How to get a Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician license in North Carolina

North Carolina plumber licenses

North Carolina issues 8 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 North Carolina 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 8)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required³⁷
No fingerprints required³⁷
Applications ask about criminal charges, convictions, incarceration, probation and parole; a conviction is not an automatic bar and the Board weighs seriousness, date, age, nexus to the work, rehabilitation and a Certificate of Relief.³⁷
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply²

Social Security number

A Social Security number is required and must be verified (Form SSA-89 is part of the application); the Board cannot license someone whose SSN cannot be verified.³⁷

Fees

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

How to apply

Apply online

public.nclicensing.org⁹

Application form

Form (PDF, nclicensing.org)¹⁰

Processing time

About six weeks on average (Board, 2026); the contractor application packet says 4-6 weeks depending on volume.¹

Renewal

How often

Every year⁴

When it expires

Annual: every license expires December 31 and must be renewed in January; there is no grace period, and all licensed activity must stop until the license is renewed.⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $25⁴ (renewal not received correctly by January 31)

If it expires

An expired license may be reinstated within three years by written request and payment of the current fee, the fees for the unpaid years and the processing fee; after three years the Board requires re-examination. Licenses that expired in 2022 or earlier cannot be renewed.⁴

Renew online

public.nclicensing.org⁴

From another state

2. Every license level except Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician and State & Local Government Plumbing Technician

From another state

3. Every license level except Plumbing Contractor, Class I (P-I), Plumbing Contractor, Class II (P-II) and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor (RLP)

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Current or former military members may count military experience (DD-214 plus sworn supervisor statements); military spouses may document out-of-state licensure and experience; the Board must tell a veteran within 30 days if military training does not qualify.¹

4. Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician, Plumbing Technician, Class I (PT-I), Plumbing Technician, Class II (PT-II) and State & Local Government Plumbing Technician

Requirements

Education or training

No required coursework; certificate or diploma courses at a college, university, community college or technical institute in the trade count for up to 50% of the experience.³

Also required

A technician license is not a contracting license: the holder must be a full-time (W-2) employee and sub-licensee of a licensed plumbing contractor to work under or help supervise that contractor's license.⁵

Also required

An applicant convicted of a crime involving fraud or moral turpitude is not considered until at least one year after completing the sentence (except unsupervised probation).³

How to apply

1. Order a nationwide criminal record report from Disahealthcare.com (package code ST46) and print all pages.³
2. When approved, schedule and take the exam within 90 days of the notice.¹
3. Within 45 days of passing, send the License Activation Form with the license fee and the $25 Add Sublicensee form to be listed under the employing contractor (or government/school employer).¹² Form (PDF, nclicensing.org)¹⁰
4. Renew every January (licenses expire December 31).⁴

5. Limited Plumbing Water Heater Replacement Contractor (LWH), Plumbing Contractor, Class I (P-I), Plumbing Contractor, Class II (P-II) and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor (RLP)

Requirements

Business requirements

To contract through a company, the license is listed in the firm's name (Trade Name Change form, $25); at each place of business a licensee in the right classification must be on duty the lesser of 1,500 hours a year or all hours the activities are carried out.²

Also required

A licensee may qualify only one business location and be listed on only one contractor license at a time; the licensee must personally supervise work on site before it is covered or put into service.²

Also required

No contracting under the license before it is renewed each year: the Board says all licensed activity (bidding, contracting, supervising, installing) must stop while a license is expired.⁴

Fees

How to apply

1. Order a nationwide criminal record report from Disahealthcare.com (DISA CB CastleBranch, package code ST46) and print it.⁷
2. Complete the Plumbing, Heating or Fuel Piping Contractor application (Form PHFP-1) with notarized experience forms (1-B, 1-C or 1-D), W-2s/1099s or SSA earnings records, Form SSA-89, and the $150 fee; submit online, by mail to 1109 Dresser Court, Raleigh, NC 27609, or in person.¹ Form (PDF, nclicensing.org)¹⁰
3. When approved, schedule the technical and business-and-law exams with PSI and take them within 90 days, bringing all allowed reference books.¹
4. After passing, send the License Activation Form and the $150 annual license fee within 45 days (half fee if you pass after October 1); add a $25 Trade Name Change or Add Sublicensee form if the license is to be listed with a company.¹² Form (PDF, nclicensing.org)¹⁰
5. Renew every January (licenses expire December 31); pay the $25 processing fee if the renewal is received after January 31.¹³

