North Dakota Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber License · Issued by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.

🔧 PlumberND ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In North Dakota, plumbers must hold the Plumber License, issued by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in North Dakota

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber License. Every figure is verified against the North Dakota State Plumbing Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Apprentice: must register within 30 days of starting work in the trade; Journeyman: 4 years of work experience and 7,600 hours working under a licensed Master plumber; Master: 2 years of work experience as a licensed Journeyman plumber
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. North Dakota requires —.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (—).
Clear the background check. —
Meet the credit / financial requirement. —
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board — $50 application fee, plus a $100 (journeyman); $200 (master) license fee. Processing time: —.
Keep the license active. Renew 1 year (expires December 31 annually), completing 2-4 credit hours within a 2-year period for Journeyman and Master plumbers.

North Dakota plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in North Dakota — 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 ndplumbingboard.gov database →

License types

Master Plumber — Design, installation, and repair of plumbing systems; can supervise apprentices and journeymen
Journeyman Plumber — Installation and repair of plumbing systems under master or journeyman supervision
Apprentice Plumber — Learning plumbing trade under supervision of a licensed master or journeyman

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Apprentice: must register within 30 days of starting work in the trade; Journeyman: 4 years of work experience and 7,600 hours working under a licensed Master plumber; Master: 2 years of work experience as a licensed Journeyman plumber
Application fee	$50
License fee	$100 (journeyman); $200 (master)
Renewal fee	$100 (Journeyman); $200 (Master)
Renewal period	1 year (expires December 31 annually)
Continuing education	2-4 credit hours within a 2-year period for Journeyman and Master plumbers
Bond required	—
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	South Dakota; Minnesota; Montana
Processing time	—

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50
Master Plumber Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 80% · 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

Some municipalities have local bonding requirements (e.g., Jamestown requires $10,000 bond; Grand Forks requires $5,000 bond for plumbing contractors); contact local jurisdiction for specifics

Frequently asked questions

How much does a North Dakota plumber license cost?

Application: $50. License: $100 (journeyman); $200 (master). Renewal: $100 (Journeyman); $200 (Master).

How do I look up a plumber license in North Dakota?

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

Do plumbers in North Dakota need a surety bond?

—

What experience is required for a North Dakota plumber license?

Apprentice: must register within 30 days of starting work in the trade; Journeyman: 4 years of work experience and 7,600 hours working under a licensed Master plumber; Master: 2 years of work experience as a licensed Journeyman plumber

Is insurance required for plumbers in North Dakota?

Liability: — Workers' compensation: —

How often must a North Dakota plumber license be renewed?

1 year (expires December 31 annually). Continuing education: 2-4 credit hours within a 2-year period for Journeyman and Master plumbers

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