How to get a Journeyman Plumber license in North Dakota
North Dakota licenses plumbers statewide through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.1 For the Journeyman Plumber license you need at least 7,600 hours of on-the-job training2, a passing score on the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam (state board exam)3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $50 for the application5 and $100 for the initial license6, each a separate charge. You renew every year1 and complete at least 2 hours of continuing education7.
Who issues it
North Dakota State Plumbing Board
Training and experience
Experience: at least 7,600 hours of on-the-job training2
Exam
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam (state board exam)3
On this page
- North Dakota plumber licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license
- Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license
- How much a Journeyman Plumber license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to North Dakota with a license from another state
- Apprentice Plumber registration
- Master Plumber
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Plumber licenses in other states
North Dakota plumber licenses
North Dakota issues 3 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Training or experience | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber (registration) | Learns and assists in plumbing under the immediate supervision of a master or journeyman; years 1-3 need direct supervision, while apprentices with 5,700 hours (fourth year) may work alone. A master or journeyman may supervise at most five apprentices on a project.2 | Experience 7,600 hours2 | – | $208 |
| Journeyman Plumber | Installs, alters and repairs plumbing as a principal occupation; may run a plumbing business only in cities under 1,000 people and rural areas.1 | Experience 7,600 hours2 | Yes6 | $505 |
| Master Plumber | Plans, supervises and installs, alters and repairs plumbing; a licensed master must be in charge of every plumbing business in locations with public water or sewer systems.1 | Experience 3,400 hours5 | Yes6 | $505 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the North Dakota 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 3)
Requirements
How to apply
- Apply online
- members.ndplumbingboard.gov9
- Application form
- Form (PDF, ndplumbingboard.gov)58
Renewal
- How often
- Every year1
- Renew online
- members.ndplumbingboard.gov10
From another state
- Route
- Military service members and spouses
- What the board says
- The application asks whether the applicant is a military member or a plumbing licensee in another state married to a service member stationed in North Dakota (submit orders and military ID). Under NDCC 43-51-11.1 boards issue military spouses and members a free provisional license or temporary permit, valid up to two years, once requirements are substantially met.58
2. Every license level except Apprentice Plumber (registration)
Requirements
- Business requirements
- A plumbing business in a location with public waterworks or sewerage must have a licensed master plumber in charge of the work at all times; in cities under 1,000 people and rural areas a licensed journeyman may run the business. Advertising as a plumbing contractor requires employing a licensed journeyman or being a licensed master, and ads must carry the license number.4
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $505 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | Not refundable |
| Exam retake fee | $5026 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | Each exam attempt |
| Continuing Education Session fee | $407 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | Board CE session or correspondence course |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
How to apply
- Email the completed application to [email protected] or mail it to the board, or apply online, with the non-refundable $50 application/exam fee.5
- Register for an exam date (exams every other month, mostly in Bismarck) within six months of approval.6
- Temporary or provisional license
- The board may issue a revocable temporary master or journeyman permit on payment of the regular exam fee to someone who shows their qualifications; it runs to December 31 and no one may hold such permits for more than four years.1
Renewal
- When it expires
- Calendar-year license: expires December 31 of the year issued; renew by January 31 to avoid the late fee.11
- Continuing education
- At least 2 hours each renewal period7
- Approved courses
- Credit hours are determined by the board; the board CE session fee is $40, and the board correspondence course is also $40.7
- Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $506 (renewal completed or postmarked on or after February 1)
- If it expires
- The board need not renew a license more than one year after expiry and may require a new exam for a license expired one year or more.11
Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license
Installs, alters and repairs plumbing as a principal occupation; may run a plumbing business only in cities under 1,000 people and rural areas.1
Work that does not need this license:
- A license is required in any location with a public waterworks or sewerage system. No license is needed for plumbing on a home the person owns and lives in (if it meets the board's minimum standards and no local ordinance forbids it), for repair work by full-time maintenance employees on their employer's premises, or for public water system employees installing service lines and meters.2
- Employees of household-appliance dealers need no license when plumbing work is incidental to installing the appliance and could be done by an apprentice.1
- Board FAQ: no plumbing license to rod out drain lines or hook up irrigation sprinkler systems; a license is needed to hook up backflow preventers to the main water supply and to connect to public water systems and sewers (or a Sewer and Water Contractor license); septic tanks and drain fields are licensed by the district health unit.2
Other rules on who may do this work:
- A plumbing business in a location with public waterworks or sewerage must have a licensed master plumber in charge of the work at all times; in cities under 1,000 people and rural areas a licensed journeyman may run the business. Advertising as a plumbing contractor requires employing a licensed journeyman or being a licensed master, and ads must carry the license number.4
Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
- Experience
- At least 7,600 hours of on-the-job training2
Four years and 7,600 hours as a registered apprentice plumber working under a licensed master plumber.5
Supervision: Under a licensed master plumber.6
