North Dakota Plumber Licensing FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about North Dakota’s plumber licensing and continuing education
How to Get a North Dakota Journeyman Plumber License
- Meet the minimum experience requirements:
- Have four years and 7,600 hours of experience as an apprentice working for a licensed master plumber
- Submit a completed application for licensure along with the application & exam fees to the board
- Wait for approval, then take and pass your exam
- Pay the license fee
How to Get a North Dakota Master Plumber License
- Meet the minimum experience requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have two years and 3,400 hours of experience as a licensed journeyman
- Submit a completed application for licensure along with the application & exam fees to the board
- Wait for approval, then take and pass your exam
- Pay the license fee
North Dakota Plumber Renewal Requirements
Renewal Deadline: Licenses expire on December 31st every year
Continuing Education: Master & Journeyman plumbers must complete four hours of continuing education by December 31st of even-numbered years. Apprentices are encouraged to complete the same, although it is not required.
Getting Licensed
Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in North Dakota?
Any person performing plumbing in the state of North Dakota must be licensed with the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.
“Plumbing” means the installation, maintenance, extension, alteration, and removal of all piping, plumbing fixtures, plumbing appliances, and other appurtenances in connection with bringing water into, and using the same in buildings, and for removing liquids and water-carried wastes therefrom.
What are the types of plumbing licenses available in North Dakota?
- Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Master
Does North Dakota have reciprocal licensing with other states?
The board may register, without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants registered under the laws of other states having requirements for regulating plumbers which the board determines are substantially equivalent to the requirements of North Dakota if the other state grants similar privileges to North Dakota licensees.
What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in North Dakota?
Journeyman
- Initial Licensing $150*; includes:
- Application/Exam: $50
- License: $100
- Renewal: $100
Master
- Initial Licensing $250*; includes:
- Application/Exam: $50
- License: $200
- Renewal: $200
*You will pay the exam and application fee prior to taking your exam. The license fee is to be paid after passing your exam.
Renewing a License
When do I need to renew my North Dakota plumbing license?
Licenses expire on December 31st every year.
How do I renew my plumbing license in North Dakota?
Master & Journeyman plumbers must complete four hours of continuing education by December 31st of even-numbered years. Apprentices are encouraged to complete the same, although it is not required.
My North Dakota plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?
If your license has been expired for more than one year you will be required to submit to a new examination.
How do I get my journeyman plumbing license in North Dakota?
- Meet the minimum experience requirements:
- Have four years and 7,600 hours of experience as an apprentice working for a licensed master plumber
- Submit a completed application for licensure along with the application & exam fees to the board
- Wait for approval, then take and pass your exam
- Pay the license fee
What fees are associated with becoming a journeyman plumber in North Dakota?
- Initial Licensing $150*; includes:
- Application/Exam: $50
- License: $100
- Renewal: $100
*You will pay the exam and application fee prior to taking your exam. The license fee is to be paid after passing your exam.
What can I expect from the North Dakota journeyman plumbing exam?
The exam consists of five parts. 75% or better is required to pass.
Parts one and two are closed book and contain 100 multiple choice questions; and a drain, waste and vent pipe sizing completion.
Parts three, four and five are open book and contain 40 completion questions; a water pipe sizing completion; and a drain, waste and vent with fixture units completion.
Five hours are allowed to complete the exam.
You will need to bring your 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and a calculator to the exam.
Cell phones are not allowed to be used during the exam.
What does your journeyman plumber exam prep cover?
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply & Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors and Separators
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
Where can I take the North Dakota journeyman plumber exam?
Exams operate on a year by year schedule. View the exam schedule here.
Locations are as follows:
- Bismarck
- Fargo
- Grand Forks
- Minot
What happens if I fail my exam?
If an exam is failed a six month waiting period is required to re-test.
How do I get my master plumbing license in North Dakota?
- Meet the minimum experience requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have two years and 3,400 hours of experience as a licensed journeyman
- Submit a completed application for licensure along with the application & exam fees to the board
- Wait for approval, then take and pass your exam
- Pay the license fee
What fees are associated with becoming a master plumber in North Dakota?
- Initial Licensing $250*; includes:
- Application/Exam: $50
- License: $200
- Renewal: $200
*You will pay the exam and application fee prior to taking your exam. The license fee is to be paid after passing your exam.
What can I expect from the North Dakota master plumbing exam?
The exam consists of four parts. 80% or better is required to pass.
Part one is closed book and contains 100 multiple choice questions.
Parts two, three and four are open book and contain 40 completion questions; a water pipe sizing completion; and a drain, waste and vent with fixture units completion.
Five hours are allowed to complete the exam. You will need to bring your 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and a calculator to the exam.
Cell phones are not allowed to be used during the exam.
What can I expect from your North Dakota master plumber exam prep?
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply & Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors and Separators
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
Where can I take the North Dakota master plumber exam?
Exams operate on a year by year schedule. View the exam schedule here.
Locations are as follows:
- Bismarck
- Fargo
- Grand Forks
- Minot
What happens if I fail my exam?
If an exam is failed a six month waiting period is required to re-test.
What continuing education is required to renew my North Dakota plumber license?
Master & Journeyman plumbers must complete four hours of continuing education by December 31st of even-numbered years. Apprentices are encouraged to complete the same, although it is not required.
Who submits my North Dakota plumbing continuing education course completions to the state?
We will submit your course completion for you.
Are your continuing education courses approved for credit in the state of North Dakota?
Yes, our courses are approved for plumbing continuing education in North Dakota.
North Dakota State Plumbing Board
1110 College Drive Suite 210
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 328-9977
https://ndplumbingboard.com/
Exam scheduling is handled through the Board.
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.