Alaska Plumber Licensing FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about Alaska’s plumber licensing and continuing education
How to Get an Alaska Journeyman Plumber License
- Have at least 8,000 hours of legally obtained work experience in the installation of commercial/residential plumbing
- Up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom hours may be substituted
- No maintenance hours will be accepted
- Complete and submit an application and $50 application fee
- Study for and pass your exam
- Upon passing & approval pay $200 licensing fee
How to Get an Alaska Restricted Plumbing License
- Have worked at least
- For PG (Gas): 4,000 hours in the trade
- For PU (Utility): 1,000 hours in the installation of water, sewer or storm lines
- Complete and submit an application and $50 application fee
- Study for and pass your exam
- Upon passing & approval pay $200 licensing fee
Alaska Plumber Renewal Requirements
Renewal Deadline: Every 2 years on the anniversary of initial licensure
Continuing Education: Journeyman plumbers are required to complete 16 hours every two years:
- 8 hours on UPC
- 8 hours in industry related subjects
Getting Licensed
Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Alaska?
Individuals must be licensed to perform any type of plumbing work without a licensed supervisor. Trainees must also be registered to work under a licensed journeyman with direct supervision.
What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Alaska?
- Trainee Applicant – allowed to perform work under the training and direct supervision of an experienced journeyman
- Journeyman Plumber – performs plumbing work in the installation, removal, alteration, or repair of plumbing and drainage systems (within the property lines of the premises)
- Restricted Plumber PG (gas) – authorized to install fuel and gas piping within property lines of the premises
- Restricted Plumber PU (utility) – authorized to install plumbing for public utilities
See Alaska Statutes and Regulations for further details.
What fees are associated with becoming a journeyman plumber in Alaska?
- Application/Test: $50
- Licensing fee:
- Trainee Applicants only: $250
- All others: $200
- Renewal fee: $200
- Late fee: $50 plus prorated application fee
Renewing a License
When do I need to renew my Alaska plumbing license?
Certificates of Fitness for Alaska plumbers expire every 2 years on the anniversary of initial licensure.
How do I renew my plumbing license in Alaska?
Certificates of Fitness for plumbers are valid for two years from the date of initial licensure. To renew you must:
- Complete any necessary continuing education
- Complete and submit an application for certificate of fitness
- Pay the required fees
Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Alaska?
Yes, journeyman plumbers in Alaska are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education each 24 month renewal cycle
- 8 hours must be on the Uniform Plumbing Code
- 8 hours must be in industry related subjects
My Alaska plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?
If the certificate has been expired for more than 90 days but less than two years, you must pay the application fee plus the prorated amount of time remaining until expiration.
If your license has expired more than 2 years, you may not renew, and must re-apply and re-test.
How do I get my journeyman plumbing license in Alaska?
- Have at least 8,000 hours of legally obtained work experience in the installation of commercial/residential plumbing
- Up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom hours may be substituted
- No maintenance hours will be accepted
- Complete and submit an application and $50 application fee
- Study for and pass your exam
- Upon passing & approval pay $200 licensing fee
What fees are associated with becoming a journeyman plumber in Alaska?
- Application/Test: $50
- Licensing fee: $200
- Renewal fee: $200
- Late fee: $50 plus prorated application fee
What can I expect from the Alaska journeyman plumbing exam?
There is a 4 hour time limit.
70% is required to pass.
The exam is based off the Uniform Plumbing Code 2018, and the exam will be both closed and open book.
What does your journeyman plumber exam prep cover?
- Comprehensive Code Review
- Hands-On Copper Projects
- Plumbing Math
- Isometrics
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors, and Separators
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
Where can I take the Alaska journeyman plumber exam?
- Anchorage
- Fairbanks
- Juneau
How do I know if I passed the Alaska journeyman plumber exam?
Exams are graded in Anchorage. The department requests you wait 5-7 working days to contact your office for results if you took the exam anywhere but in Anchorage.
