Quick Reference Table
Item | Details |
|---|---|
License Types | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Journeyman-in-Training, Trainee Plumber |
Regulating Agency | Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Plumbers’ Examining Board |
Experience Required | Master: 1 yr (2,000 hrs) as Journeyman, or 4 yrs (8,000 hrs) as Trainee; Journeyman: 2 yrs (4,000 hrs) as Trainee or 2,000 hrs as JIT; JIT: board-approved education; Trainee: none |
Exam Required | Master, Journeyman, JIT: Yes (PROV, Inc.); Trainee: No |
Renewal Cycle | Master, Journeyman, Trainee: Biennial; JIT: 4-year, non-renewable |
Continuing Education | Not specified in official sources |
Fees (as of 2026) | Master/Journeyman/JIT: $200 license + $21 background; Trainee: $100 + $21; Late fees: $50–$150 per penalty schedule |
Official Links | Board homepage, Exam portal, License lookup |
Who Needs a License in Maine?
Any person engaged in plumbing or plumbing installations in Maine must hold a valid state plumbing license unless they clearly meet one of the statutory exemptions. The plumbing license requirements in Maine are set directly by the Maine Plumbers’ Examining Board. Performing any installation or repair work without an active license is generally prohibited, with heavy penalties possible for violations.
However, there are important exceptions. First, homeowners may do plumbing in their personal single-family residence (their lawful abode) provided they fully comply with Maine plumbing laws and rules. This exemption does not extend to rental properties, multi-family units, or work for others. Second, licensed pump installers can perform very limited cold water pipe work (only up to 15 feet in the same room) within defined limits. Third, employees of public utility companies engaged in plumbing as part of their employment duties do not require a separate plumber’s license.
It is also key to note that Maine law does not distinguish between employee plumbers, subcontractors, or general contractors looking to self-perform plumbing. There is also no stated dollar threshold or difference between residential or commercial work in the board’s licensing mandate, all work except for the above exceptions requires a license. Finally, only a Master or Journeyman Plumber may supervise Trainee Plumbers, and even then, a single licensee cannot supervise more than three trainees at a time. No municipal/town plumbing licenses are accepted in lieu of the state license.
Plumbing License Requirements in Maine: License Types
The plumbing license requirements in Maine are based on four primary license types. Each classification gives different work authority, responsibilities, and prerequisites.
Master Plumber
The Master Plumber license is the highest credential. It allows full independence in installing, repairing, and maintaining all plumbing systems statewide. Master Plumbers may supervise Journeyman and Trainee Plumbers. To qualify, you must document either one year (2,000 hours) as a licensed Journeyman or four years (8,000 hours) as a licensed Trainee working under supervision, and you must pass the Master Plumber examination.
Journeyman Plumber
The Journeyman Plumber license is intended for individuals with moderate field experience. Journeymen perform plumbing work under the authority of a Master Plumber. Applicants must complete either two years (4,000 hours) as a licensed Trainee under a Master Plumber, or 2,000 hours as a Journeyman-in-Training within the previous four years, and then pass the Journeyman exam.
Journeyman-in-Training (JIT)
The Journeyman-in-Training (JIT) license is transitional. It enables plumbing school graduates or apprentices to gain supervised field experience. To qualify, you must complete a board-approved one-year (2 semester) plumbing course, or a two-year related technical/apprenticeship program. You must also pass the Journeyman exam with at least a 70% score. JIT licenses are valid for only four years and are non-renewable by law.
Trainee Plumber
The Trainee Plumber license is entry-level. It lets new workers assist under the direct supervision of a Master or Journeyman, but they cannot practice independently or supervise others. There are no experience prerequisites or exams for this tier. The Trainee classification helps ensure that all hands-on work is observed and that on-the-job learning can occur legally.
How to Get Licensed in Maine
To meet plumbing license requirements in Maine, you must complete a defined multi-step application and exam process that varies by license type. All applications are now processed online only through the Board’s portal.
Determine the appropriate license type and ensure you meet all experience or education prerequisites. Different categories have different minimums for hours worked, training, and age requirements.
Gather required documentation such as transcripts (for JIT), experience logs, or proof of training. Only valid and official records are accepted.
Apply online at the Plumbers’ Examining Board application portal, attaching digital copies of your documents and submitting the appropriate license and background check fees. Since January 2024, paper, fax, and email applications are no longer accepted by the board.
For Master, Journeyman, or JIT applicants, await board review and approval to sit for the required exam. Trainee applicants skip this step, as no exam is mandated.
Schedule your exam with PROV, Inc., after you receive notice from the board. You may select an in-person testing center or a remote proctored session, depending on your location and preference.
Pass the exam (minimum passing score 75% required for Master/Journeyman). The JIT license allows a 70% passing grade. If unsuccessful on your first attempt, review the board’s official policy on retakes, specifics are not publicly posted, so verify with the exam coordinator or board.
After successfully passing, return to the online portal and complete your license activation step. The system updates eligibility records within one day of a passing exam.
Receive your Maine plumbing license in PDF form via email, showing your license classification and current status. Print and maintain a copy on every worksite.
Processing Tips
The licensing board reports that since January 2024, online applications process much faster than previous paper systems. You are responsible for tracking your license status and keeping your contact information updated on the portal.
