RHODE-ISLAND · plumber
Journeyperson Plumber
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training — State Board of Examiners of Plumbers →Scope of Work
A Rhode Island Journeyperson Plumber is authorized to perform plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs under the direction of a licensed Master Plumber. Contracting for plumbing work and pulling plumbing permits in the Journeyperson's own name is not authorized; that requires a Master Plumber license. The State Board of Examiners of Plumbers sits within the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation, under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-20. Source: RI DLT Plumbers License Renewal (https://www.ri.gov/Licensing/renewal/license.php?lic_id=80).
Experience and Training
Standard pathway: completion of a Rhode Island-registered plumbing apprenticeship with 144 hours of related instruction per year for the duration of the apprenticeship (typically 5 years, totaling 10,000 hours of on-the-job experience and 720 classroom hours), under supervision of a Rhode Island Master Plumber. Apprentice registration through the DLT Apprenticeship Division is a prerequisite to counting hours. Source: RI DLT Apprenticeship (https://dlt.ri.gov/workforce-development-services/apprenticeship).
Exam
Administered by the Board's designated exam provider. Content covers the plumbing code currently adopted in Rhode Island (State Building Code SBC-3), R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-20, and Board rules. Source: RI State Building Code Commission (https://www.sbc.ri.gov/).
Renewal and CE
2-year renewal cycle; licenses expire on the licensee's birthdate. Master and Journeyperson Plumbers must complete Mandatory Continuing Education hours approved by the State Board of Examiners for Plumbing. As of the verification date on this page, published Rhode Island DLT guidance cites 7 hours of Board-approved CE per 2-year cycle, though some industry sources report 15 hours; confirm the current CE rule directly with the Division of Professional Regulation before renewing. Licensees must retain CE documentation for 2 renewal cycles. Source: RI DLT Plumbers License Renewal (https://www.ri.gov/Licensing/renewal/license.php?lic_id=80).
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 the Division of Professional Regulation. Source: RI DLT Professional Regulation (https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation).
Master Plumber
To upgrade to Master Plumber, a Rhode Island Journeyperson Plumber must hold the Journeyperson credential for 5 years (10,000 hours as a Journeyperson), pass the Master Plumber exam, and meet Board requirements. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-20.
Union and Non-Union Pathway
Apprenticeship hours may be earned through UA-affiliated Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 51 (Rhode Island) or through non-union programs registered with PHCC of Rhode Island. Community College of Rhode Island provides plumbing coursework. Presented neutrally; verify current intake with each program.
Scope Limitations
A Journeyperson Plumber may not contract for plumbing work in the Journeyperson'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 Rhode Island.