Quick Reference Table
License Type | Details |
|---|---|
Regulating Agency | North Dakota State Plumbing Board (https://www.ndplumbingboard.gov/) |
Classifications | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Plumber, Sewer & Water Contractor, Sewer & Water Installer, Installer Apprentice |
Experience Requirements | Apprentice: 4 years / 7,600 hours for Journeyman. Journeyman: 2 years / 3,400 hours for Master. |
Exam Required | Yes. Board-administered. Passing: Sewer & Water Installer 70%, Contractor 80%. Verify Master/Journeyman at official site. |
Renewal & CE | Plumbers: 2-4 hours CE every 2 years. Sewer & Water: Annual renewal (July 1-June 30), CE not specified. |
Fees | Installer exam: $25, Contractor exam: $100. Renewal Installer: up to $25, Contractor: up to $100. Apprentice free 2 years. Others: verify at NDCC fee schedule. |
Primary Links | Board Home | Apply | Renew | Lookup | Forms & Exams |
Who Needs a License in North Dakota?
Most importantly, you need a plumbing license in North Dakota if you want to perform, supervise, or contract plumbing work where there is a public water or sewer system. Above all, plumbing work includes installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing and drainage systems in both residential and commercial properties, if connected to a public system.
North Dakota law (NDCC chapter 43-18) requires that any person working as a plumber in areas served by a municipal water or sewer must hold a license issued by the State Plumbing Board. Most cities and towns will require this credential for all jobs except for very minor repairs, which may still fall under Board jurisdiction. For contracting in general (not just plumbing), any single project over $4,000 also triggers contractor licensing with the Secretary of State, but this is separate from a plumbing license.
There are narrow exemptions. A full-time employee of a building, such as a facility maintenance worker, may perform plumbing if not connected to a public system and if they comply with code requirements. Similarly, homeowners may work on plumbing in their own occupied home, if it is not connected to a public utility. However, you need to check specific local rules before commencing any work, as penalties for unlicensed plumbing are enforced statewide.
The Board distinguishes among employees (who must usually be supervised by a Master Plumber) and contractors or independent operators (who must themselves be licensed at the appropriate level). A plumbing contractor must employ at least one Master Plumber, except in small towns or rural areas (cities under 1,000), where a Journeyman may supervise.
Plumbing License Types
In North Dakota, several license classifications exist, each allowing a different scope of plumbing or sewer and water work. Understanding these license types is crucial to meeting Plumbing license requirements in North Dakota.
Apprentice Plumber: Entry-level status. Apprentices work under the direction of a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber. You must register as an apprentice within 30 days of hire. No unsupervised work is allowed.
Journeyman Plumber: After completing apprenticeship hours, a Journeyman may perform plumbing tasks but must generally work under the supervision of a Master Plumber. In areas with less than 1,000 population, a Journeyman can supervise fewer employees in the absence of a Master.
Master Plumber: The highest classification. A Master Plumber can contract for plumbing work, supervise other plumbers, and is typically required to be on staff for any plumbing company operating in the state. They are responsible for code compliance and signing off on work.
Sewer and Water Installer Apprentice: This is apprentice status for those installing only water and sewer services (lines from building to city main). You must have two years' experience before becoming a licensed Installer.
Sewer and Water Installer: May install or repair building sewer and water services. You must work under the direction of a Contractor or Master Plumber.
Sewer and Water Contractor: Can contract, supervise, plan, manage, install, and repair building sewer and water service lines. Requires experience as an Installer.
There are defined steps to move from apprentice to journeyman to master. No regulatory references were found for combining classifications, but most contracting businesses require the Master level for job supervision and compliance.
How to Get Licensed in North Dakota
Step 1: Determine the Appropriate License
To meet Plumbing license requirements in North Dakota, decide if you need an Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, Sewer & Water Installer Apprentice, Installer, or Contractor license. Your work history and intended project type will dictate this step.
Step 2: Meet Experience and Age Requirements
For an Apprentice Plumber, you must be at least 18. Journeymen need 4 years and 7,600 hours as apprentice. Master Plumber applicants must be 21 and have at least 2 years (3,400 hours) as a licensed Journeyman. Sewer & Water Installer and Contractor also require in-state experience as outlined above.
Step 3: Register and Submit Your Application
Start your application through the Board online portal (apply here). Complete the required forms. Application forms and instructions are available on the Board site. Be prepared to provide supporting evidence, like affidavits from employers who can verify your hours.
Step 4: Schedule and Take the Exam
After your application has been approved, schedule the licensing exam via the Board online system. Requirements for passing, exam content, and available dates can be found on the Board's “Schedule an Exam” page.
Step 5: Pay License and Exam Fees
Pay applicable fees at the time of application or prior to sitting for the exam. Confirm amounts with the latest fee schedule on the official site. Plumbing exam and license fees cannot exceed limits set in state law.
Step 6: Pass the Exam
Demonstrate minimum competency by scoring at or above the required passing grade (installer 70%, contractor 80%, others: check Board rules).
Step 7: Receive and Maintain Your License
After passing and paying, the Board will issue your ND plumbing license. You must comply with all renewal and continuing education requirements to keep your license in good standing.
Applications and exam scheduling are available entirely online. The Board has not published standard processing timeframes, nor are any background checks or fingerprinting currently required for any plumbing license. Always check the official Board site for updates before you begin.
Application Requirements
To comply with Plumbing license requirements in North Dakota, you must satisfy the following eligibility standards and supply specified documentation when you apply as an apprentice, journeyman, master, or sewer/water license holder.
Experience and Age
For an Apprentice Plumber, you must be at least 18 years old and register as an apprentice within 30 days of starting employment. For the Journeyman exam, you need a minimum of 4 years and 7,600 hours under direct supervision of a licensed plumber in North Dakota. To sit for the Master plumber exam, you must be at least 21 and show proof of 2 years (3,400 hours) experience as a licensed Journeyman plumber.
Sewer and Water Installer Apprentices must complete two years as an apprentice before qualifying for Installer. To become a Sewer and Water Contractor, you need at least one year of experience as an Installer, all in North Dakota.
Supporting Documents
Application forms require detailed employment verification. The Board asks for affidavits or supervisor statements verifying your experience and the hours worked. These must be submitted as part of your application process. Details on exact forms are on the Board site, but no specific form numbers have been referenced.
Bond, Insurance, and Background Checks
No bond, general liability insurance, or workers compensation is required for state plumbing licensure itself. However, if you perform general contracting over $4,000, you may need liability insurance for a separate Secretary of State contractor license, verify at SOS contractor site. The Board does not require background checks, fingerprinting, or federal certifications for plumbers. Always confirm with project owners or local building departments if further documentation is needed for a specific bid.
Exams
To satisfy Plumbing license requirements in North Dakota, nearly all classifications require you to pass an exam scheduled and administered by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. Exam content and requirements depend on license type.
Exam Requirement Overview
Master & Journeyman Plumber: Must take and pass a state exam. The Board designs, administers, and schedules these exams directly. The specific passing score is not published for these tests; verify with the Board before applying.
Sewer and Water Contractor: Exam required. The passing grade is 80%. The exam covers North Dakota plumbing code and pipe laying safety code.
Sewer and Water Installer: Installer applicants must pass an exam with at least a 70% score. Content is similar: code compliance plus installation safety.
Exam Administration Details
Unlike some states, there is no mention of a separate "Business/Law" exam or an external provider. Exams are offered by the Board, most often at scheduled physical locations, not online. After submitting your application, you schedule your test through the Board’s "Schedule an Exam" portal.
After failing the Sewer & Water exams, you must wait three months before retaking that exam. After failing the Master or Journeyman plumber exams, a six-month waiting period is imposed before you can retest. The Board does not specify question count, time limits, or whether exams are open book. You must check the most recent info and policies directly at the official exam portal.
Fees
Fees are an important part of Plumbing license requirements in North Dakota. All exam and license application fees are determined and capped by state law, but actual fee amounts may vary by license class and year. Below is a summary of every published fee as of 2026, based on official Board documentation.
Sewer & Water Contractor exam fee: $100 initial, $50 re-examination (as of 2026 – verify at Board site).
Sewer & Water Installer exam fee: $25 initial, $10 re-examination (as of 2026 – verify at Board site).
Sewer & Water Contractor: renewal fee up to $100 annually (as of 2026 – Board site).
Sewer & Water Installer: renewal fee up to $25 annually (as of 2026 – Board site).
Installer Apprentice: no fee for first two years, renewable annually (as of 2026 – Board site).
Plumber license application, renewal, and late fees: capped at $100 each, but actual dollar values for application and renewal were not published as of this writing. See NDCC Title 43 for statutory max rates.
No bond or insurance fees, and no specified Master/Journeyman exam or license fees were available as of June 2026. Always refer to the Plumbing Board fee schedule for current rates.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Renewal and continuing education are core parts of Plumbing license requirements in North Dakota. The required renewal period, number of CE hours, and the consequences for late renewal differ depending on your license classification.
Renewal Deadlines and Cycle
Sewer and Water Contractor and Installer licenses must be renewed annually. The renewal cycle is from July 1 through June 30 each year. Plumber licenses (apprentice, journeyman, master) have a two-year renewal cycle tied to continuing education completion. The Board does not publish late penalties beyond the $100 statutory maximum.
Continuing Education Requirements
Journeyman and Master plumbers must complete at least 2–4 credit hours of Board-approved continuing education every two years. While the Board does not specify topics in publicly available resources, CE probably covers code updates, safety, and best practices. Approved provider lists and detailed topics are not published online. Always verify requirements before registering for any class.
Lapsed Licenses
If your Sewer & Water license is expired for less than 1 year, you may renew by paying the current renewal fee. If it has been expired for 1 year or longer, you will need to reapply and retake the appropriate Board exam. Similar consequences will likely apply to other licenses, but always check the latest Board policies.
Reciprocity
North Dakota does recognize formal reciprocity for plumbing licenses with South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana. This can allow licensed plumbers or contractors from these states to become licensed in North Dakota without retaking the state’s trade exam.
To qualify for reciprocity, you must submit a Certificate of Endorsement from your home state agency, which must include information about your current license type, date of issuance, exam history, and license status. If granted, the North Dakota State Plumbing Board may waive the exam requirement and grant a North Dakota license.
Endorsement and reciprocity are not available from other states as of 2026, and no automatic license recognition exists for those states. Always verify your eligibility and documentation with the Board before submitting an application under reciprocity rules.
Official Links
You can also find additional plumbing business resources on the CloseCrew resources page or browse our complete plumbing licensing hub.