License you must hold first: Registered apprentice (registration within 30 days of starting; unregistered hours do not count).8 - Exam
- North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam (state board exam)3
Given by: Given by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board itself (no outside vendor named); 2027 sittings in Bismarck most months plus Grand Forks, Minot and Fargo once each.1
When you can take it: After the board approves the application; approved applications are canceled if the applicant does not sit within six months. Exams are given every other month (board page) and need a current ND license or a submitted application.3
Retakes: Wait at least six months after a failed exam; each $50 exam fee covers one exam.6
Exam waived: No exam for holders of qualifying South Dakota, Minnesota or Montana licenses under the written reciprocal agreements.2
How much a Journeyman Plumber license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1006 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | Due upon passing the exam |
How to apply
- Complete the Application for Master or Journeyman Plumber License (SFN 59613), marking Journeyman, with employer statements (notarized, signed by the supervising master) or an out-of-state license letter; reciprocal SD/MN/MT applicants attach a Certificate of Endorsement instead.5 Form (PDF, ndplumbingboard.gov)9
- Pass the exam and pay the journeyman license fee.5
Renewal and continuing education
- Renewal fee
- $10011
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your North Dakota Journeyman Plumber license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to North Dakota with a license from another state
These are the routes the North Dakota State Plumbing Board publishes for the Journeyman Plumber license. The other plumber licenses have their own routes in their sections below.
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- Written reciprocal agreements with South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana: SD journeyman (SD resident) or MN journeyman held at least one year (MN resident) or MT journeyman or master can get a ND journeyman license without exam, with a Certificate of Endorsement.2
- States on North Dakota's list
- South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana2
This is the list of states whose licenses North Dakota accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a North Dakota license. - Condition for South Dakota
- Current South Dakota journeyman license and SD residency.2
- Condition for Minnesota
- Minnesota journeyman license held at least one year, current, and MN residency.2
- Condition for Montana
- Current Montana journeyman or master license (Montana master holders receive a ND journeyman license).2
- Conditions
- Certificate of Endorsement from the licensing state (a copy of the license is not enough); list only the present employer on the employment record.5
Statutory basis: the board may register nonresidents licensed in states with substantially equivalent requirements that grant similar privileges to North Dakota licensees.1
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Licensed journeymans from other states (outside the reciprocal agreements) apply to take the North Dakota journeyman exam, proving their license with a letter from the issuing board stating license type, issue date, whether obtained by exam, licensing requirements and expiry date.5
- Conditions
- The ND exam is still required on this route.6
Apprentice Plumber registration
Learns and assists in plumbing under the immediate supervision of a master or journeyman; years 1-3 need direct supervision, while apprentices with 5,700 hours (fourth year) may work alone. A master or journeyman may supervise at most five apprentices on a project.2
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old6
- Experience
- At least 7,600 hours of on-the-job training2
Apprenticeship term: four years of at least 1,900 hours per year, 7,600 hours total, then eligible for the journeyman exam.6
Supervision: Direct supervision and immediate presence of a master or journeyman, except from 5,700 hours on.6
Substitute: Board credit for previous practical experience; out-of-state experience where licensing is not required must be verified by the master plumber.8 - Also required
- Register within 30 days of starting work; hours worked after that while unregistered do not count.2
- Also required
- A failed journeyman candidate must retake the exam after six months or keep working under direct supervision.6
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee (1st year - 0 to 1900 hours January - March) | $208 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 1st year, registering January-March |
| Initial license fee | $158 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 1st year, registering April-June |
| Initial license fee | $108 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 1st year, registering July-September |
| Initial license fee | $58 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 1st year, registering October-December |
| Registration fee (2nd year - 1901 to 3800 hours) | $308 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 2nd year (1,901-3,800 hours) |
| Registration fee (3rd year - 3801 to 5700 hours) | $408 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 3rd year (3,801-5,700 hours) |
| Registration fee (4th year - 5701 to 7600 hours) | $508 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | 4th year (5,701-7,600 hours) |
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
- Within 30 days of starting work for a master plumber, complete the Application for Apprentice Plumber Registration (SFN 59633); the master plumber signs the employment record.8 Form (PDF, ndplumbingboard.gov)9
- Attach a trade-school transcript or out-of-state experience verification if claiming credit, and send it with the fee for your year to [email protected] or by mail, or apply online.8
- Renew every year by January 31 with hours signed by the master plumber; hours after January 31 do not count until the registration is valid.12
Renewal
- When it expires
- Registration expires December 31 each year; renewal form (signed by the master plumber, with hours) due January 31.1
- Renewal fee
- $20 to $7512 ($20 (1st year), $30 (2nd), $40 (3rd), $50 (4th), $75 (5th, 7,600+ hours))
- If it expires
- Hours worked after January 31 without a renewed registration do not count toward the apprenticeship until the license is valid.12
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Apprentices registered in another state verify their practical experience with a state-endorsed letter and register in North Dakota; hours may be credited by the board.8
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.
