In order to become a plumber in Montana, applicants must be licensed. Learn more about how to get a plumbing license and start applying for plumbing jobs in Montana.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Montana
Both Journeyman and Master Plumber Licenses are available in Montana.
To become a contractor, an applicant should have a valid Master Plumber License and register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry as a plumbing contractor.
That entails applying for Construction Contractor Registration or requesting an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate.
The latter is only available for those who work alone and have no employees working under them.
Plumbing License Requirements in Montana
In Montana, journeymen and master plumbers are required to be licensed through the state.
Apprentices are advised to acquire licenses, but they’re not legally required to do so.
Those who aren’t licensed must work under the close supervision of licensed plumbers.
To move up in the industry, apprentices may enroll in an apprenticeship program and register with the state or spend at least five years or 7,500 hours working in the field.
At that point, they may apply for their Journeyman License.
To become master plumbers, journeymen must maintain their licensure for at least four years.
Three of those years must be spent as a supervisor or working with a licensed master plumber.
Alternatively, applicants can submit nine years of documented proof of working in the field. They must hold a Journeyman License to apply to become a master plumber.
Cost of a Plumbing License in Montana
Applicants need to pay application and licensing fees of $270 and a total of $250 for the licensing exam.
To proceed from journeyman to master status, applicants must pay $380 for licensing and $175 for the test.
Plumbers who are licensed in other states and qualify for reciprocity must pay $100 to obtain a temporary work permit and $400 for licensing.
Licensing Exams
Aspiring journeymen must pass the written and hands-on portions of the licensing exam with a score of 70 percent or higher.
In terms of licensing exams, applicants are allowed to use calculators and original copies of the Uniform Plumbing Code (2018) and the Montana Amendments to the Uniform Plumbing Code during their tests.
Tests are only offered once or twice annually in the cities of Great Falls, Missoula, Helena, Billings, Butte, Bozeman, and Glendive. This is the case with both journeyman and master plumber exams.
Participants must score 70 percent or higher to pass the licensing exams.
Who Issues Plumbing Licenses in Montana?
Apprentices don’t need licenses in Montana, but they should register with the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Journeyman and Master Plumber Licenses are issued by the Montana Board of Plumbers. Contractors must register with the Department of Labor & Industry.
Additional Certifications for Plumbers in Montana
Beyond obtaining their licenses, plumbers in Montana can acquire certification through the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
They can also receive National Inspection Testing and Certification. These added credentials aren’t required, but they’re certainly recommended.
Can I Transfer a Plumbing License to Montana?
Montana is one of the few states with plumbing license reciprocity. Licensed plumbers from Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota can transfer their licenses to Montana.