New Hampshire Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Journeyman Plumber · Issued by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing Board.

🔧 PlumberNH ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In New Hampshire, plumbers must hold the Journeyman Plumber, issued by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing 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 New Hampshire

Follow these steps to earn your Journeyman Plumber. Every figure is verified against the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: an apprenticeship completion certificate or proof of a previous journeyman plumber license in another state, plus the exam (Saf-Mec 305.01); New Hampshire rules set no separate hour count. Master: Minimum 6 months as licensed New Hampshire journeyman plumber with no disciplinary sanctions in past year.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Workers' compensation: Required if business has employees (governed by RSA 281-A).
Clear the background check. Criminal records check required for applicants with felony convictions or crimes involving dishonesty. Applicants must demonstrate good character and professional competence.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing Board — $198 (journeyman); $330 (master) — flat fee, identical for application and renewal application fee, plus a Included in the flat fee license fee. Processing time: Not published by the Mechanical Licensing Board.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 2 years from issuance; expires the last day of the month the license was issued (RSA 310:8). Continuing education: 6 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (3 hours code update per year).

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

New Hampshire plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in New Hampshire — 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 oplc.nh.gov database →

License types

Apprentice Plumber — Plumbing work under direct supervision of a Master Plumber
Journeyman Plumber — Installing, maintaining, and repairing of plumbing and drainage under the direction of a Master Plumber
Master Plumber — Can hire/employ plumbers or do plumbing work as a business without supervision

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: an apprenticeship completion certificate or proof of a previous journeyman plumber license in another state, plus the exam (Saf-Mec 305.01); New Hampshire rules set no separate hour count. Master: Minimum 6 months as licensed New Hampshire journeyman plumber with no disciplinary sanctions in past year.
Application fee	$198 (journeyman); $330 (master) — flat fee, identical for application and renewal
License fee	Included in the flat fee
Renewal fee	$198 (journeyman); $330 (master)
Renewal period	2 years from issuance; expires the last day of the month the license was issued (RSA 310:8)
Continuing education	6 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (3 hours code update per year)
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required if business has employees (governed by RSA 281-A)
Background check	Criminal records check required for applicants with felony convictions or crimes involving dishonesty. Applicants must demonstrate good character and professional competence.
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Journeyman Plumber: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; Master Plumber: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont · compare all states
Processing time	Not published by the Mechanical Licensing Board

What a New Hampshire plumber license costs

Application fee	$198 (journeyman); $330 (master) — flat fee, identical for application and renewal.
License fee	Included in the flat fee.
Journeyman Plumber Exam	$90.
Master Plumber Exam	$90.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	$198 (journeyman); $330 (master).
Renewal period	2 years from issuance; expires the last day of the month the license was issued (RSA 310:8).

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Exam	Provider: Prov, Inc. · Passing: 70% · Fee: $90
Master Plumber Exam	Provider: Prov, Inc. · Passing: 75% · Fee: $90

Renewing a New Hampshire plumber license

The Journeyman Plumber renews on a fixed cycle set by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing Board. 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 from issuance; expires the last day of the month the license was issued (RSA 310:8)
Renewal fee	$198 (journeyman); $330 (master)
Continuing education	6 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (3 hours code update per year)
Where to renew	Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing Board

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New Hampshire plumber license cost?

Application: $198 (journeyman); $330 (master) — flat fee, identical for application and renewal. License: Included in the flat fee. Renewal: $198 (journeyman); $330 (master).

How do I look up a plumber license in New Hampshire?

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

Do plumbers in New Hampshire need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a New Hampshire plumber license?

Journeyman: an apprenticeship completion certificate or proof of a previous journeyman plumber license in another state, plus the exam (Saf-Mec 305.01); New Hampshire rules set no separate hour count. Master: Minimum 6 months as licensed New Hampshire journeyman plumber with no disciplinary sanctions in past year.

Is insurance required for plumbers in New Hampshire?

Workers' compensation: Required if business has employees (governed by RSA 281-A).

How long does it take to get a New Hampshire plumber license?

Processing time: Not published by the Mechanical Licensing Board.

Is a background check required for plumbers in New Hampshire?

Background check: Criminal records check required for applicants with felony convictions or crimes involving dishonesty. Applicants must demonstrate good character and professional competence.

How often must a New Hampshire plumber license be renewed?

2 years from issuance; expires the last day of the month the license was issued (RSA 310:8). Continuing education: 6 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (3 hours code update per year).

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 Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Mechanical Licensing Board before applying. This is not legal advice.