6. Plumbing Contractor, Class I (P-I), Plumbing Contractor, Class II (P-II) and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor (RLP)

Requirements

Education or training

No required coursework; academic or technical training from a college, university, community college or technical institute directly related to the license may count for up to half of the experience (one approved semester hour = 66.66 hours).⁷

From another state

7. Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician and State & Local Government Plumbing Technician

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Check that you have the required experience (3,000 hours) and the reference books on the Book Reference List.³
2. Complete the Plumbing, Heating or Fuel Piping Technician application with notarized employer statements (one per employer) and mail it with the $150 exam fee, or $30 plus the license fee if qualifying without exam to 1109 Dresser Ct, Raleigh, NC 27609, or apply online.³ Form (PDF, nclicensing.org)¹⁰

Renewal

Renewal fee

$150¹³ (Technician acting as the employer's qualifier)

8. Plumbing Technician, Class I (PT-I) and Plumbing Technician, Class II (PT-II)

Fees

How to apply

1. Complete the Plumbing, Heating or Fuel Piping Technician application with notarized employer statements (one per employer) and mail it with the $150 exam fee to 1109 Dresser Ct, Raleigh, NC 27609, or apply online.³ Form (PDF, nclicensing.org)¹⁰

Renewal

Renewal fee

$75² (Technician listed under a contractor)

9. Plumbing Contractor, Class I (P-I) and Plumbing Contractor, Class II (P-II)

Requirements

Experience

At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training²
2 years (4,000 hours) of full-time on-site experience installing, maintaining, servicing or repairing plumbing systems, whether or not a license was required for the work; part-time work is prorated.²
Supervision: Hands-on experience may be verified by a current or past NC licensee holding the qualification sought (Form 1-B, notarized, with W-2s/1099s), or documented through employment history (Form 1-C) or military service (Form 1-D with DD-214); license not required for the work performed.⁷

How to apply

1. Check you have the required experience (4,000 hours) and buy the reference books on the Board's Book Reference List, including the Board Laws & Rules book and the Business and Project Management book.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$150² (Annual, per contractor license)

From another state

Who needs a Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician license

Plumbing work as an employee of a private educational institution (license listed in the employer's name); not a contracting license.²

Work that does not need this license:

• Work that interrupts the potable water supply and could contaminate it if done badly, or that could create a fire, carbon-monoxide, sewage or gas risk, is not a license-exempt "minor repair".²
• An unlicensed worker who is directly and regularly employed (on payroll, taxes withheld, supervised) by a licensed contractor needs no license; independent contractors and subcontractors are not employees for this purpose.²

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Installing or replacing any water heater needs a plumbing license, unless a property owner does it personally on property not intended or used for sale or rental.²

Requirements for a Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3, group 4 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Experience

At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training²

The board's words

“(b) Applicants for a license as a Private Educational Institution Plumbing or Heating Technician shall present evidence to establish 3000 hours”

Supervision: Experience is verified on notarized employer statements; a verifying NC licensee must hold the qualification being sought.³

Exam

Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician examination (Class I technical + Board laws and rules; no business part)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application, experience forms and background report.³
Plumbing Technician 4.0 hours¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application ($150 per exam).¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; activate within 45 days of passing.¹
Exam waived: No exam for a holder of an active Board plumbing contractor license or exam-based plumbing technician license.²

Renewal and continuing education

Plumbing Technician, Class I (PT-I)

Work on potable water and drain/waste/vent piping as a sub-licensee and full-time employee of a plumbing contractor; not a contracting license.⁵

Requirements

Experience

At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training²
18 months (3,000 hours) of full-time on-site experience installing, maintaining, servicing or repairing plumbing systems, whether or not a license was required.¹
Supervision: Experience is verified on notarized employer statements; a verifying NC licensee must hold the qualification being sought.³

