- Be at least 21. Finish a four-year U.S. Department of Labor approved apprenticeship, then one year (at least 1,200 hours) as a journeyman plumber in New Jersey. A bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing or sanitary engineering plus the same journeyman year also qualifies.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- The board's reinstatement form asks for a $3,000 surety bond for each biennial renewal cycle.
- Every two years. Licenses expire June 30 of odd-numbered years. Five credits of board-approved continuing education each two-year period.
Do you need a state license in New Jersey?
New Jersey licenses plumbing work at the state level through the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
New Jersey license types for plumbing work
New Jersey splits the work into 2 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Master Plumber | Licensed to practice plumbing and run a plumbing business |
| Journeyman Plumber | Registered plumber who works toward the master license |
Steps to get licensed in New Jersey
- Get the board-approved apprenticeship (sponsored by your employer) and register as a journeyman plumber.
- Work one year (1,200 hours) as a journeyman in New Jersey.
- Apply online to take the master plumber exam and pay the $100 fee.
- Wait for board approval at its monthly meeting, then register for and pass the exam.
- Pay the license fee and register your bona fide representative for the business.
- Renew every two years by June 30 with five CE credits.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Be at least 21. Finish a four-year U.S. Department of Labor approved apprenticeship, then one year (at least 1,200 hours) as a journeyman plumber in New Jersey. A bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing or sanitary engineering plus the same journeyman year also qualifies.
The license to apply for. Master Plumber.
New Jersey plumbing exams
Trade exam. Yes. You must pass the licensing exam after the board approves your application.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in New Jersey
The board lists 2 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $100 |
| License renewal | $160 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The board's reinstatement form asks for a $3,000 surety bond for each biennial renewal cycle.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years. Licenses expire June 30 of odd-numbered years. Five credits of board-approved continuing education each two-year period.
Reciprocity. Possible if your state's standards are equal or comparable to New Jersey's and your state reciprocates with New Jersey.
Good to know in New Jersey
- A bona fide representative must be a licensed master plumber who owns at least 10 percent of the plumbing business.
- Trucks, invoices and ads must show the master plumber's name and plumbing license number.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a plumber near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how plumbing companies run on Koira.