Quick Reference Table
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
License types | Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Business Entity Mechanical License |
Regulating agency | NH Office of Professional Licensure & Certification (OPLC) – Mechanical Licensing Board (official statute) |
Experience | Journeyman: Complete apprenticeship or 600 education hours; Master: hold NH journeyman license ≥6 months |
Exam | Journeyman & Master: Yes, board-administered multiple-choice; 75% passing score |
Renewal | Individuals: annually by birth month’s end; Business: annually by Jan 31 |
Continuing education | 6 hours every two years (approved seminar; NH code topics) |
Fees (2023) | Apprentice $90 initial/$80 renewal, Journeyman $190/$180, Master $310/$300, Business $275+, see fee section for full breakdown |
Official Board Rules | |
Apply Online/Renew | |
Fee Schedule |
Who Needs a License in New Hampshire?
Anyone engaging in plumbing work in the state must obtain a Plumbing license New Hampshire. This legal requirement covers all types of plumbing activities, whether residential, commercial, or industrial projects.
The law does not set a minimum dollar amount or size threshold for when a license is required. Therefore, whether you are replacing a kitchen sink or installing a full commercial system, you must meet Plumbing license New Hampshire requirements. If you work as an employee, your employer must maintain appropriate company and individual licenses, while sole proprietors and subcontractors must be licensed individually.
The New Hampshire statute defines plumbing broadly. It includes installing, extending, maintaining, or altering piping, fixtures, and equipment for sanitary drainage, storm drainage, or water supply systems. The law covers work within a building and up to five feet outside the foundation. As a result, handymen, general contractors, or property owners performing this type of work are also bound by Plumbing license New Hampshire law.
There is no explicit exemption for handymen or owner-builders in the statute. Therefore, property owners should confirm directly with the Mechanical Licensing Board if they intend to perform plumbing on their own properties, as licensing rules may still apply.
Plumbing License Types
New Hampshire regulates four main classifications under the Plumbing license New Hampshire structure. Each type carries specific qualifications, scopes of work, and limitations.
Apprentice Plumber: Entry-level license. Apprentices learn on the job under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber. Rules limit the number of apprentices any single licensee can supervise.
Journeyman Plumber: This is for individuals who have completed an approved apprenticeship or at least 600 hours of formal plumbing education. Journeymen perform all plumbing work but must be supervised by a master plumber.
Master Plumber: The highest license. Master plumbers may supervise others, contract with the public, and be responsible officers for licensed mechanical business entities. Six months as a licensed journeyman is required before applying.
Business Entity Mechanical/Plumbing License: Any business (e.g., LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietor using a business name) bidding or offering plumbing services must hold this license. The entity must employ or have as an officer a NH-licensed master plumber responsible for all plumbing work.
The Plumbing license New Hampshire system is designed to ensure that only qualified, experienced individuals perform work, protecting the health and safety of the public. Each classification carries increasing responsibility, and you may only contract directly with the public at the master or business level.
How to Get Your Plumbing license New Hampshire
Obtaining a Plumbing license New Hampshire involves education, testing, and paperwork. Each step must be completed to legally bid or perform work.
Step 1: Apply as an Apprentice (if new to the trade)
Submit the mechanical plumbing apprentice application packet with a fee of $90 (as of August 2023). You must include your Social Security Number and a photograph. (apprentice application)
Step 2: Complete Approved Apprenticeship or Education
Complete a registered apprenticeship or 600 hours of approved plumbing education. Document this training to qualify for journeyman application.
Step 3: Apply for Journeyman License
Submit the journeyman application form, along with apprenticeship completion certificate or proof of education, and pay the $190 initial or reinstatement fee. (fee schedule)
Step 4: Pass Exam for Journeyman License
The Mechanical Licensing Board schedules a multiple-choice journeyman exam covering code, drainage, venting, and NH law. Passing score is 75%.
Step 5: Gain Experience as Journeyman
Work at least six months as a licensed journeyman. Good character and competence are also required by board regulations.
Step 6: Apply for Master Plumber License and Pass Exam
Submit the master plumber application (application form per rules), pay the $310 fee, and document at least six months of journeyman experience. Take and pass the master exam, which includes advanced topics and NH-specific statutes. Score at least 75% to pass.
Step 7: Form a Business Entity (if applicable)
If contracting as a company or hiring plumbers, file for a business entity mechanical license. Submit required documentation, name the responsible master plumber, and pay the business and employee-based fees. (business entity application)
Step 8: Meet Background Check and Review Steps
If you have a felony or dishonesty conviction, submit recent criminal records checks from NH and other states per board requirements. The board reviews all completed applications within 120 days. They will notify you by mail or the OPLC portal.
Step 9: Renew On Time Each Year
Maintain active status and complete required continuing education to avoid penalties.