Exam

Plumbing Technician Class I examination (technical + Board laws and rules)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application, experience forms and background report.³
Plumbing Technician 4.0 hours¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application ($150 per exam).¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; activate within 45 days of passing.¹
Exam waived: A contractor who fails only the business portion of the P-I exam but passes the technical portion may request the Class I technician license; a Board contractor licensee seeking the equivalent technician license is exempt from the exam.³

How to apply

1. Check that you have the required experience (3000 hours) and the reference books on the Book Reference List.³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Plumbing Technician, Class II (PT-II)

Work on potable water and drain/waste/vent piping as a sub-licensee of a plumbing contractor; may supervise work in single-family detached dwellings only; not a contracting license.⁵

Requirements

Experience

15 months (2,500 hours) of full-time on-site experience installing, maintaining, servicing or repairing plumbing systems, whether or not a license was required.¹
Supervision: Experience is verified on notarized employer statements; a verifying NC licensee must hold the qualification being sought.³

Exam

Plumbing Technician Class II examination (technical + Board laws and rules)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application, experience forms and background report.³
Plumbing Technician 4.0 hours¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application ($150 per exam).¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; activate within 45 days of passing.¹
Exam waived: A contractor who fails only the business portion of the P-II exam but passes the technical portion may request the Class II technician license; a Board contractor licensee seeking the equivalent technician license is exempt from the exam.³

How to apply

1. Check that you have the required experience (2500 hours) and the reference books on the Book Reference List.³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

State & Local Government Plumbing Technician

Plumbing work as a full-time employee of a State or local government entity (license listed in the employer's name); not a contracting license.²

Requirements

Experience

At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training²

The board's words

“(c) Applicants for a license as a State & Local Government Plumbing or Heating Technician shall present evidence to establish 3000 hours”

Supervision: Experience is verified on notarized employer statements; a verifying NC licensee must hold the qualification being sought.³

Exam

State & Local Government Plumbing Technician examination (Class I technical + Board laws and rules; no business part)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application, experience forms and background report.³
State & Local Government Plumbing Technician 4.0 hours¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application ($150 per exam).¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; activate within 45 days of passing.¹
Exam waived: No exam for a holder of an active Board plumbing contractor license or exam-based plumbing technician license.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3, group 4 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Limited Plumbing Water Heater Replacement Contractor (LWH)

Contract to replace a potable water heater in a single-family detached home, in the same location, with no more than 10 lineal feet of water distribution piping and no new recirculating loop piping.²

Requirements

Education or training

At least 6 clock hours²
Board-approved 6-hour course on NC residential plumbing code, sizing and installation techniques for replacing potable water heaters.²

Prior licensure

At least 2 years²
Must have held a heating or fuel piping technician or contractor license for at least two years, be in good standing with the Board, and complete a Board-approved 6-hour course on NC residential plumbing code requirements, sizing and installation for water heater replacement.²
Supervision: Hands-on experience may be verified by a current or past NC licensee holding the qualification sought (Form 1-B, notarized, with W-2s/1099s), or documented through employment history (Form 1-C) or military service (Form 1-D with DD-214); license not required for the work performed.⁷

Exam

Limited Plumbing Water Heater Replacement Contractor examination (technical + business and law)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After Board staff approve the complete application (experience verified, background report, fee), the candidate is notified and schedules with PSI; the exam must be taken within 90 days of the notification.⁷
Technical part (duration not listed in the Board 2026 exam information sheet)²
Business and Law part (1.5 hours); not required again if you hold an active Board contractor license and passed the Board business and law exam after August 2003¹⁴
Retakes: A failing candidate must wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application with the $150 fee; an exam review in Raleigh may be requested before retesting.¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; after passing, file the License Activation Form and fee within 45 days or retest.¹
Exam waived: South Carolina technical-exam waiver for listed SC licenses (business and law exam still required); a holder of an active NC plumbing technician license obtained by exam may get the contractor license of the same class by passing only the business portion.⁷

How to apply

1. Check you have the required experience (2 years holding a heating or fuel piping license plus the 6-hour course) and buy the reference books on the Board's Book Reference List, including the Board Laws & Rules book and the Business and Project Management book.¹

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.

