New Jersey Plumber Licensing FAQs

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in New Jersey?

• Registrations:
  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
• Certifications:
  • Medical Gas Piping Installer
  • Medical Gas Piping Instructor
• Licenses:
  • Master plumber
  • Plumbing Contractor

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in New Jersey?

Anyone engaged in the installation, maintenance, extension, alteration, repair and removal of plumbing needs to be licensed.

Master plumbers are licensed to properly plan and install plumbing, and to supervise others who perform this work.

Plumbing contractors are any master plumber, corporation or other legal entity that wants to undertake plumbing jobs for others, and they must register their business entity with the state.

Does New Jersey have reciprocal licensing with other states?

Individuals licensed in other states may apply for licensing through reciprocity with the state of New Jersey. Licensure requirements must be equal or comparable to those of New Jersey, and the other state must also reciprocate with New Jersey.

What fees are associated with becoming a master plumber in New Jersey?

• Application: $100
• Master Plumber Exam:
  • Trades: $83
  • Business & Law: $43
  • Practical: $103
• License: $160
• Renewal: $160

When do I need to renew my New Jersey plumbing license?

You need to renew your license before June 30^th every odd-numbered year.

How do I renew my plumbing license in New Jersey?

To renew your license, you must complete the required continuing education before submitting your renewal application and paying the 160.00 renewal fee

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in New Jersey?

Yes, you need five hours of continuing education every two years.

My New Jersey plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?

If your license has been expired for less than five years you may apply for reinstatement to the board. In order to reinstate your license, you must pay a renewal fee as well as a reinstatement fee, have completed all required continuing education, and submit all required documentation the application asks for.

1. Meet the minimum experience requirements
   1. Be at least 21 years or older
   1. Have 5 years experience in the plumbing trades
      1. 1 year as a licensed Journeyman
      1. 4 years engaged in an apprenticeship program OR
      1. Have a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing or sanitary engineering
2. Submit an application for approval to take the exam along with required fee
3. Take and pass your exams

Pay required licensing fees.

• Application: $100
• Master Plumber Exam:
  • Trades: $83
  • Business & Law: $43
  • Practical: $103
• License: $160
• Renewal: $160

There are three portions to the master plumber exam:

• Trades: 100 question open book exam with 195 minute time limit (70% to pass)
• Business & Law: 50 question open book exam with 130 minute time limit (70% to pass)
• Practical: 25 question closed book exam with 130 minute time limit (70% to pass)

Trade Exam Outline:

• General Knowledge
• Materials, Uses and Specifications
• Traps, inceptors and backflow prevention
• Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances
• Water supply systems
• Drains and waste
• Specialty plumbing
• Safety
• Vent systems

Business and Law Exam Outline:

• Business organization
• Licensing
• Estimating and bidding
• Contract management
• Project management
• Safety
• Labor law
• Financial management
• Tax law
• Lien law

Practical Exam Outline:

• Isometric analysis
• Figure analysis

• Brick
• Cherry Hill
• Hamilton Township
• Linwood
• New Brunswick
• New Providence
• North Brunswick
• Parsippany
• Rochelle Park
• Secaucus

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

If you fail any portion of the exam, you may retest as many times as you want. However, you have to wait six months between each attempt.

In order to renew your New Jersey Plumber's license you must complete five hours of continuing education by June 30th of every odd-numbered year.

Our courses are not currently approved for plumbing continuing education in the state of New Jersey.

Things in the plumbing industry change often. As a professional in your trade it is important to keep your knowledge base up to date so you can make practical decisions for your business. Professional development courses are designed to help you improve your industry knowledge. Whether you are looking for information on new avenues to pursue in your business, wanting to brush up on best practices, or are just interested in learning about a particular topic: professional development is for you!

Professional development is different from continuing education. Continuing education courses are mandatory courses that your licensing body wants you to take in order to maintain your license.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.