- None stated. Homeowners may do their own plumbing on a home they own and live in, unless a local rule forbids it.
- Master: at least 21 years old and two years (3,400 hours) as a licensed journeyman plumber. Journeyman: four years as an apprentice under a licensed master plumber.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Every year. Licenses expire on December 31. Master and journeyman plumbers need two to four credit hours of continuing education within a two-year period.
Do you need a state license in North Dakota?
North Dakota licenses plumbing work at the state level through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
None stated. Homeowners may do their own plumbing on a home they own and live in, unless a local rule forbids it.
Some cities require a city license or registration on top of the state license.
North Dakota license types for plumbing work
North Dakota splits the work into 3 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 | Plans, supervises and installs plumbing; required to be in charge of a plumbing business |
| Journeyman Plumber | Installs, alters and repairs plumbing. May run a plumbing business in cities under 1,000 people and rural areas |
| Plumber's Apprentice | Learns the trade under a master or journeyman |
Steps to get licensed in North Dakota
- Work four years as a registered apprentice under a master plumber.
- Apply for and pass the journeyman plumber exam.
- Work two years (3,400 hours) as a licensed journeyman.
- Apply to the board and pay the $50 exam fee, then pass the master plumber exam.
- Pay the license fee and keep your license number on all ads.
- Renew every year by December 31 and keep up your continuing education.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: at least 21 years old and two years (3,400 hours) as a licensed journeyman plumber. Journeyman: four years as an apprentice under a licensed master plumber.
The license to apply for. Master Plumber.
North Dakota plumbing exams
Trade exam. Yes. The master plumber exam has four parts, 100 closed book multiple choice questions plus open book parts, with five hours allowed. Bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and a calculator.
Business and law exam. No business and law exam is listed.
What it costs in North Dakota
The board lists 4 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 |
|---|---|
| Master exam | $50 |
| Journeyman exam | $50 |
| Master plumber license renewal | $200 |
| Journeyman plumber license renewal | $100 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year. Licenses expire on December 31. Master and journeyman plumbers need two to four credit hours of continuing education within a two-year period.
Reciprocity. The board may license nonresidents without exam when they come from states with similar requirements that offer the same to North Dakota plumbers.
Good to know in North Dakota
- If you fail an exam, you must wait six months to retest.
- Ads for plumbing work must show the 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 North Dakota State Plumbing Board 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.