Plumbing Contractor, Class I (P-I)

Contract and supervise potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in any building (residential, commercial, industrial).⁶

Requirements

Exam

Plumbing Contractor Class I examination (technical + business and law)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After Board staff approve the complete application (experience verified, background report, fee), the candidate is notified and schedules with PSI; the exam must be taken within 90 days of the notification.⁷
Technical part (Plumbing Contractor 4.0 hours)¹⁴
Business and Law part (1.5 hours); not required again if you hold an active Board contractor license and passed the Board business and law exam after August 2003¹⁴
Retakes: A failing candidate must wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application with the $150 fee; an exam review in Raleigh may be requested before retesting.¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; after passing, file the License Activation Form and fee within 45 days or retest.¹
Exam waived: South Carolina technical-exam waiver for listed SC licenses (business and law exam still required); a holder of an active NC plumbing technician license obtained by exam may get the contractor license of the same class by passing only the business portion.⁷

Fees

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5, group 6 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Plumbing Contractor, Class II (P-II)

Contract and supervise potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in single-family detached dwellings only.⁶

Requirements

Exam

Plumbing Contractor Class II examination (technical + business and law)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After Board staff approve the complete application (experience verified, background report, fee), the candidate is notified and schedules with PSI; the exam must be taken within 90 days of the notification.⁷
Technical part (Plumbing Contractor 4.0 hours)¹⁴
Business and Law part (1.5 hours); not required again if you hold an active Board contractor license and passed the Board business and law exam after August 2003¹⁴
Retakes: A failing candidate must wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application with the $150 fee; an exam review in Raleigh may be requested before retesting.¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; after passing, file the License Activation Form and fee within 45 days or retest.¹
Exam waived: South Carolina technical-exam waiver for listed SC licenses (business and law exam still required); a holder of an active NC plumbing technician license obtained by exam may get the contractor license of the same class by passing only the business portion.⁷

Fees

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5, group 6 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor (RLP)

Contract to install, repair or replace exterior building sewer piping, exterior water service piping 2 inches or less, exterior backflow preventers on such piping, and water filtration systems, without holding a full plumbing contractor license.⁶

Requirements

Experience

At least 1,500 hours of on-the-job training²

The board's words

“(j) Applicants for a Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor license shall present evidence at the time of application to establish 1500 hours of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing systems”

Supervision: Hands-on experience may be verified by a current or past NC licensee holding the qualification sought (Form 1-B, notarized, with W-2s/1099s), or documented through employment history (Form 1-C) or military service (Form 1-D with DD-214); license not required for the work performed.⁷

Exam

Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor examination (technical + business and law)²
Given by: PSI⁷
Passing score: 70 out of 100²
When you can take it: After Board staff approve the complete application (experience verified, background report, fee), the candidate is notified and schedules with PSI; the exam must be taken within 90 days of the notification.⁷
Technical part (Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor 2.0 hours)¹⁴
Business and Law part (1.5 hours); not required again if you hold an active Board contractor license and passed the Board business and law exam after August 2003¹⁴
Retakes: A failing candidate must wait 90 days and file a Re-Examination Application with the $150 fee; an exam review in Raleigh may be requested before retesting.¹
Time limit: Take the exam within 90 days of the eligibility notice; after passing, file the License Activation Form and fee within 45 days or retest.¹
Exam waived: South Carolina technical-exam waiver for listed SC licenses (business and law exam still required); a holder of an active NC plumbing technician license obtained by exam may get the contractor license of the same class by passing only the business portion.⁷

Fees

How to apply

1. Check you have the required experience (1,500 hours) and buy the reference books on the Board's Book Reference List, including the Board Laws & Rules book and the Business and Project Management book.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$150²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

public.nclicensing.org⁴

File a complaint

nclicensing.org¹⁰

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• N.C. Gen. Stat. ch. 87, art. 2 (G.S. 87-16 to 87-27.1: plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler contractors)
• 21 NCAC 50 (State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors)
• 21 NCAC 50 .1101 and .1102

Rule changes since January 2024

• June 1, 2026: New Limited Plumbing Water Heater Replacement Contractor classification (21 NCAC 50.0521) took effect.² 21 NCAC 50.1101 amended: the $150 per-exam fee is now stated as a $75 application fee plus a $75 examination fee.²

Common questions

Plumber licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin