Contractors in Maryland must obtain a license before performing their tasks. The application process for each type of contractor differs. Therefore, general contractors, electricians, or plumbers must undergo their processes to obtain a license.
The state also has strict rules and regulations against contractors working without a license. They can face legal penalties and imprisonment.
However, contractors can avoid that by obtaining a license. The process is relatively straightforward, giving them no reason not to get one.
For plumbers, obtaining a license starts with applying for their apprenticeship. Then, they can get a journey license and, eventually, a master’s license. For these licenses, they have to take a test and pass it.
The process of obtaining a license for each level differs. Therefore, plumbers must know about it before applying for their respective licenses.
Can licensed contractors from other states work in Maryland?
Maryland only has license reciprocity with the state of Delaware. Therefore, plumbers from Delaware can work in Maryland if they already have a journey or master plumbing license.
For licensed plumbers from other states, the same does not apply. These plumbers must submit their reciprocal licensing application to the Maryland State Plumbing Board.
Plumbers must also submit additional supporting documents to get their license reciprocity. These documents include the following.
- A verification letter from Baltimore County, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission or the State of Delaware.
- Backflow certification (for gas fitter licensed plumbers only).
- Certificate of Insurance.
- Copy of current license.
- Copy of current master HVACR or master restricted (for master natural gas fitter reciprocal licensing only).
- Copy of Photo ID or driver’s license.
- Natural gas fitter verification form.
How to get a plumbing license in Maryland?
Prospective plumbers in Maryland must go through an apprenticeship first. Once they do so, they can obtain a journey plumber license.
Subsequently, they can apply for their master plumbing license. The requirements for each level are different and are as below.
Apprentice Plumbing License
An apprentice plumber can perform basic plumbing tasks under a journey or master plumber’s supervision. Plumbers must undergo apprentice training before getting their journey or master plumbing license.
Apprentices must register with the State Plumbing Board of Maryland. They need to fulfill some requirements before applying, which are as follows.
- Prospective plumbers must be at least 16 years old.
- They must not have a felony or misdemeanor conviction in any state or federal court.
- They must never have had their apprentice license denied, suspended or revoked by any jurisdiction.
- They must pay a $15 application fee.
- They must submit their apprentice application form. The form is online on the Maryland Department of Labor website.
Journey Plumbing License
The next step for apprentice plumbers is to get their journey plumbing license in Maryland. Journey plumbers can provide plumbing services under the direction and control of a master plumber.
Apprentices must meet some requirements to become a journey plumber, which is as below.
- Plumbers must hold an apprentice license for at least four years before their license application.
- They must complete a minimum of 7,500 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
- They must complete a minimum of 32 hours of backflow prevention device testing training.
- They must pass the licensing examination.
- They must submit any necessary support application documentation.
- They must pay a $35 license fee.
The journey plumber exam consists of 100 questions, which plumbers will have four hours to complete. The exam tests plumbers on their plumbing knowledge.
It is an open-book exam, and plumbers must get at least 70% of the questions to pass. There is a $65 fee to take the exam.
Once plumbers pass their exam and have their application approved by the State Plumbing Board, they can get their journey plumbing license.
The license expires in two years. Therefore, plumbers have to renew it continually. In case they fail to renew their license within four years, they will have to resubmit their application and retake the exam.
Master Plumbing License
The last step for Maryland plumbers is obtaining a master plumbing license. Master plumbers can provide both plumbing and natural gas services.
Only journey plumbers can receive this license. Similarly, they must meet a few requirements before getting their master’s license, which include the following.
- Plumbers must hold a journey plumbing license for at least two years before their master license application.
- They must complete 3,750 hours of training, supervised and directed by a master plumber.
- They must pass the written licensing exam.
- Once they pass the exam, they must pay a $70 license fee.
The master plumbing exam also consists of 100 questions and takes four hours. Plumbers must get at least 70% of the questions to pass the exam.
They must also pay a $65 exam fee. Like the journey license, plumbers must also renew their master’s license every two years.
Summary
Below is a summary of how to get a plumbing license in Maryland.
Apprentice Plumbing License
- Plumbers must be at least 16 years old.
- They must not have a felony or misdemeanor conviction in any state or federal court.
- They must never have had their apprentice license denied, suspended, or revoked by any jurisdiction.
- They must pay a $15 application fee.
- They must submit their apprentice application form. The form is online on the Maryland Department of Labor website.
Journey Plumbing License
- Plumbers must hold an apprentice license for at least four years before their license application.
- They must complete a minimum of 7,500 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
- They must complete a minimum of 32 hours of backflow prevention device testing training.
- They must pass the licensing examination.
- They must submit any necessary support application documentation.
- They must pay a $35 license fee.
Master Plumbing License
- Plumbers must hold a journey plumbing license for at least two years before their master license application.
- They must complete 3,750 hours of training, supervised and directed by a master plumber.
- They must pass the written licensing exam.
- They must pay a $70 license fee, once they pass the exam.
References
- “Maryland Board of Plumbing” – https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pl/
- “License requirements – Plumbing” – https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pl/plreq.shtml
- “Forms and Fees” – https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pl/plaff.shtml
- “Taking the exam – Plumbing” – https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pl/plexam.shtml
- “Maryland Plumbing Exams” – https://www.tests.com/maryland-plumbing-license-exam