Licensing Guides
New Jersey Plumbing License: How to Become an Plumber in New Jersey
Plumbing, NJ
Joanne Bratton
Table of Contents
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in New Jersey
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in New Jersey?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in New Jersey?
Does My New Jersey Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in New Jersey?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in New Jersey?
You can’t rush through the training it takes to become a plumber, but time and effort leads to a career that is long-lasting, lucrative, and fulfilling. Almost every state requires plumbers to be licensed because it’s complicated work that affects the health and safety of our society.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 504,500 plumbers nationwide, and New Jersey employs 9,840 of them. The national number is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, adding more than 44,000 to the ranks across the country. In New Jersey, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is also 5% for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC or mechanical professionals while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment in New Jersey in July 2025 totaled 156,300, a decrease of 8,000 (-4.9%) from July 2024 and an increase of 7,700 (5%) from February 2020.
If you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
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Licensing requirements for plumbers vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. New Jersey has statewide standards for working in the plumbing business beginning at the apprentice level.
Plumbing License Requirements for Plumbers in New Jersey
Is a license required for plumbers in New Jersey? Yes. It is mandated from the beginning. In the state of New Jersey, to legally perform plumbing work of any kind, you must be licensed or registered.
The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, a subdivision of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, issues master plumber licenses. It also oversees apprentice and journeyman plumber registration.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in New Jersey
What are the types of plumber licenses in New Jersey? There is one type of state license and two types of registrations for those working in the plumbing trade.
Apprentice Plumber Registration — Any person whose principal occupation is engaged in learning and assisting in plumbing installation.
Journeyman Plumber Registration— A person other than an apprentice or master plumber who installs, alters, repairs, and renovates plumbing and works under the supervision of a master plumber.
Master Plumber License — A licensed individual who has the qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge necessary to properly plan, lay out, install, and repair plumbing apparatus and equipment. This individual also supervises others performing plumbing work in accordance with state standards, rules, and regulations.
Each license has specific requirements that must be met.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
Apprentice Plumber Registration
Be at least 16 to 18 years old, depending on apprenticeship program requirements.
Register for a U.S. Department of Labor registered plumbing apprenticeship.
Register as an apprentice plumber with the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers.
Pay the $50 registration fee.
For each of the four apprenticeship years, obtain 2,000 hours of on-the-job training working under a licensed master plumber and 144 hours of classroom instruction, until you complete your apprenticeship.
Journeyman Plumber Registration
Be at least 18 years old.
Complete a four-year U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship.
Register with the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers and submit a journeyman plumber work experience certification form.
Pay the $50 registration fee if you have a prior apprenticeship registration. If not, the fee is $75.
Master Plumber License
Be at least 21 years old.
Have been employed for five years in the plumbing trade, with four years in a U.S. Department of Labor registered plumbing apprenticeship program and one year employed as a journeyman plumber. An individual who has not completed an apprenticeship may also meet the work experience requirement if they earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering from an approved, accredited college or university and installed plumbing systems as an apprentice or journeyman plumber for one year.
Apply for and pass the master plumber exam. Submit the following with your application:
A work experience certification form.
W-2s for the years you were enrolled as an apprentice and worked as a journeyman plumber.
If you completed an apprenticeship, submit the official U.S. Department of Labor document certifying completion.
If you earned a bachelor’s degree, submit your official college transcript.
A $100 application fee.
If a licensed master plumber owns at least 10% of a plumbing contractor business, submit a registration of bona fide representative form.
Obtain a $3,000 surety bond.
Pay the $160 license fee. If you apply in the second year of the license cycle, the cost is $80.
Steps to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in New Jersey
Be at least 16 to 18 years old, depending on apprenticeship program requirements.
Register for a U.S. Department of Labor plumbing apprenticeship.
Register as an apprentice plumber with the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. Pay the $50 registration fee.
To become a journeyman plumber, complete your four-year apprenticeship, obtaining a total of 8,000 hours on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction.
Register as a journeyman plumber with the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. Pay the $50 fee if you’re registered as an apprentice. If not, pay the $75 fee.
To become a master plumber, you must be at least 21 years old, have completed a four-year apprenticeship, and have worked at least one year as a journeyman plumber.
Apply for and pass the master plumbing exam. Pay the $100 application fee and $240 exam fee.
If you own a plumbing contractor business, submit required business ownership documentation.
Obtain a $3,000 surety bond.
Pay the $160 license fee for the biennial license.
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in New Jersey
There are many benefits to obtaining your New Jersey plumbing license:
Most importantly, New Jersey requires master plumbers to hold a state license to legally perform any plumbing work. Apprentice and journeyman plumbers must register with the state.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed master plumbers can operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market and increases your earning potential as you acquire more experience.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Plumber in New Jersey?
