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Plumber
Total cost: $600
Governing Authority
Montana Board of Plumbers (under Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
2
License Levels
$600
Total Fees
4 hrs
CE Hours
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Code Version
Get the Montana Plumber Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Journeyman License Fee
$170
License fee; application: $100; written exam: $150; practical exam: $180
Master Plumber License Fee
$280
License fee; application: $100
Exam Fee
$150 (written) / $180 (practical)
Journeyman requires both; master written only
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Montana Board of Plumbers (under Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division)
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Montana does not have a state apprentice license. Apprentices work under master plumber supervision.
No exam required
Experience Required
5 years / 7,500 aggregate hours in the field of plumbing, OR completion of apprenticeship meeting Montana/US DOL standards; up to 2 years credit for accredited trade school
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
4 years as a licensed journeyman, with 3 of those years in supervisory capacity or with a licensed master plumber; 6,000 hours as licensed journeyman per official application. Alternative: 9 years of experience via notarized statements (for applicants from states without J/M licensing). Steam fitting, hydronics, and industrial piping do NOT count.
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
Gainesville Independent Testing Services / IAPMO
Plumbing Code Version
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 25/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Plumber Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Montana has 16% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Montana has above-average plumbers density — competitive market.
Montana ranks #20 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Journeyman License License fee; application: $100; written exam: $150; practical exam: $180 | $170 |
Master License License fee; application: $100 | $280 |
Exam Fee Journeyman requires both; master written only | $150 (written) / $180 (practical) |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: app ($100) + license ($170) + written ($150) + practical ($180) = $600; Master: app ($100) + license ($280) = $380 (plus written exam) | $600 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (licenses expire September 1)
Renewal Period
4
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Annual; expires September 1; renewal July 1 - September 1
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Montana with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Journeyman exam uniquely includes a hands-on PRACTICAL component (isometric drawings + pressure loop); if you fail with 65%-69%, Montana may issue a temporary license until the next exam. Master path allows 9 years of notarized experience for applicants from states without J/M licensing. Reciprocity is journeyman-only (OR, ID, ND, SD). Uses UPC (not IPC).
No state apprentice license — apprentices work under master plumber supervision
Journeyman exam includes PRACTICAL (hands-on) component: isometric drawings + pressure loop testing (4-hour limit)
Unique: If fail journeyman exam with 65%-69%, a temporary license may be issued until next exam
Journeyman requires 7,500 hours / 5 years (not the generic 8,000/4); up to 2 years trade school credit
Master requires 4 years as journeyman with 3 in supervisory role; 6,000 hours minimum; steam fitting/hydronics/industrial piping do NOT count
Alternative master path: 9 years experience via notarized statements (for states without J/M licensing)
Reciprocates Journeyman ONLY with Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota — NOT master
Uses Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
CE: 4 hours annually
Annual renewal; licenses expire September 1
Exam provider: Gainesville Independent Testing / IAPMO
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Plumber requirements in Montana verified against Montana Board of Plumbers (under Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06