How to get a Journeyman Plumber license in Maine

Maine plumber licenses

Maine issues 4 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Maine plumber licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required²
A criminal records check is run with the application, and licensees must report convictions to the board within 10 days.⁹

Fees

How to apply

Apply online

www1.maine.gov²

2. Every license level except Journeyman-in-Training

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years²

When it expires

Renews every 2 years from the first licensure date (licenses expire 2 years after issuance).⁶

Renew online

www1.maine.gov²

3. Every license level except Trainee Plumber

Fees

4. Journeyman Plumber and Journeyman-in-Training

Requirements

Exam

Maine Journeyman Plumber examination (PROV, computer-based, closed book)³
Given by: PROV, Inc. (computer-based; test centers in Auburn, Bangor, Calais, Portland and Presque Isle, or remote proctoring)⁹
Passing score: 70%¹⁰
When you can take it: Board approval is required before you schedule with PROV; scores from exams taken without approval are void.¹¹
80 questions, 3 hours, Uniform Plumbing Code and Maine plumbing laws and rules³
Retakes: Failed plumber exams may be retaken as often as needed within the 2-year approval window.³
Time limit: Board approval is valid 2 years; pass within that time and apply for the license within 2 years of passing, or reapply and retake.⁶

5. Journeyman Plumber and Master Plumber

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

Renewal

Renewal fee

$200⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50² (renewed up to 90 days after expiration)
Reinstatement fee: $100² (more than 90 days but not more than 2 years after expiration (plus the $200 license fee; $300 total))

If it expires

Up to 90 days late: renew with a $50 late fee; you are treated as unlicensed from expiry until renewal.¹³
More than 2 years after expiry you must apply as a new applicant and pass the exam again.⁶

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: OPOR asks plumbers with military plumbing training and experience to contact the office before applying for journeyman or master licensure so it can credit that training. Exam is waived for a renewal made within 90 days after honorable separation by someone who lapsed while on active duty (service of 4 years or less).¹⁴

Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license

Installs plumbing and drainage under the employment and direction of a master plumber, or does plumbing repair as a regular part-time occupation; may supervise up to 3 trainees.²

Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Experience

At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training²
At least 2 years and 4,000 hours of plumbing installation work as a licensed trainee under a master plumber.⁸
Supervision: Under a licensed master plumber, documented by the master's affidavit.¹⁵
License you must hold first: Hours must be earned as a licensed trainee (or journeyman-in-training).⁶
Substitute: Journeyman-in-training route: 2,000 hours under a master within 4 years of the JIT license.⁸
Substitute: Out-of-state applicants may qualify for the exam with a 1-year community college plumbing program and/or 2 years and 4,000 hours of licensed experience plus a copy of their license.¹⁵

How to apply

1. Work 2 years / 4,000 hours as a licensed trainee under a master (or 2,000 hours as a journeyman-in-training).²
2. Apply online for the journeyman exam with your master's affidavit of hours; wait for board approval by email.¹¹ www1.maine.gov²
3. Schedule and pass the PROV exam (70%).¹⁶
4. 24 hours after passing, apply online for the license and pay $221.¹⁶

Renewal and continuing education

Trainee Plumber

Assists with plumbing installations under the direct supervision of a journeyman or master plumber; no plumbing work is allowed once no longer employed or supervised by one.⁶

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old⁶

Experience

No experience needed; must be employed by a licensed master plumber (or an entity employing one) and assist them.⁸
Supervision: Direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master; the supervising master signs the application and takes responsibility for the trainee.⁶

Exam

Not required⁷

Also required

Applicants under 18 need a parent or legal guardian signature (student trainee application).¹⁷

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Get hired by a licensed master plumber (or a company employing one) who will supervise you.⁸
2. Apply online through the OPOR licensing portal (paper applications are no longer processed since January 1, 2024) and pay $121 ($100 license + $21 background check).⁹ www1.maine.gov²
3. Start logging hours from your license date; the supervising master provides an affidavit of hours when you apply for the journeyman exam.⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$100²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50² (renewed up to 90 days after expiration)