Master Plumber
Plans, supervises and installs, alters and repairs plumbing; a licensed master must be in charge of every plumbing business in locations with public water or sewer systems.1
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 21 years old5
- Experience
- At least 3,400 hours of on-the-job training5
Two years (3,400 hours) as a journeyman plumber licensed by North Dakota or another state with a state licensing law.6
License you must hold first: Licensed journeyman plumber (North Dakota or another state with a state licensing law).6 - Exam
- North Dakota Master Plumber Exam (state board exam)3
Given by: Given by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board itself (no outside vendor named); 2027 sittings in Bismarck most months plus Grand Forks, Minot and Fargo once each.1
When you can take it: After the board approves the application; approved applications are canceled if the applicant does not sit within six months. Exams are given every other month (board page) and need a current ND license or a submitted application.3
Retakes: Wait at least six months after a failed exam; each $50 exam fee covers one exam.6
Exam waived: No exam for holders of qualifying South Dakota, Minnesota or Montana licenses under the written reciprocal agreements.2
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $2005 | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | Due upon passing the exam |
How to apply
- Complete the Application for Master or Journeyman Plumber License (SFN 59613), marking Master, with employer statements (notarized, signed by the supervising master) or an out-of-state license letter; reciprocal SD/MN/MT applicants attach a Certificate of Endorsement instead.5 Form (PDF, ndplumbingboard.gov)9
- Pass the exam and pay the master license fee.5
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $20011
- Exemptions
- A master license holder may renew the journeyman license instead and upgrade to master later in the same year by paying the $100 difference.6
From another state
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- Written reciprocal agreements with South Dakota and Minnesota for master licenses: a current SD contractor license, or a MN master license held at least one year, qualifies for a ND master license without exam, with a Certificate of Endorsement. (Montana master holders receive only a ND journeyman license.)2
- States on North Dakota's list
- South Dakota and Minnesota2
This is the list of states whose licenses North Dakota accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a North Dakota license. - Condition for South Dakota
- Current South Dakota contractor license.2
- Condition for Minnesota
- Minnesota master license held at least one year and current.2
- Condition for Montana
- Montana journeyman or master license qualifies only for a ND journeyman license.2
- Conditions
- Certificate of Endorsement from the licensing state (a copy of the license is not enough); list only the present employer on the employment record.5
Statutory basis: the board may register nonresidents licensed in states with substantially equivalent requirements that grant similar privileges to North Dakota licensees.1
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Licensed masters from other states (outside the reciprocal agreements) apply to take the North Dakota master exam, proving their license with a letter from the issuing board stating license type, issue date, whether obtained by exam, licensing requirements and expiry date.5
- Conditions
- The ND exam is still required on this route.6
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
City and county rules
Apprentice Plumber (registration)A state license lets a plumber work anywhere in North Dakota except cities whose ordinances require a municipal license or registration as well. Fargo says plumbers must also be licensed through the City of Fargo (verify with the City Auditor).13
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | Plumbers must be licensed through the City of Fargo in addition to state licensing; licenses can be verified with the City Auditor's Office (701.241.1300).13 | Official page13 |
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a plumber in North Dakota, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in North Dakota is on the North Dakota license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- ndplumbingboard.gov14
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Journeyman Plumber license in North Dakota?
The rules set at least 7,600 hours of on-the-job training2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Can I transfer my plumber license to North Dakota?
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board publishes these routes for the Journeyman Plumber license: reciprocity agreements2 and license by endorsement5. Conditions and forms.
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 Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- N.D. Cent. Code ch. 43-18 PlumbersNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Exam General InfoNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumber LicensureNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Master/Journeyman Plumber ApplicationNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- N.D. Admin. Code ch. 62-02-01 Plumber LicensureNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 7, 2026
- Continuing Education Requirements OverviewNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Apprentice Plumber ApplicationNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Licensing ApplicationsNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- 2026 & 2027 License Renewal FormsNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- 2027 Master/Journeyman Plumber Renewal FormNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- 2027 Apprentice Plumber Renewal FormNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Selecting a ContractorCity of Fargo Inspections DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- License LookupNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026