All steps, forms, and deadlines are determined under Plumbing license New Hampshire rules. Processing times and requirements sometimes change, so always verify at the Mechanical Licensing Board for the latest.
Application Requirements
You must provide specific documentation and meet standards to qualify for a Plumbing license New Hampshire. These requirements vary by license type.
Experience and Age
For a journeyman license, submit proof of apprenticeship completion or at least 600 hours of formal plumbing education. For a master license, you must have held a New Hampshire journeyman license for at least six months. Good character and competence are required, although minimum age is not specified in the statutes. The board collects your Social Security Number for child support enforcement purposes but does not require US citizenship.
Supporting Documents
Applicants must provide apprenticeship or education certificates for journeyman. Master applicants must provide evidence of work history as a NH journeyman and professional references if requested. For business entity licenses, articles of organization, proof of master plumber employment, and a roster of responsible officers are mandatory.
Bond and Insurance
The Plumbing license New Hampshire structure does not mandate a surety bond or require proof of insurance within the official plumbing rules. However, best practice for business entities is to maintain liability coverage for business protection. Check with the board if proof is needed for your situation, as requirements occasionally change.
Background Check
If you have a prior felony or a conviction related to dishonesty, you must submit a recent criminal records check from the NH Department of Safety and any other relevant state. Felony records must be provided to the Mechanical Licensing Board, which will decide eligibility.
Federal Certifications
No federal certifications (such as EPA 608) are required to get or renew your Plumbing license New Hampshire. However, other certifications may be needed for specialized work outside standard plumbing. Always check requirements for specific types of work.
Exams
Plumbing license New Hampshire candidates for journeyman and master levels must pass a board-administered trade examination. The rules do not require a separate law or business exam as the content is combined with trade topics.
Exam Content and Format
Both tests use a multiple-choice format. Journeyman and master exams cover code interpretation, proper installation, venting, drainage, potable water supplies, and New Hampshire-specific statutes and rules. The master exam also tests deeper code knowledge and supervisory responsibilities.
Administration and Passing Score
The Mechanical Licensing Board sets exam policies and may use approved outside testing organizations. All exams are proctored. A passing score is 75 percent for both license types, and no other scoring method is used. The number of questions, time allowed, or specific retake policies are not detailed in the official rules. You should confirm current logistics with the board before scheduling your exam (Plu 100–500 rules).
Fees
New Hampshire sets Plumbing license New Hampshire fees by license type and renewal frequency. All fees below are substantiated by the most recent adopted rules as of August 2023.
Apprentice plumber: Initial application (2 years) $90; Renewal $80 (as of Aug 2023)
Journeyman plumber: Initial or reinstatement $190; Renewal $180 (as of Aug 2023)
Master plumber: Initial or reinstatement $310; Renewal $300 (as of Aug 2023)
Business entity mechanical license: Initial, renewal, or reinstatement $275 (2 years) (as of Aug 2023), plus per-employee fees:
1–5 employees: $190
6–20 employees: $300
21+ renewal: $450; reinstatement $550
Late renewal fee (individual): $25 per month up to 1 year after expiration (as of Aug 2023)
No specific exam or background check fee is stated in the official rules. Bond and insurance costs are not specified; always verify at the fee schedule.
Renewal and Continuing Education for Plumbing license New Hampshire
You must renew a Plumbing license New Hampshire annually to maintain legal status. Renewal involves fees and continuing education for individual licensees.
Renewal Cycle and Deadlines
For all individuals (apprentice, journeyman, master), licenses expire each year on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. Business mechanical/plumbing entity licenses expire every January 31, although some rules refer to a bi-annual term. Verify with the board for your exact deadline if in doubt.
Continuing Education
You must complete a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education through a board-approved seminar provider every two years. The education must cover NH plumbing codes and may include Q&A topics relevant to changes or best practices. You must have held your license at least part of the two-year cycle to be subject to this requirement.
Lapse, Late Renewal, and Reinstatement
If your license expires, you have up to one year to reinstate it by paying the late fee ($25/month) and fulfilling all missed CE requirements. Expired licenses beyond one year must be treated as new applications, requiring you to start over as if unlicensed. You will be ineligible to work or contract during any lapse. For business entities, lapses also require reapplication and full new fees. Full details are published in the Mec 400 rules.
Reciprocity
New Hampshire does not have formal, automatic plumbing licensure reciprocity agreements with any other state. The state’s rules provide that the Mechanical Licensing Board may endorse out-of-state applicants if the originating state’s requirements are substantially similar. However, applicants must provide documentation for board review and may not automatically receive an exam or licensing waiver.
Each application for out-of-state endorsement under the Plumbing license New Hampshire rules is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will need to demonstrate they meet all New Hampshire qualifications, including experience and code familiarity. Review the reciprocity/endorsement rule under Plc 313.34 for more information.
