Depending on the city in which you work/plan to work in you will need to obtain a local plumbing license. The individual registered plumber is licensed by the city or county. Kansas has adopted the International Plumbing Code established by the International Code Council.
In the State of Kentucky a Plumbing License is required for any person that wants to perform work as a journeyman or master plumber in Wisconsin. The Journeyman and Master Plumbing Licenses are issued by the Kentucky Division of Plumbing of the State Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction after passing the required State Plumbing Exam.
Inside the state of Louisiana all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work that exceeds $10,000 requires a Louisiana plumbing license. In Louisiana, you can become an apprentice plumber at the age of 16. The average salary of a plumber in Louisiana is between $14.87 to $ 30.63 per hour, depending upon the experience of the worker.
In the State of Maine a plumbing license is required for any person, corporation, partnership or other entity that is engaged in plumbing or performing plumbing installations. In order to get an application for a Maine Plumber license, you should contact the ME Department of Professional & Financial Regulations - Plumbers’ Examining Board.
In the State of Maryland a Plumbing License is required in order to provide or assist in providing plumbing and gas services in Maryland. The MD State Board of Plumbing issues separate licenses for journeyman plumbers / gas fitters and Master Plumbers / Gas Fitters.
In the state of Massachusetts a state license is required for plumbers, construction supervisors and all electrical, landscape architecture, and home improvement related trades. Mass plumber licenses can be obtained from the MA Division of Professional Licensure.
In the state of Michigan, in order to perform licensed work a residential contractors need to be licensed. A license is also required for plumbers and electrical trades. Often, the job of enforcing and regulating these requirements falls to individual municipalities.
Inside the State of Minnesota a Plumbers license is required before you can work as a Journeyman or Master plumber. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry licenses the plumber to verify that they have the necessary training and knowledge to work safe and legally.
In the State of Mississippi Licenses are required for residential plumbers who perform over $10,000 of plumbing work. Commercial plumbers must be licensed if they perform over $50,000 of plumbing work. All plumbers are required to apply for the proper permits for each job. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors acts as the contractor licensing authority.
In the state of Missouri a Contractor License is required for any person that wants to engage in or working at the business of plumbing in cities or towns of fifteen thousand (15.000) or more inhabitants in this the State of Missouri. Contractor Licensing is regulated at the City / County level and not at the State level. Please contact the City or County that you are intending on performing your work in.
Nevada law requires plumbing contractors operating inside Nevada to hold either a Nevada State Contractors Board issued C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor License or a C1D Nevada Plumbing Contractor License.
Requirements to Get a NV Plumbers License
In order to become a licensed plumber in Nevada, you will need to pass the exam administered by the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Electricians and plumbers working inside New Jersey require licensing at the state level. To become a licensed master plumber in the State of New Jersey, candidates are required to pass the state examination. A license is not required to work as a Journeyman plumber, but a state registration is required.
Contracting without a license inside the State of New Mexico is against the law. The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department’s Mechanical Bureau Construction Industries Division provide inspections for the mechanical and plumbing industry and enforces the state adopted codes, standards and licensing.
In the state of New York plumbers must register with the Secretary of State. All other NY licensing is regulated at the local level. Local government entities regulate the trade of plumbing as outlined in NYS General City Law, Article 4. To obtain a certificate of competency to conduct the trade or business of plumbing, one must pass the New York plumbers exam.
All persons who perform work as a plumber or offer to engage in the business of plumbing need to be licensed by the State of North Carolina. A general contractors license (for either residential or building construction) is required inside the State of North Carolina (NC) for all projects that exceed $30,000.
Certification & Licensing requirements for plumbers are usually determined at the state level and vary from state to state. Often, the job of enforcing and regulating these requirements falls to individual municipalities. To become a licensed contractor in Ohio, any business or individual performing plumbing work is required to pass a license test issued by the Ohio Department of Commerce - Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB).
In the state of Oklahoma a plumbers license is issued by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. In order to obtain a OK plumber license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, to conduct the trade or business of plumbing, applicants must first pass the state of Oklahoma plumbers exam.
In the State of Oregon a CCB license is required for anyone who works for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to be licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors including plumbing contractors, however, Pennsylvania PHCC is working on this. For public works projects, see the General Services website of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services.
Inside the State of South Carolina most plumbing work requires you to hold a residential license. A commercial plumbing license is required in prior to bidding on commercial, residential, and public works construction involving projects that exceeds $5,000. To become a licensed plumber, candidates are required to pass the South Carolina plumbers exam.
Inside the State of Tennessee, a plumbing license is required for all projects over $25,000. For smaller plumbing projects that do not exceed $25,000, you are required to obtain at least a limited plumber license.
Inside the state of Texas all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work requires a Texas state license. For residential construction licensing is no longer regulated at the state level in TX. To become a licensed contractor, candidates are required to pass the texas plumber exam.
Inside the state of Utah all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work performed by a Journeyman plumber or master plumbers requires a Utah state plumbing license issued by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. To become a licensed plumbing contractor, candidates are required to pass the Utah plumber exam.
Inside the State of Virginia plumbing license is required, either a journeyman plumber license, master plumbers license, or contractor license. To meet the requirement for either a journeyman plumber or a master plumber, there are two exams that need to be passed.
Inside the State of Washington a license is required for plumbing, and electrical trades. All plumbing businesses need to register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. A WA Plumbing License covers any plumbing work including sanitary drainage, water supply, storm drainage, and natural gas piping.
In the State of Wisconsin a Plumbing License is required for any person that wants to perform work as a plumbers in Wisconsin. Journeyman and Master Plumbing Licenses are issued by the Safety and Buildings Division of The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services after passing the State Plumbing Exam.