If it expires

Up to 90 days late: renew with a $50 late fee; you are treated as unlicensed from expiry until renewal.¹³
Trainees more than 90 days late must apply as new applicants.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Journeyman-in-Training

For graduates of a plumbing program who passed the journeyman exam: assists with installations under direct supervision of a journeyman or master while earning the hours for a journeyman license; may not act as a journeyman.²

Requirements

Education or training

At least 1 year⁸
One year (2 semesters) of plumbing at a board-approved technical or community college, or a 2-year secondary career and technical education plumbing program, or a registered Department of Labor apprenticeship program.²
Who may teach it: Board-approved technical or community college, a career and technical education program approved under 20-A M.R.S. §8306-B, or a registered DOL apprenticeship.⁸

How to apply

1. Complete an approved one-year college plumbing program, a 2-year high-school CTE plumbing program or a registered apprenticeship.²
2. Apply online for the journeyman exam and wait for board approval.¹⁹ www1.maine.gov²
3. Pass the journeyman exam with 70% or more at PROV.¹⁹
4. 24 hours after passing, apply online for the journeyman-in-training license.¹⁹
5. After 1 year and 2,000 hours under a master, apply for the journeyman license with your master's affidavit.¹⁹

Renewal

How often

Every 4 years⁸

When it expires

Single non-renewable 4-year license, issued only once.¹⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Master Plumber

Engages in the business of installing plumbing; responsible for licensing and scope of all journeymen, journeymen-in-training and trainees they employ or supervise.²

Requirements

Experience

At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²
At least 1 year and 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman, or at least 4 years and 8,000 hours as a licensed trainee under a master plumber.⁸
License you must hold first: Licensed journeyman (or licensed trainee for the 8,000-hour route).¹⁵
Substitute: Trainee route: 4 years and 8,000 hours as a licensed trainee under a master.²
Substitute: Out-of-state master plumbers may qualify for the exam with 4 years / 8,000 hours of licensed experience and a copy of their master license.¹⁵

Exam

Maine Master Plumber examination (PROV, computer-based, closed book)³
Given by: PROV, Inc. (computer-based; test centers in Auburn, Bangor, Calais, Portland and Presque Isle, or remote proctoring)⁹
Passing score: 75%¹⁰
When you can take it: Board approval is required before you schedule with PROV; scores from exams taken without approval are void.¹¹
100 questions, 3 hours, Uniform Plumbing Code and Maine plumbing laws and rules³
Retakes: Failed plumber exams may be retaken as often as needed within the 2-year approval window.³
Time limit: Board approval is valid 2 years; pass within that time and apply for the license within 2 years of passing, or reapply and retake.⁶

How to apply

1. Get 1 year / 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman (or 4 years / 8,000 hours as a trainee) under a master plumber.²
2. Apply online for the master exam with the master's affidavit of hours; wait for board approval.²⁰ www1.maine.gov²
3. Schedule and pass the PROV master exam (75%).²⁰
4. 24 hours after passing, apply online for the master license and pay $221.²⁰

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Journeyman-in-TrainingMaine plumber licenses are issued only by the state board; municipalities may not require a local plumber license and may issue plumbing permits only to persons who comply with the state licensing law.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in Maine, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Maine is on the Maine license lookup page.

Look up a license

pfr.maine.gov¹⁴

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• 32 M.R.S. §3301 (definitions)
• 32 M.R.S. §3302 (license required; exceptions; no municipal licenses; trainee ratio)
• 32 M.R.S. §3501 (issuance of licenses)
• 32 M.R.S. §3501-A (examinations; passing grades)
• 32 M.R.S. §3501-B
• 32 M.R.S. §3501-C (licensure by endorsement)
• 32 M.R.S. §3504 (renewals, late renewal)
• 32 M.R.S. §3504-A (reciprocity)
• 02-395 CMR ch. 3 (licensing requirements) and ch. 6 (reciprocity)
• 02-041 CMR ch. 10 §5(29)
• 02-041 CMR ch. 11 (late renewals)

Common questions

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