Alaska Plumber License Requirements
Official classification: Certificate of Fitness - Plumbing · Issued by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section.
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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): at least 2,000 hours installing fuel and gas piping within a total of at least 4,000 hours of plumbing work, plus an exam (8 AAC 90.135(b)). 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.
- 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. Renewal: 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.
For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →
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): at least 2,000 hours installing fuel and gas piping within a total of at least 4,000 hours of plumbing work, plus an exam (8 AAC 90.135(b)). 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 | None found: AS 18.62 and 8 AAC 90 set no background or criminal-history check; the application collects identity details and an SSN for child-support enforcement (8 AAC 90.110). |
| Credit requirement | — |
| Reciprocity | None · other states' agreements |
| Processing time | 7-10 business days |
What an Alaska plumber license costs
| Application fee | $50. |
|---|---|
| License fee | $200. |
| Journeyman Plumber Examination | $50. |
| Surety bond | None required. |
| Renewal fee | $200. |
| Renewal period | 2 years. |
Exams
| Journeyman Plumber Examination | Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50 |
|---|
Renewing an Alaska plumber license
The Certificate of Fitness - Plumbing renews on a fixed cycle set by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.
| Renewal period | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $200 |
| 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. |
| Where to renew | Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section |
Local / municipal notes
Homeowners may perform plumbing work on their own property without a certificate. Since August 8, 2025, journeyman plumber certificates can be reciprocated case by case with any U.S. jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially similar, without a mutual agreement (8 AAC 90.111); 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): at least 2,000 hours installing fuel and gas piping within a total of at least 4,000 hours of plumbing work, plus an exam (8 AAC 90.135(b)). Utility (restricted): 1,000 hours installing water, sewer, or storm utility lines.
How long does it take to get an Alaska plumber license?
Processing time: 7-10 business days.
Is a background check required for plumbers in Alaska?
Background check: None found: AS 18.62 and 8 AAC 90 set no background or criminal-history check; the application collects identity details and an SSN for child-support enforcement (8 AAC 90.110).
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.
Official sources
labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof-regs.pdf
labor.alaska.gov/lss/plumbing_electrical.htm
labor.alaska.gov/lss/miforms.htm
labor.alaska.gov/lss/mihome.htm
labor.state.ak.us/lss/mi-faq.html
labor.state.ak.us/lss/contractor_licensing.htm
howtobecomeaplumber.org/alaska
law.cornell.edu/regulations/alaska/8-AAC-90.137