Alaska Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Certificate of Fitness - Plumbing · Issued by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section.

🔧 PlumberAK ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In Alaska, plumbers must hold the Certificate of Fitness - Plumbing, issued by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Alaska

Follow these steps to earn your Certificate of Fitness - Plumbing. Every figure is verified against the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours of documented plumbing work under direct supervision of journey-level tradesperson, with up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training counting toward requirement. As of August 2025, military and vocational hours accepted up to 4,000 hours maximum. Gas (restricted): 2,000 hours installing fuel and gas piping, or 4,000 hours general plumbing. Utility (restricted): 1,000 hours installing water, sewer, or storm utility lines.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Examination exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (—).
Clear the background check. Required; applicants must pass background check with Mechanical Inspection Section covering criminal history
Meet the credit / financial requirement. —
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section — $50 application fee, plus a $200 license fee. Processing time: 7-10 business days.
Keep the license active. Renew 2 years, completing Journeyman: at least 16 hours per 2-year renewal, with at least 8 hours covering changes and updates to the Uniform Plumbing Code (8 AAC 90.192). Alaska issues no master-level plumbing certificate.

Alaska plumber license lookup

There is no single statewide search database for this license — to confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Alaska, verify license status directly with the issuing authority: labor.alaska.gov/lss/plumbing_electrical.htm.

License types

Plumber Trainee — Entry-level apprentice performing plumbing work under direct supervision of journeyman plumber
Plumber Journeyman — Licensed plumber performing installation, removal, alteration, or repair of plumbing and drainage systems
Plumber Gas (Restricted) — Installation of fuel and gas piping within property lines
Plumber Utility (Restricted) — Installation of water, sewer, or storm utility lines to disposal systems

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 8,000 hours of documented plumbing work under direct supervision of journey-level tradesperson, with up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training counting toward requirement. As of August 2025, military and vocational hours accepted up to 4,000 hours maximum. Gas (restricted): 2,000 hours installing fuel and gas piping, or 4,000 hours general plumbing. Utility (restricted): 1,000 hours installing water, sewer, or storm utility lines.
Application fee	$50
License fee	$200
Renewal fee	$200
Renewal period	2 years
Continuing education	Journeyman: at least 16 hours per 2-year renewal, with at least 8 hours covering changes and updates to the Uniform Plumbing Code (8 AAC 90.192). Alaska issues no master-level plumbing certificate.
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	Required; applicants must pass background check with Mechanical Inspection Section covering criminal history
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None
Processing time	7-10 business days

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Examination	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Homeowners may perform plumbing work on their own property without a certificate. Reciprocal certificates may be issued case-by-case if out-of-state credentials meet Alaska's equivalent standards; reciprocal certificate valid for full 2 years and renewable as normal journey-level certificate.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Alaska plumber license cost?

Application: $50. License: $200. Renewal: $200.

Do plumbers in Alaska need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for an Alaska plumber license?

Journeyman: 8,000 hours of documented plumbing work under direct supervision of journey-level tradesperson, with up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training counting toward requirement. As of August 2025, military and vocational hours accepted up to 4,000 hours maximum. Gas (restricted): 2,000 hours installing fuel and gas piping, or 4,000 hours general plumbing. Utility (restricted): 1,000 hours installing water, sewer, or storm utility lines.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Alaska?

Liability: — Workers' compensation: —

How often must an Alaska plumber license be renewed?

2 years. Continuing education: Journeyman: at least 16 hours per 2-year renewal, with at least 8 hours covering changes and updates to the Uniform Plumbing Code (8 AAC 90.192). Alaska issues no master-level plumbing certificate.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section before applying. This is not legal advice.