OREGON · plumber
Journeyman Plumber (JP)
Oregon Building Codes Division — Plumbing Program →Scope of Work
A Journeyman Plumber (JP) is authorized to install, alter, and repair plumbing systems across residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies in Oregon. The JP works under a BCD-licensed plumbing contractor; Oregon does not currently issue a stand-alone Master Plumber credential at the individual level. Source: Journeyman Plumber (JP) Business Xpress directory (https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/675).
Experience and Training
Certificate of completion from a BCD-registered 4-year plumbing apprenticeship, OR 576 hours of plumbing-related classroom training plus 3,850 commercial and 3,850 residential hours of on-the-job experience (7,700 total). An alternative pathway allows 7,700 commercial and 7,700 residential hours in lieu of classroom training. A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is required. Experience is verified on the BCD plumbing experience verification form. Source: Journeyman Plumber License Application (https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Formslibrary/2571.pdf).
Military Crosswalk
BCD credits verified military plumbing experience under ORS 670.280. Relevant MOS examples include Navy Utilitiesman (UT), Army Plumber (12K), Marine Hygiene Equipment Operator (1171), and Air Force Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (3E4X1). Applicants submit DD-214 and training transcripts with the BCD application.
Exam
Administered by Oregon BCD. The Journeyman Plumber exam is 4 hours, 64 questions, open book, based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) edition currently adopted in Oregon, Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code amendments, and Oregon plumbing law (ORS 693, OAR 918). Core topics include drainage, waste and vent sizing, water supply and distribution, fuel-gas piping, fixtures and appliances, backflow prevention, water heaters, medical gas fundamentals, and Oregon-specific rules. The application fee is $100. Source: Journeyman Plumber (JP) Business Xpress directory (https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/675).
Reciprocity
Oregon has written reciprocal agreements for the JP license with Idaho and Montana. An out-of-state applicant completes the Reciprocal Plumbing License Application, provides a copy of the physical active license from the reciprocal state, submits a license-verification form completed by the reciprocating state agency, and provides an Affidavit of Employment Experience verifying at least 6 months (1,000 hours) of work under the license in the reciprocal state. Source: Oregon BCD Reciprocal Licenses (https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/licensing/pages/reciprocal.aspx).
Renewal and CE
3-year renewal cycle. 24 hours of continuing education per cycle, composed of 4 hours of code change, 4 hours of Oregon rule and law, and 16 hours of code-related content approved by BCD. CE must be completed before renewal is processed. Source: Oregon BCD Plumbing CE (https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/ce/pages/plumbing.aspx).
Scope Limitations
The JP is an individual credential. Contracting for plumbing work in one's own name requires an Oregon CCB contractor license with a journeyman plumber supervisor of record. Medical-gas installation and multipurpose residential fire sprinkler work carry additional Oregon endorsement requirements. Note: Oregon does not currently issue a Master Plumber license; the JP is the highest-tier individual plumbing credential, and contractor-level authority is handled through CCB licensing plus the supervisor-of-record designation.
Reciprocity
Accepts from: ID, MT