Montana Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber · Issued by the Montana Board of Plumbers.

🔧 PlumberMT ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In Montana, plumbers must hold the Plumber, issued by the Montana Board of Plumbers, 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 Montana

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber. Every figure is verified against the Montana Board of Plumbers; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 5 years of legally obtained plumbing experience verified by affidavit and voucher from licensed master plumber. Master: 4 years as licensed journeyman with 3 years in supervisory capacity, OR 9 years of verified plumbing experience.
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. Criminal history reviewed on case-by-case basis; no fingerprint background check required
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Montana Board of Plumbers — $270 journeyman by examination ($400 by reciprocity or out-of-state application); $380 master (Board application forms) application fee, plus a Included in the application fee license fee. Processing time: Up to 30 days for routine applications.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual (expires September 1st). Continuing education: 4 hours annually of Board-approved code-related coursework.

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

Montana plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Montana — 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 ebizws.mt.gov database →

License types

Journeyman Plumber — Perform plumbing work under licensed supervision or as employee; cannot operate own plumbing business
Master Plumber — Supervise journeymen plumbers and operate plumbing business (with a Construction Contractor License or an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate)

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 5 years of legally obtained plumbing experience verified by affidavit and voucher from licensed master plumber. Master: 4 years as licensed journeyman with 3 years in supervisory capacity, OR 9 years of verified plumbing experience.
Application fee	$270 journeyman by examination ($400 by reciprocity or out-of-state application); $380 master (Board application forms)
License fee	Included in the application fee
Renewal fee	$120
Renewal period	Annual (expires September 1st)
Continuing education	4 hours annually of Board-approved code-related coursework
Bond required	None required for plumber license; surety bond requirement determined at contractor registration level
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	Criminal history reviewed on case-by-case basis; no fingerprint background check required
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Oregon; Idaho; North Dakota; South Dakota · compare all states
Processing time	Up to 30 days for routine applications

What a Montana plumber license costs

Application fee	$270 journeyman by examination ($400 by reciprocity or out-of-state application); $380 master (Board application forms).
License fee	Included in the application fee.
Journeyman Plumber Examination	$85.
Master Plumber Examination	$85.
Surety bond	None required for plumber license; surety bond requirement determined at contractor registration level.
Renewal fee	$120.
Renewal period	Annual (expires September 1st).

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Examination	Provider: IAPMO (online proctored) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $85
Master Plumber Examination	Provider: IAPMO (online proctored) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $85

Renewing a Montana plumber license

The Plumber renews on a fixed cycle set by the Montana Board of Plumbers. 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	Annual (expires September 1st)
Renewal fee	$120
Continuing education	4 hours annually of Board-approved code-related coursework
Where to renew	Montana Board of Plumbers

Local / municipal notes

Journeyman license does not authorize operating plumbing business. Master license required to supervise journeymen and operate business. Individual wishing to operate as plumbing contractor must hold master license and hold a Montana Construction Contractor License (CCL, which replaced contractor registration on January 1, 2026) with workers' compensation insurance if employees, or apply for Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) for sole proprietor status. Reciprocal licensure (Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota) available for journeyman tier only. The Construction Contractor License requires proof of workers' compensation compliance (MCA 37-45-201); it sets no liability-insurance amount.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Montana plumber license cost?

Application: $270 journeyman by examination ($400 by reciprocity or out-of-state application); $380 master (Board application forms). License: Included in the application fee. Renewal: $120.

How do I look up a plumber license in Montana?

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

Do plumbers in Montana need a surety bond?

None required for plumber license; surety bond requirement determined at contractor registration level

What experience is required for a Montana plumber license?

Journeyman: 5 years of legally obtained plumbing experience verified by affidavit and voucher from licensed master plumber. Master: 4 years as licensed journeyman with 3 years in supervisory capacity, OR 9 years of verified plumbing experience.

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

Processing time: Up to 30 days for routine applications.

Is a background check required for plumbers in Montana?

Background check: Criminal history reviewed on case-by-case basis; no fingerprint background check required.

How often must a Montana plumber license be renewed?

Annual (expires September 1st). Continuing education: 4 hours annually of Board-approved code-related coursework.

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