How to Become a Licensed Plumber in North Dakota
Types of Plumbing Licenses in North Dakota
Apprentice licenses are the lowest level of plumbing license available. To get one, candidates only need to be 18 years old and be pursuing hands-on experience via trade school or under the supervision of a master plumber.
After four years of training, apprentice plumbers can apply for journeyman plumbing licenses and general contractor licenses. Becoming a journeyman plumber requires passing a licensing exam.
Journeyman plumbers can apply for master plumbing licenses after working for an additional two years. They must submit applications to the state and pass the licensing exam before being able to obtain a license.
Master plumbers also need to carry general contractor’s licenses, which vary by class depending on how much the work is worth.
Cost to Get a Plumbing License in North Dakota
Apprentice licenses cost $20 to $75 per year depending on how much training the applicant has. Applying for a journeyman plumbing license costs $100 for the application fee, plus a $75 licensing fee.
Master plumbing license applications cost $200 to submit and have licensing fees of $165. All license types must be renewed annually by the end of the year.
The cost of a general contractor’s license varies depending on what class of license a plumber holds. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
● Class D contractors can perform work worth up to $100,000 and pay $100 licensing fees.
● Class C contractors can perform work worth up to $300,000 and pay $225 licensing fees.
● Class B contractors can perform work worth up to $500,000 and pay $300 licensing fees.
● Class A contractors can perform work worth more than $500,000 and pay $450 licensing fees.
Plumber Licensing Exams in North Dakota
North Dakota offers exams on all levels once a month. The journeyman plumber exam consists of both closed-book and open-book sections.
Parts one and two contain 100 multiple-choice questions and are closed-book sections. Parts three, four, and five contain 40 written-response questions and are open-book.
Applicants can bring copies of the North Dakota Plumbing Code and calculators to the exam, which must be finished in five hours or less.
The master plumber exam has one closed-book section that contains 100 multiple-choice questions plus three open-book sections that contain 40 written-answer questions. As with the journeyman exam, the master plumber exam must be completed in five hours or less.
North Dakota also offers more specialized plumbing contractor exams. They include:
● Sewer and water contractor
● Sewer and water installer
● Water conditioning
● Water conditioning installer
These more specialized exams are shorter but follow the same general structure.
Who Issues Plumbing Licenses in North Dakota?
Plumbing licenses are issued by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. General contractor’s licenses are issued by the North Dakota Secretary of State and are required to begin work as a plumbing contractor.
Plumbing Certifications in North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t issue plumbing certifications. Plumbers that want to demonstrate their skills can do so by getting certified by a national organization like the ASSE or the NITC.
Can I Transfer a Plumbing License to North Dakota?
Yes, you can transfer a plumbing license to North Dakota if you meet certain requirements:
● Provide proof of license — Applicants who are licensed in other states must provide a letter from the issuing agency that verifies the license. The letter must include the license type, issue date, expiration date, and whether the license was obtained by exam.
● Provide employment verification — Applicants must provide written statements from current and previous employers that verify their employment dates, hours worked, and the work performed.
● Meet reciprocity requirements — Applicants from Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota may be eligible for reciprocity and can include a Certificate of Endorsement from their state.
● Meet other requirements — Applicants must meet the requirements of the North Dakota Administrative Code and the North Dakota Century Code.
North Dakota is part of a Multi-State Reciprocal Licensing Group, which applies to Master and Journeyman electricians.
Related Links
● North Dakota Plumbing Schools
● North Dakota Plumbing Salaries
Plumbing License Guides By State
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