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Plumber
Governing Authority
No statewide plumbing license in New York; licensing is handled at the local/municipal level (e.g., NYC Department of Buildings for New York City)
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
No
State Licensed?
N/A
Apprentice Hours
N/A
License Levels
Varies
Total Fees
None
CE Hours
NYC Plumbing Code (based on IPC with NYC amendments); NYC DOB administers exam based on NYC Plumbing Code
Code Version
No state licensing fees reported for plumbers in New York. Check with your local jurisdiction for any municipal licensing requirements.
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
local
Local Jurisdictions Handle Licensing
Regulated by the No statewide plumbing license in New York; licensing is handled at the local/municipal level (e.g., NYC Department of Buildings for New York City)
New York does not issue a statewide plumber license. All licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. Requirements, exams, fees, and renewal rules vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department for exact requirements.
Apprenticeship Program
—
Total Hours
—
Duration
—
Classroom Hours
—
OJT Hours
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Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Experience Required
Not specified
No exam required
Exam requirements are set by individual municipalities. The information below represents common standards across jurisdictions.
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
Not RequiredMaster Exam
Not RequiredPlumbing Code Version
NYC Plumbing Code (based on IPC with NYC amendments); NYC DOB administers exam based on NYC Plumbing Code
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Overall licensing difficulty: 18/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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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.
New York has 18% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
New York has below-average plumbers density — strong demand for new plumbers.
New York ranks #42 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality | Varies |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedN/A
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Plumbing licensing in this state is administered at the local or municipal level, not the state level. Requirements, fees, and exam details vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department or plumbing board for specific requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Licenses
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 New York with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
New York has no statewide plumber license. NYC's master plumber application costs $1,865+ in fees alone, requires 7 years experience (standard path), and as of Feb 2026 must be submitted through DOB NOW. NYC written exam is CLOSED BOOK.
New York has NO statewide plumber license — one of 6 states without state-level plumber licenses (with KS, MO, NE, PA, WY)
All licensing handled at local city/county level; all plumbing businesses must register with NY Secretary of State
NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) handles NYC licensing — (212) 566-5000, nyc.gov/buildings, portal: DOB NOW
NYC License Types: Journeyman Repair (3,000 hrs), Journeyman Plumber (8,000 hrs/~5 yrs, no exam), Master Plumber (full license with exam)
NYC Master Plumber standard path: 7 years total experience within 10 years, including planning/design and installation under direct supervision of US-licensed Master Plumber; at least 2 years as registered NYC Journeyman (required since July 2011)
NYC Master Plumber degree path: BS in mechanical engineering + 5 years within 7 years (2 in NYC); Licensed architect/PE path: 3 years within 5 years (1 in NYC)
NYC Master Plumber exam: Written (closed book, multiple-choice, 70% passing, $585) + Practical (separate application within 24 months, $530) + Background investigation ($500) + License issuance ($200) + Seal ($50) = $1,865+ total
As of February 23, 2026: All NYC Master Plumber applications must be submitted through DOB NOW: Licensing (paper no longer accepted)
NYC Master must own 51% interest in corporation; business must have office in NYC complying with Zoning Code
NYC exam requires physical exam (LIC62 form within 90 days) and certified Social Security History of Earnings
Buffalo issues separate licenses through Plumbing Department (716-851-5067)
NYC Plumbing Code governs NYC; state building code references IPC 2021 but licensing is local
No statewide reciprocity — each local jurisdiction sets own transfer/reciprocity rules
NYC DOB recognizes Journeyman Plumber (8,000 hrs) and Journeyman Plumber (Repair) (3,000 hrs); no exam required for journeyman levels
NYC Administrative Code requires the licensee to own a majority (51%+) interest in the plumbing business and maintain a business address within NYC
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Official Sources
Plumber requirements in New York verified against No statewide plumbing license in New York; licensing is handled at the local/municipal level (e.g., NYC Department of Buildings for New York City), April 2026.
Official regulatory agency — added during plumber audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06