Journeyman plumber requirements by state

What the numbers show

24 states on this site issue a journeyman-level plumber license. 9 of them write the experience in hours, and the most common figure is 8,000 hours, which 4 states use; at the site's 2,000-hours-a-year convention that is 4 full-time years. The rest state years, and a few state neither on the page read. 24 of the 24 require an exam for the journeyman level.

5 states print a classroom requirement, from 48 hours (Texas) to 600 hours (New Hampshire). Others count trade school or apprenticeship credit inside the experience figure or leave it to board rules. 11 print a dollar figure for the journeyman application, exam or license; the others leave fees to a separate schedule.

State by state

Alabama, Journeyman plumber (2 years from the start). Two years as a registered apprentice, or a board-approved apprentice training program combined with registered apprentice time totalling two years; then the board's journeyman exam. Fees are due within 90 days of passing.

Connecticut, Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber. Completion of a registered apprenticeship program or equivalent experience and training. The DCP page states no hour count for the P-2.

Georgia, Journeyman Plumber (3 years from the start). At least three years of qualifying experience.

Hawaii, Journey worker plumber (5 years from the start). Five years and not less than 10,000 hours of plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code, then the UPC exam through PSI.

Illinois, Licensed Plumber (4 years from the start). At least a 2-year high school course of study or equivalent, and employment as an Illinois licensed apprentice plumber under supervision for at least 4 years before applying (or an approved course of instruction supervised by an Illinois licensed plumber). Apply at least 30 days before the exam. 225 ILCS 320/10.

Indiana, Journeyman plumber (4 years from the start). At least 18, and four years in an apprenticeship program, or four years of plumbing-trade experience shown by employer affidavit, or a plumbing license from another state. The commission approves eligibility before the exam is booked with PROV; the exam may be taken seven times within two years.

Iowa, Journeyperson (plumbing) (4 years from the start). Evidence of at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice, then the state journeyperson licensing exam in the plumbing discipline.

Kentucky, Journeyman plumber (2 years from the start). At least two consecutive years of experience as an apprentice plumber, or a department-approved course plus at least one year as an apprentice. Exam pass mark 75% on each portion.

Louisiana, Journeyman plumber (3.5 years from the start). 7,000 hours of supervised manual plumbing labor as an indentured apprentice in an approved training program (8,000 hours if not indentured). Written exam of 80 questions in three hours on the 2021 IPC and IRC, plus a one-hour practical.

Maine, Journeyman Plumber (2 years from the start). At least 2 years with 4,000 hours of work in plumbing installations as a licensed trainee plumber under a master plumber, and a passing grade on the journeyman's examination. § 3501(2)(A).

Maryland, Journey plumber (4 years from the start). An apprentice plumber license held for at least four years (or an equivalent out-of-state license) and at least 7,500 hours of training under a licensed master plumber during that time; the board may count up to 1,500 hours of approved school study toward the 7,500.

Massachusetts, Journeyman Plumber (4 years from the start). No less than 6,800 clock hours as a licensed apprentice and 550 clock hours of plumbing and gas fitting theory taken over no less than four years (at most 165 education hours credited per calendar year). 248 CMR 11.02(1).

Michigan, Journey Plumber (3 years from the start). At least 6,000 hours of experience over at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber under a master plumber, and the board exam; at least 18 years old. MCL 339.6115.

Minnesota, Journeyworker plumber (4 years from the start). Four years of practical plumbing experience as a registered apprentice or unlicensed individual makes a person eligible for the journeyworker plumbing exam; up to 24 months of plumbing experience from the 12 months before registering can count toward the four years.

Montana, Journeyman plumber (5 years from the start). A specific record of five years of legally obtained plumbing experience and a written exam prescribed by the board.

New Hampshire, Journeyman Plumber (4 years from the start). Mec 305.01(b): a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship completion certificate, proof of at least 600 hours of educational training and at least 8,000 working hours of on-the-job experience; the journeyman exam is passed by answering at least 70% of questions correctly.

North Dakota, Journeyman plumber. Found qualified by the board's examination as a person whose principal occupation is the practical installation, alteration and repair of plumbing. The chapter sets no years or hours.

Oklahoma, Plumbing journeyman (3 years from the start). At least 18, and three years of experience in the plumbing trade while employed by a licensed plumbing contractor (or three years of military plumbing experience, or a current out-of-state license). A 1,000-hour approved plumbing program can replace two years, a 500-hour program one year. Exam with a third-party vendor after approval.

Oregon, Journeyman plumber. Shown by written exam to be fit, competent and qualified as a journeyman plumber, and meets the board's rules under ORS 455.117. The statute leaves experience to those rules and the apprenticeship statutes and states no hours.

Rhode Island, Journeyperson Plumber (4 years from the start). Registered as an apprentice for at least four years, 8,000 hours of on-the-job training during a five-year period and 576 hours of related instruction (up to 144 classroom hours may be credited). § 5-20-17. Other routes include two years of plumbing or sanitary engineering study, or a valid out-of-state journeyperson license with equivalent requirements.

Texas, Journeyman Plumber (4 years from the start). At least 8,000 hours of experience in the plumbing trade and a 48-hour TSBPE-approved training course (or a U.S. Department of Labor approved program). Holders of a journeyman or master license from another state skip the 48-hour course.

Vermont, Journeyman Plumber. A plumbing apprenticeship with both instruction and practice, verified by the Vermont Apprenticeship Council, or equivalent training and experience acceptable to the Board, and an examination. No hour count is stated. 26 V.S.A. § 2192.

Virginia, Journeyman Plumber Tradesman (4 years from the start). One of seven education and experience pairings: 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade with four years of practical experience (the route used for the time shown here); 160 hours with five years; 80 hours with six years; 40 hours with seven years; no formal training with eight years; an associate degree or two-year certificate with two years; or a bachelor's degree in a related engineering curriculum with one year. Then the board-approved exam.

Washington, Journey level plumber (4 years from the start). 8,000 hours and not less than four years of documented training, with 4,000 hours of commercial work under a certified journey level plumber; before testing, 16 hours of continuing education including at least 4 hours of industry-related electrical training. Then the certification exam.

States with no journeyman level on this site

California (C-36 Plumbing Contractor), Florida (Certified Plumbing Contractor), Ohio (Plumbing Contractor (commercial)), North Carolina (Plumbing Contractor, Class I), Arizona (Plumbing contractor (C-37, R-37, CR-37)), Delaware (Master plumber), Nevada (Classification C contractor, plumbing subclassification), South Carolina (Mechanical contractor, Plumbing classification), Tennessee (Contractor license, plumbing classification): the sources read for these states license the contracting business or a single level, so there is no separate journeyman step to list.

Every level, from apprentice to master: Plumber license requirements by state · how long the path to master takes · license renewal rules.

General information from the state sources on 2026-10-21, not legal advice. Verify with the state board before applying.