NEW-HAMPSHIRE · plumber
Journeyman Plumber
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification — Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board →Scope of Work
A New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber is authorized to install, alter, and repair plumbing systems under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber. Contracting for plumbing work and pulling plumbing permits in the Journeyman's own name is not authorized; that requires a Master Plumber license. The Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board, within the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), administers plumber, gas fitter, and related mechanical licenses under RSA 329-A. Source: New Hampshire OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mechanical-safety-and-licensing-board).
Experience and Training
Standard pathway: completion of a 4-year registered apprenticeship totaling 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under supervision of a New Hampshire-licensed Master Plumber, plus 576 hours of related classroom instruction (144 hours per year). Trainee or Apprentice registration with the Board is a prerequisite to counting hours toward Journeyman. Source: New Hampshire OPLC Applications for Mechanical Safety and Licensing (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/applications-mechanical-safety-and-licensing).
Exam
Administered by the Board's designated exam vendor. Content covers the plumbing code currently adopted in New Hampshire, RSA 329-A, and Board rules. Review the current Candidate Information Bulletin before scheduling. Source: New Hampshire OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mechanical-safety-and-licensing-board).
Renewal and CE
2-year renewal cycle. Licensees must show proof of 3 hours of code-update continuing education every year, for a total of 6 hours per 2-year renewal cycle, per Board-published requirements for Master and Journeyman Plumbers, Fuel Gas Fitters, and Domestic Appliance Technicians. Renewal is processed through OPLC's online portal. Source: New Hampshire OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Education and Certification Requirements (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mechanical-safety-and-licensing-education-certification-requirements).
Reciprocity
The Board reviews reciprocal licensing on a case-by-case basis. Applicants licensed in another state by examination should submit a license-verification letter from the originating board and confirm current terms with OPLC. Source: New Hampshire OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mechanical-safety-and-licensing-board).
Union and Non-Union Pathway
Apprenticeship hours may be earned through UA-affiliated Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 131 (Portsmouth area) and Local 788 (Manchester), as well as through non-union programs registered with ABC New Hampshire and PHCC of New Hampshire. Community-college plumbing curricula at Manchester Community College provide the related-instruction hours. Presented neutrally; verify current intake with each program.
Scope Limitations
A Journeyman Plumber may not contract for plumbing work in the Journeyman's own name, pull plumbing permits as the responsible party, or supervise apprentices outside the employer's Master of record. A Master Plumber license is required to contract, permit, and supervise independently in New Hampshire.