The annual mean wage for a plumber in New Jersey is $89,320, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that salary can increase as you acquire more experience. A plumbing salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median plumber salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.65% for entry-level workers, and 3.55% for both intermediate and senior level plumbers. In New Jersey those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $58,000
Intermediate (2-4 years): $75,400
Senior (4-7 years): $81,600
Salaries vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a plumbing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one plumbing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive up the average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in New Jersey?
The cost to get started as a plumbing apprentice in New Jersey is fairly low. It costs $50 to register as an apprentice with the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers.
Apprenticeship program costs vary depending on the program you choose. Program fees cover course instruction, textbooks, and materials. Your employer or union typically will absorb these costs.
To register with the state as a journeyman plumber, it costs $50. To obtain a master plumber license, the application fee is $100. The three-part exam with PSI costs $240. The master plumber license fee is $160. The license must be renewed every two years, and the renewal fee is $160. You’ll also have additional costs relating to obtaining a surety bond.
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How to Get a Plumbing License in New Jersey
Becoming a plumbing professional in New Jersey isn’t fast, but it is straightforward.
COMPLETE APPRENTICESHIP/WORK EXPERIENCE: To begin your apprenticeship, register for a U.S. Department of Labor registered plumbing apprenticeship. Register with the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers and pay the $50 fee. Continue working as an apprentice under a licensed master plumber until you complete your four-year apprenticeship.
REGISTER AS A JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER: Once you’ve completed your four-year apprenticeship (a total of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction), you’re eligible to register as a journeyman plumber. Complete the application online and submit a work experience certification form. Pay the $50 fee if you’ve previously registered with the state as an apprentice. If not, pay a $75 fee.
APPLY FOR MASTER PLUMBER EXAM: Once you’ve worked an additional year as a journeyman plumber and have a total of five years of experience, you’re eligible to apply to take the master plumber exam. Those who have not completed an apprenticeship may also meet the work experience requirement if they earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering from an approved, accredited college or university and installed plumbing systems as an apprentice or journeyman plumber for one year. Submit an exam application online and a work experience certification form, along with other supporting documentation proving you’ve completed a registered apprenticeship and meet work experience and educational requirements. Pay the $100 application fee.
PASS MASTER PLUMBER EXAM: Once the board approves your exam application, schedule, take, and pass the three-part exam. The board will notify applicants of how to schedule the exam with PSI. PSI also provides a candidate information bulletin with detailed information. The exam costs $240.
MASTER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Master plumbers must obtain a $3,000 surety bond and pay a $160 license fee for the biennial license. Master plumbers who are plumbing business owners must register their business with the state of New Jersey. If a licensed master plumber owns at least 10% of a plumbing contractor business, submit a registration of bona fide representative form along with required documentation.
The board lists forms on its applications and forms page. Answers to commonly asked questions about plumber licensing may be found on its FAQ page. It also provides top tips for license applicants.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in New Jersey?
It takes a minimum of five years to obtain your master plumber license in New Jersey. You must work four years as a registered apprentice and a minimum of one year as a journeyman plumber before you’re eligible to take the master plumber exam. The board provides a timeline showing the master plumber licensing process takes anywhere from six to 11 weeks from application submission to licensure.
The great news is that as an apprentice you earn a wage from the very beginning and compensation increases each year as you acquire more training and knowledge. Your salary increases again when you become a licensed master plumber. As a master plumber, you can own your own plumbing business, be your own boss and grow your business as much as you want. The sky’s the limit!
New Jersey Plumber Training Programs and Schools
Plumbers are responsible for more than just fixing leaks or clogs. They design, install, and renovate systems that carry liquids or gasses. In addition to mechanics, they must know and follow plumbing code.
Since the state of New Jersey requires plumbing professionals to begin their career journey with an apprenticeship, you may not choose to get a postsecondary degree. However, the state permits master plumber applicants who have not completed an apprenticeship to meet the experience requirement by earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering from an approved, accredited college or university. They must also have installed plumbing systems as an apprentice or journeyman plumber for one year. Applicants must submit a copy of the official school transcript with their application.
Plumbing Trade Schools
Plumbing training opportunities include:
Colleges/Universities
Schools offering a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering include:
Niche provides a list of the best trade schools with plumbing degree programs in New Jersey.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship opportunities include:
Program Prerequisites: For most apprenticeship plumbing programs, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will need to use good customer service skills, possess mechanical capability, pay attention to detail, and be physically fit. The job typically includes hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces, and includes some heavy lifting.
For more detailed information about plumbing school options, check out our Ultimate Guide to Plumbing Schools in New Jersey.
