ALASKA · plumber
Plumber Journeyman Certificate of Fitness
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety, Mechanical Inspection Section →Scope of Work
Alaska issues an individual Plumber Journeyman Certificate of Fitness under 8 AAC 90.130. The Certificate of Fitness is the individual credential required to perform plumbing work in Alaska under the Uniform Plumbing Code edition adopted by the state. Source: Electrical and Plumbing Certificate of Fitness Application (https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof/COF_Application_ELECRICAL-PLUMBING.pdf).
Two-Track Regulation
Alaska regulates plumbing and mechanical work through two separate credentials. (1) The Plumber Journeyman Certificate of Fitness (the individual Worker credential) is issued by the Department of Labor's Mechanical Inspection Section. (2) The Mechanical Administrator license (the supervisory license that a contracting firm must have in its employ) is issued by the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing under AS 08.40. Mechanical Administrator categories include Residential Plumbing and Hydronic Heating (RPHH), Unlimited Commercial and Industrial Plumbing (UCIP), and others. Source: Alaska Mechanical Administrators (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/MechanicalAdministrators.aspx).
Experience and Training
8,000 hours of experience verification is required per 8 AAC 90.130 and 8 AAC 90.890. Experience must be verified on the Experience Verification Form (https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof/COF_Application_EVF.pdf). Alaska also issues Plumber Restricted Gas (4,000 hours under 8 AAC 90.135) and Plumber Restricted Utility (1,000 hours under 8 AAC 90.137) as limited-scope credentials.
Exam
An examination administered by the Mechanical Inspection Section is required. The exam is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code edition currently adopted by Alaska. Verify the current exam bulletin through the Mechanical Inspection Forms and Publications page (https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/miforms.htm) before scheduling.
Trainees and Apprentices
Individuals who do not yet meet the 8,000-hour requirement may apply as Trainees under the Trainee Application (https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof/COF_Application_TRAINEE.pdf). Trainees work under the direct supervision of a Certificate of Fitness holder.
Reciprocity
Alaska accepts reciprocal and provisional applications on a case-by-case basis; the updated Reciprocal and Provisional Application is available at https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof/COF_Application_RECIPROCAL-PROVISIONAL.pdf. Reciprocity depends on the licensing terms of the applicant's home state.
Fees
The application fee is $50 (non-refundable) and the certificate fee is $200, for a total of $250. The certificate fee is not charged until testing is completed.
Renewal Cycle
Certificates are issued for a two-year term. Renewal is through the Renewal Application (https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof/COF_Application_RENEWAL.pdf) and requires evidence of continuing education in the continuing code cycle; the current CE requirement is published on the Mechanical Inspection Forms and Publications page.
Residential Energy Code
Alaska winters drive strict residential building envelope and mechanical ventilation requirements. Contractors performing residential plumbing work should verify compliance with the current Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES) administered by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (https://www.ahfc.us/) where the project falls within BEES scope.