NORTH-DAKOTA · plumber
Journeyman Plumber
North Dakota State Plumbing Board →Scope
North Dakota licenses plumbers at the state level through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 43-18 (Plumbers). The board issues Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumber licenses. Source: ND State Plumbing Board (https://www.ndplumbingboard.gov) and ND Plumbing Board Law and Rules (https://www.ndplumbingboard.gov/about-law-rules).
Experience
A Journeyman Plumber applicant must document approximately 8,000 hours (four years) of practical plumbing experience as a registered apprentice under the supervision of a licensed North Dakota Master or Journeyman Plumber. Hours are counted through the board's apprentice registration program. Source: NDCC 43-18 and ND Administrative Code Title 62 (Plumbing).
Education
Applicants must complete the classroom instruction in plumbing theory, code, and safety required by the board's apprentice program, typically delivered through a North Dakota-approved post-secondary program or a registered apprenticeship such as UA Local 300 (Fargo) or Local 17 (Bismarck).
Exam
Administered by the board or a contracted vendor listed on the ND Plumbing Board licensing page. The exam is based on the plumbing-code edition currently adopted by North Dakota plus North Dakota-specific law and rule. Verify current passing score and exam fees on the board's licensing page before applying.
Reciprocity
North Dakota has plumber reciprocity agreements with neighboring states under NDCC 43-18 and board rule. Historical reciprocal arrangements have existed with states such as Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming, subject to current board policy. Verify the current reciprocity list on the board's licensing page before relying.
Renewal and CE
North Dakota plumber licenses renew annually. Journeyman and Master Plumbers must complete continuing-education hours each renewal, including plumbing-code update instruction, per ND Administrative Code. Verify the current CE structure on the ND Plumbing Board Continuing Education overview (https://www.ndplumbingboard.gov/continuing-education-requirements-overview) before each renewal.
Background Check
The board may require background checks for new applicants under NDCC 43-18 and rule.
Scope Limits
A Journeyman Plumber performs installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems under the supervision of a Master Plumber. The journeyman cannot pull permits in the journeyman's own name; permits are pulled by the licensed plumbing contractor with a Master Plumber of record.
Reciprocity
Accepts from: minnesota, montana, south-dakota, wyoming