Application Requirements
Applicants must meet several mandatory criteria to satisfy the plumbing license requirements in Maine. These requirements depend on classification, but many elements are shared across licenses.
Age and Experience
The minimum age to hold a Trainee Plumber license is 16. For advanced licenses, you must complete the specified years or hours of directly supervised plumbing experience described above, with official records. For Journeyman-in-Training, completion of a recognized plumbing education program is also required. Only documented work or study counts toward the eligibility threshold, self-claims without records are not accepted.
Education Prerequisites
Journeyman-in-Training candidates must show evidence of completion of a qualifying board-approved one-year plumbing course or a two-year apprenticeship/technical program. You must also pass the board exam (at least 70%). Masters and Journeymen typically do not require specific schooling if qualifying by field experience, but proof of prior licenses and hours worked is mandatory.
Background Check
All license applicants (Master, Journeyman, JIT, Trainee) must submit to a criminal background check as part of the online application. The background fee is $21, paid directly to the board. The sources do not detail what conditions may disqualify an applicant, so check with the board if you have criminal history or concerns.
Bond and Insurance
No bond or insurance requirements are stated in current Maine plumbing licensing rules. However, contractors should always check local ordinances or project-specific terms for insurance/bonding unrelated to board licensing. The Maine Plumbers’ Examining Board does not require you to post a surety bond or show proof of liability insurance to obtain or renew a plumbing license.
Federal Certifications
No reference to EPA 608 or similar federal certifications appears in Maine state sources for plumbing license applicants. If your work will involve refrigerants or other regulated substances, research those requirements independently, as they are outside plumbing licensing law.
Exams
To fulfill plumbing license requirements in Maine for the Master, Journeyman, or JIT classifications, you must pass the applicable exam, which is administered exclusively by PROV, Inc.
Exam Name and Format
The required tests are the "Journeyman Plumber Exam" and the "Master Plumber Exam." Both are delivered by computer, proctored by PROV, Inc., and may be taken in approved test centers around Maine or as remotely proctored exams where eligible. The Master Plumber and Journeyman exams both require a passing score of 75% or higher. The JIT pathway allows a lower minimum of 70% to qualify for its four-year license.
Exam Process
You cannot register for the exam yourself. Instead, you must apply to the Board first. Upon application approval, you will receive exam scheduling instructions. The actual number of questions and content breakdown are not specified in official sources, nor is the waiting period or retake policy. For the most accurate and current testing details, consult the official Maine Plumbers’ Examining Board examination page: Maine Plumbers’ Examining Board examination page.
Fees
Fees for plumbing license requirements in Maine are fixed in law and board policy. Application, background, and renewal fees vary by license tier and must be paid on submission or renewal. All below were verified as of 2026 at the official board licensing page.
Master Plumber: $200 license application fee, plus $21 background check, for a total of $221. Biennial renewal also $200.
Journeyman Plumber: $200 license application fee plus $21 background check. Biennial renewal $200.
Trainee Plumber: $100 license application fee, plus $21 background check. Biennial renewal $100.
Journeyman-in-Training: $200 license fee plus $21 background check. Four-year nonrenewable term.
Late Renewal Fees: If you renew within 90 days after expiration, pay a $50 late fee. If more than 90 days but less than 2 years late, a $100 penalty is added to the renewal fee. For lapses beyond two years, you must reapply as a new candidate and pay all application fees again.
Bond: No bond requirement is listed in state sources.
For any updates or to verify the latest fee schedule, visit the Maine Plumbers’ Examining Board individual licensing page.
Renewal and Continuing Education
All Maine plumbing licenses, except Journeyman-in-Training, must be renewed every two years to maintain valid status. The renewal process is entirely online. The JIT license has a fixed four-year maximum, after which a higher tier must be obtained or practice must stop.
Renewal Cycle and Deadlines
The renewal deadline for Master, Journeyman, and Trainee licenses is based on the original issue date. Failure to renew on time results in penalties. If your license lapses for two or more years, you must begin the application process from scratch, including resubmitting all documents and paying full fees.
Continuing Education
The state’s official sources do not currently specify any mandatory continuing education (CE) requirements for plumbers in any license category. That means, as of now, you are not required to complete CE hours to renew. However, changes can occur, so always verify before your renewal window by checking with the Plumbers’ Examining Board.
Lapse Consequences
If you allow your license to expire, you face increasing late fees and potentially must reapply as a new applicant if the gap exceeds the statutory limit. Performing plumbing work with an expired license is illegal and exposes you to legal and financial penalties.
Reciprocity
Maine law includes a provision for license reciprocity, allowing the Plumbers’ Examining Board to potentially issue licenses by endorsement. However, plumbing license requirements in Maine do not specify which, if any, other states are recognized for reciprocity, nor is there a list of agreements posted online.
If you hold an out-of-state plumbing license and wish to work in Maine, you must contact the Board directly and provide your credential and documented hours, as consideration is on a case-by-case basis. There is no automatic reciprocity process on record. Be prepared to document your training, testing, and work experience in detail for any possible endorsement application.
Official Links
License Lookup/Verification Portal
Plumbing Rules (Board Chapter 395)
