Maine Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber · Issued by the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board.

🔧 PlumberME ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In Maine, plumbers must hold the Plumber, issued by the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board, 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 Maine

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber. Every figure is verified against the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Trainee: no exam or minimum hours, but the applicant must be employed by a licensed master plumber or by an entity that employs one (32 M.R.S. §3501(3)). Journeyman-in-Training: completion of a one-year (2-semester) plumbing course at a board-approved technical or community college, a registered apprenticeship, or an approved career and technical education program, plus a passing grade on the journeyman exam; a single non-renewable 4-year license (32 M.R.S. 3501(2-B)). Journeyman: Minimum 2 years/4,000 hours as licensed trainee under master supervision, OR 2,000 hours as journeyman-in-training (within 4 years of issuance). Master: Minimum 1 year/2,000 hours as licensed journeyman, OR 4 years/8,000 hours as licensed trainee under master plumber supervision.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Examination and Master Plumber Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Clear the background check. Required ($21 fee)
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board — Master/Journeyman: $200 + $21 background check; Trainee: $100 + $21 background check; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 per the OPOR fee rule (02-041 CMR ch. 10; the Board's web page lists $200) + $21 background check application fee, plus a Master/Journeyman: $200; Trainee: $100; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 for the 4-year license (OPOR fee rule) license fee. Processing time: Not published by the board.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Biennial (2 years); Journeyman-in-Training: 4-year non-renewable license.

For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →

Maine plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Maine — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official pfr.maine.gov database →

License types

Trainee Plumber — Assists with installations under direct supervision
Journeyman-in-Training — Assists with installations; cannot represent as journeyman; 4-year license
Journeyman Plumber — Performs plumbing work; can supervise trainees
Master Plumber — Engages in installing plumbing systems; full business ownership and supervision authority

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Trainee: no exam or minimum hours, but the applicant must be employed by a licensed master plumber or by an entity that employs one (32 M.R.S. §3501(3)). Journeyman-in-Training: completion of a one-year (2-semester) plumbing course at a board-approved technical or community college, a registered apprenticeship, or an approved career and technical education program, plus a passing grade on the journeyman exam; a single non-renewable 4-year license (32 M.R.S. 3501(2-B)). Journeyman: Minimum 2 years/4,000 hours as licensed trainee under master supervision, OR 2,000 hours as journeyman-in-training (within 4 years of issuance). Master: Minimum 1 year/2,000 hours as licensed journeyman, OR 4 years/8,000 hours as licensed trainee under master plumber supervision.
Application fee	Master/Journeyman: $200 + $21 background check; Trainee: $100 + $21 background check; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 per the OPOR fee rule (02-041 CMR ch. 10; the Board's web page lists $200) + $21 background check
License fee	Master/Journeyman: $200; Trainee: $100; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 for the 4-year license (OPOR fee rule)
Renewal fee	Master/Journeyman: $200 biennial; Trainee: $100 biennial; late fee (1-90 days): $50; late fee (91 days-2 years): $100 additional
Renewal period	Biennial (2 years); Journeyman-in-Training: 4-year non-renewable license
Continuing education	None required
Bond required	None required (at state level; municipalities may impose local surety bond requirements for specific projects)
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	Required ($21 fee)
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	Not published by the board

What a Maine plumber license costs

Application fee	Master/Journeyman: $200 + $21 background check; Trainee: $100 + $21 background check; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 per the OPOR fee rule (02-041 CMR ch. 10; the Board's web page lists $200) + $21 background check.
License fee	Master/Journeyman: $200; Trainee: $100; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 for the 4-year license (OPOR fee rule).
Journeyman Plumber Examination	$65 (paid to PROV).
Master Plumber Examination	$65 (paid to PROV).
Surety bond	None required (at state level; municipalities may impose local surety bond requirements for specific projects).
Renewal fee	Master/Journeyman: $200 biennial; Trainee: $100 biennial; late fee (1-90 days): $50; late fee (91 days-2 years): $100 additional.
Renewal period	Biennial (2 years); Journeyman-in-Training: 4-year non-renewable license.

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Examination	Provider: PROV · Passing: 70% · Fee: $65 (paid to PROV)
Master Plumber Examination	Provider: PROV · Passing: 75% · Fee: $65 (paid to PROV)

Renewing a Maine plumber license

The Plumber renews on a fixed cycle set by the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Biennial (2 years); Journeyman-in-Training: 4-year non-renewable license
Renewal fee	Master/Journeyman: $200 biennial; Trainee: $100 biennial; late fee (1-90 days): $50; late fee (91 days-2 years): $100 additional
Continuing education	None required
Where to renew	Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board

Local / municipal notes

Municipalities may require surety bonds for specific trades or large projects. Military plumbing experience may provide credit toward licensure (see the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation's military licensing page). Reciprocity available case-by-case if applicant's state has equivalent licensing standards and grants similar privileges to Maine licensees.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Maine plumber license cost?

Application: Master/Journeyman: $200 + $21 background check; Trainee: $100 + $21 background check; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 per the OPOR fee rule (02-041 CMR ch. 10; the Board's web page lists $200) + $21 background check. License: Master/Journeyman: $200; Trainee: $100; Journeyman-in-Training: $100 for the 4-year license (OPOR fee rule). Renewal: Master/Journeyman: $200 biennial; Trainee: $100 biennial; late fee (1-90 days): $50; late fee (91 days-2 years): $100 additional.

How do I look up a plumber license in Maine?

Search the official license database at pfr.maine.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in Maine need a surety bond?

None required (at state level; municipalities may impose local surety bond requirements for specific projects)

What experience is required for a Maine plumber license?

Trainee: no exam or minimum hours, but the applicant must be employed by a licensed master plumber or by an entity that employs one (32 M.R.S. §3501(3)). Journeyman-in-Training: completion of a one-year (2-semester) plumbing course at a board-approved technical or community college, a registered apprenticeship, or an approved career and technical education program, plus a passing grade on the journeyman exam; a single non-renewable 4-year license (32 M.R.S. 3501(2-B)). Journeyman: Minimum 2 years/4,000 hours as licensed trainee under master supervision, OR 2,000 hours as journeyman-in-training (within 4 years of issuance). Master: Minimum 1 year/2,000 hours as licensed journeyman, OR 4 years/8,000 hours as licensed trainee under master plumber supervision.

How long does it take to get a Maine plumber license?

Processing time: Not published by the board.

Is a background check required for plumbers in Maine?

Background check: Required ($21 fee).

How often must a Maine plumber license be renewed?

Biennial (2 years); Journeyman-in-Training: 4-year non-renewable license. Continuing education: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Plumbers' Examining Board before applying. This is not legal advice.