Licensing Guides
North Dakota Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in North Dakota
Plumbing, ND
Table of Contents
License Requirements for Plumbing Professionals in North Dakota
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing License in North Dakota?
Does My North Dakota Plumbing License Work in Any Other States?
As with other skilled trades, most states require training and licensure before you can legally install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems. While the plumbing trade has been around since the 1800s, today’s plumbers need a wide range of skills to work in residential and commercial settings. Depending on the nature of the job, plumbers often work alongside electricians, HVAC techs, electrical contractors, general contractors and other professionals in the construction industry.
Learning the art of plumbing takes years, but once you complete the necessary training, your skills will be in high demand across North Dakota and beyond.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), there are roughly 482,700 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationwide, and 1,560 work in North Dakota. The BLS predicts employment to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032 nationwide, and that growth rate is expected to be dramatically higher in North Dakota — more than six times higher! The growth rate of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Dakota is projected to increase by 13% according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 93% of firms in the U.S. had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
» Want to grow your plumbing business? Click here to get a demo.
Licensure requirements for plumbing workers vary widely from state to state. Read on to learn more about becoming a licensed plumber in The Peace Garden State.
License Requirements for Plumbing Professionals in North Dakota
Is a license required to perform plumbing work in North Dakota? Yes, North Dakota requires a license to work as an Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber. Additionally, plumbers need to obtain a state-issued General Contractor’s License.
Who Issues Plumbing Licenses in North Dakota?
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board is responsible for issuing plumbing licenses. North Dakota also requires a General Contractor's license, issued by the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office, to work as a plumbing contractor.
North Dakota offers three plumbing license types:
Apprentice Plumber
Journeyman Plumber
Master Plumber
North Dakota Apprentice Plumber Requirements
To eventually work as a licensed Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber in North Dakota, you must first fulfill Apprentice Plumber requirements.
Working as an Apprentice Plumber provides the opportunity to gain practical work experience while earning an income. In North Dakota, eligible candidates need to be 18 years of age.
Candidates can pursue an Apprentice Plumber license via a trade school or by working under the supervision of a Master Plumber.
To start the process, candidates need to apply directly to a company or sponsor that offers plumbing apprentice programs, and then register with the North Dakota State Plumbing Board within 30 days of starting apprentice training. All candidates must submit a license application and pay a license fee of $20 to $75, depending on the year of training, and renew licenses annually by Dec. 31.
After completing a minimum of four years of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber, apprentices become eligible to apply for a Journeyman license.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber License
To obtain a Journeyman Plumber license in North Dakota, you must also obtain a General Contractor's License, and meet the following criteria:
Demonstrate at least four years of experience as an Apprentice Plumber under a licensed Master Plumber.
Submit an application to the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, pay a $100 application fee, and register for the Journeyman Plumber licensing exam.
After passing the plumbing exam, candidates need to pay $75 to obtain the Journeyman Plumber license.
Journeyman plumber licenses require annual renewal by the board of plumbing by Dec. 31.
Additionally, Journeyman Plumbers must complete four credit hours of continuing education within two years of obtaining licensure via an approved course by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.
North Dakota Master Plumber License
After meeting requirements for both the Apprentice Plumber and Journeyman Plumber programs, qualified applicants can apply to become a licensed Master Plumber. Licensed Master Plumbers must also hold a General Contractor's License from the state of North Dakota.
The requirements to become a Master Plumber in North Dakota are as follows:
Demonstrate at least two years of experience or 3,400 hours as a Journeyman Plumber under a licensed Master Plumber.
Submit an application to the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, pay a $200 application fee, and register for the Master Plumber licensing exam.
After passing the state licensing exam, candidates need to pay $165 to obtain the Master Plumber license.
Master Plumber licenses require annual renewal by the board of plumbing by Dec. 31.
Additionally, Master Plumbers must complete four credit hours of continuing education within two years of obtaining licensure via an approved course by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.
North Dakota General Contractor's License
To work as a licensed Journeyman Plumber or licensed Master Plumber in North Dakota, you must also obtain a General Contractor's License through the North Dakota Secretary of State's office.
Click here for the full North Dakota Contractor Licensing Requirements:
Types of Contractor’s Licenses in North Dakota
North Dakota offers four types of contractor licenses, depending on the value of the contracting work:
Class D - $100,000
Class C - $300,000
Class B - $500,000
Class A - $500,000+
Cost of North Dakota Contractor's License:
Class D: $100
Class C: $225
Class B: $300
Class A: $450
National Plumbing Certifications
As a plumbing contractor, you can seek other certifications. These certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications) and other professional certifications can add to your marketability and increase your opportunity to make more money.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing License in North Dakota?
You can become an Apprentice Plumber after enrolling in an accredited trade school and/or working with a licensed Master Plumber and applying for an Apprentice Plumber license. It takes at least four years to fulfill the Apprentice Plumber requirements and qualify to become a Journeyman Plumber. After two years of working as a licensed Journeyman Plumber, you can apply to become a Master Plumber.
What Is the Mean Salary for a Plumber in North Dakota?
The annual mean salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Dakota is $65,140 according to the BLS. And, according to Indeed.com, the average salaries for plumbing professionals in North Dakota increase with experience and training.
Apprentice: The average salary for an apprentice plumber is $22.28 per hour in North Dakota and $5,500 overtime per year.
Journeyman: The average salary for a journeyman plumber is $27.72 per hour in North Dakota and $6,750 overtime per year.
Plumber salaries can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience.
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.
ServiceTitan features:
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 average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
North Dakota Training Programs and Trade Schools
North Dakota Plumber Apprenticeship Programs
The following programs offer accredited plumbing apprenticeships:
Additionally, multiple employers throughout the state of North Dakota offer official apprenticeship programs.
Does My North Dakota Plumbing License Work in Any Other States?
Yes. North Dakota permits reciprocity licensure agreements with multiple states, including Minnesota, Montana, Florida, New York, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
According to the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, “The board may register, without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants registered under the laws of other states having requirements for regulating plumbers which the board determines are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state in those instances when such other state grants similar privileges to North Dakota residents licensed under this chapter."
Other Requirements Unique to North Dakota
To keep your state-issued master plumber license current, North Dakota requires you to renew it before it expires every year by Dec. 31.
Continuing Education
Master Plumbers must complete four credit hours of continuing education within two years of obtaining licensure via an approved course by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.
Additional Resources for North Dakota Plumbers
You can stay up to date on all plumbing industry news 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.