What happens if I fail my exam?
You must wait 30 days to retest.
How do I get my restricted plumbing license (PG) in Alaska?
- Have worked at least 4,000 hours in the trade
- Minimum of 2,000 hours must be in the installation of fuel gas piping
- May substitute 2,000 hours of commercial/industrial plumbing installation
- Up to 500 hours of trade-related classroom hours may be substituted for installation experience
- No maintenance hours will be accepted
- Complete and submit an application and $50 application fee
- Study for and pass your exam
- Upon passing & approval pay $200 licensing fee
How do I get my restricted plumbing license (PU) in Alaska?
- Have worked at least 1,000 hours in the installation of water, sewer, or storm lines
- Up to 125 hours of trade-related classroom hours may be substituted
- Complete and submit an application and $50 application fee
- Study for and pass your exam
- Upon passing & approval pay $200 licensing fee
What fees are associated with becoming a restricted plumber in Alaska?
- Application/Test: $50
- Licensing fee: $200
- Renewal fee: $200
- Late fee: $50 plus prorated application fee
What can I expect from the Alaska restricted plumbing (PG) exam?
There is a 4 hour time limit.
70% is required to pass.
The exam is based off the Uniform Plumbing Code 2018, and the exam will be both closed and open book.
What can I expect from the Alaska restricted plumbing (PU) exam?
There is a 4 hour time limit.
70% is required to pass.
The exam is based off the Uniform Plumbing Code 2018 and the CFR’s 19.26 Subpart P. The exam will be open book.
What can I expect from your Alaska restricted plumber exam prep?
- Comprehensive Code Review
- Hands-On Copper Projects
- Plumbing Math
- Isometrics
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors, and Separators
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
Where can I take the Alaska restricted plumber exam?
- Anchorage
- Fairbanks
- Juneau
How do I know if I passed the Alaska restricted plumber exams?
- Exams are graded in Anchorage. The department requests you wait 5-7 working days to contact your office for results if you took the exam anywhere but in Anchorage.
What happens if I fail my exam?
You must wait 30 days to retest.
What continuing education is required to renew my Alaska journeyman plumber license?
Alaska journeyman plumbers must complete at least 16 hours of continuing education each 24 month renewal cycle.
- Minimum of 8 hours must include a comprehensive general code course on the Uniform Plumbing Code.
- 8 hours must be in industry related subjects.
Who submits my Alaska plumbing continuing education course completions to the state?
The state of Alaska requires the license holder to submit their own course completion.
Are your continuing education courses approved for credit in the state of Alaska?
Yes, we are an approved continuing education sponsor in Alaska.
Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Labor Standards and Safety Division
Mechanical Inspection
1251 Muldoon Road, Suite 113
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Phone: (907) 269-4925
Fax: (907) 269-4932
mi@alaska.gov
https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/mihome.htm
Exams are administered by the Mechanical Inspection office, call the number above to schedule your exam.
Once I order the course, how long before I can start?
You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you’ve entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!
Once I start an online course, will I be able to start and stop at any time?
Our courses are available online 24/7 and you are able to log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10-15 minutes, simply log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.
How long do your continuing education courses take to complete?
Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.
How long do your exam prep courses take to complete?
This question really depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you get to go at your own pace! Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, some like to just re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is for you to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!
How long do I have the courses?
We allow up to 6 months for you to complete the courses. During the six months you have unlimited, 24/7 access. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).
Are there tests in the courses?
This varies depending on whether the course is continuing education or exam prep.
There are no quizzes for continuing education courses in Michigan. All other states with continuing education require quizzes to check completion progress.
In exam prep courses there will be a short quiz at the end of each lesson and there is also a longer practice test at the end of each course. These quizzes and tests will help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to study more.
If I fail a practice test, do I have to take it again?
Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don’t pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.
Once I complete a course, can I still go back and review the lessons and quizzes?
You are able to review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you’ll have access to the courses.