New Jersey Plumbing Contractor Licensing Exam Details
Those seeking a master plumber license must pass New Jersey’s master plumber exam. To take the exam, master plumber applicants must submit an exam application online and pay the $100 application fee. The board notifies applicants of approval and provides details about how to schedule the exam.
The master plumber exam with PSI costs a total of $240. The cost breakdown is $87 for the trade exam, $47 for the New Jersey plumbing contractor business and law exam, and $106 for the practical exam.
The master plumber trade exam is open book and has 100 questions. The exam has a three-hour and 15-minute time limit. Subject areas include:
General knowledge
Materials, uses, and specifications
Traps, interceptors, and backflow prevention
Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances
Water supply systems
Drains and waste
Indirect waste
Roof drain piping
Specialty plumbing
Safety
Vent systems
The New Jersey plumbing contractor business and law exam is open book and consists of 50 questions. The exam has a two-hour and five-minute time limit. Subject areas include:
Business organization
Licensing
Estimating and bidding
Contract management
Project management
Risk management
Safety
Labor law
Financial management
Tax law
Lien law
The plumbing trade practical exam is closed book and has 25 questions. The exam has a two-hour and five-minute time limit. Subject areas include an isometric analysis and a figure analysis.
PSI provides a candidate information bulletin with detailed exam information, including testing locations and approved references.
Who Issues Plumbing Contractors Licenses in New Jersey?
The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers licenses master plumbers and oversees apprentice and journeyman plumber registration.
Board offices are at 124 Halsey St., 6th Floor, Newark, New Jersey 07101. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 45008. The board may be contacted by email at MasterPlumber@dca.njoag.gov or by phone at (973) 504-6420.
Does My New Jersey Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
No. New Jersey does not have reciprocal agreements for plumbing licensing with other states. This means if you are a licensed plumber in New Jersey, you need to follow the licensing process and requirements of the state where you wish to work.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in New Jersey?
While New Jersey does not have formal reciprocal agreements with other states for plumbing licenses, the board may grant licenses to individuals licensed in other states through reciprocity if the licensing standards of the state are comparable to New Jersey’s licensing requirements. Applicants must request the out-of-state licensing board to send a license verification letter to the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. The board provides a list of states it has previously reviewed for reciprocity.
Plumbing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications) and other professional certifications are not required but may make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers or can increase your marketability to customers.
Other Requirements Unique to New Jersey
State plumbing requirements may be found in New Jersey statutes and in Title 13, Chapter 32 of the New Jersey Administrative Code. Licensing regulations are found in the New Jersey Uniform Enforcement Act.
In addition, New Jersey master plumbers must list their name, plumbing license number, vehicle owner or lessee, and principal office location on both sides of their commercial vehicles. Business correspondence, invoices, and advertising must display the name of the master plumber, plumbing license number, and business address of the owner or bona fide representative.
The law also requires master plumbers who subcontract more than one-third of their work to state the following: “A substantial part of the work which we undertake may be performed by independent licensed plumbing subcontractors.”
Are There Plumbing Scholarships in New Jersey?
Yes, there are several plumbing or trade school scholarships in New Jersey. They include:
Be sure to check with your high school or area community organizations for local scholarships that help students begin their career in the plumbing trade.
How Can Someone Verify My Plumbing License in New Jersey?
Potential clients or employees may verify your New Jersey plumbing license by using the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs license verification page. Individuals may also download a roster of active licenses. Search licenses by:
Profession
License type
License number
Business name
Individual name
City
When Can a Plumbing License Be Suspended in New Jersey?
A suspended plumber’s license means the plumber is temporarily prohibited from legally practicing their trade. In New Jersey, a master plumber license may be suspended or revoked for many reasons, including:
Obtaining authorization to sit for an examination through fraud, deception, or misrepresentation.
Engaging in dishonesty, fraud, deception, misrepresentation, false promises, or false pretense.
Engaging in gross negligence or incompetence which damaged or endangered the life, health, welfare, safety, or property of another.
Engaging in professional or occupational misconduct (this includes charging excessive prices for plumbing services).
Violating or failing to comply with laws and regulations.
Permitting an unlicensed person to use a license.
Fraudulently advertising.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For specific information about license enforcement, refer to the New Jersey Uniform Enforcement Act and the state’s plumbing laws.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in New Jersey?
Working as a master plumber in New Jersey without a license can result in a fine of up to $10,000 for the first violation and up to $20,000 for a second or subsequent violation, according to the New Jersey Uniform Enforcement Act.
Continuing Education
Master plumbers must complete five credits of board-approved continuing education courses within each two-year license period. The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers provides a list of approved continuing education instructors. Licensees must maintain continuing education attendance verification for four years.
Master plumber licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. The board sends a reminder to the licensee's address of record about 60 days before the expiration date. Master plumbers renew online. The license renewal fee is $160.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all plumbing industry news in several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top plumbing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
