How to Become a Plumber in North Carolina
In North Carolina, a Plumber license typically requires a state exam, a 70% passing score, and a $75 exam fee.
Installs and repairs water, gas and drainage systems. Journeyman plumber licenses vary by state and locality; many require apprenticeship hours plus an exam. Requirements change — always confirm with North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors before paying.
Licensing steps in North Carolina
- 1Meet the basic requirements
Minimum age 18.
- 2Complete pre-license education
Required training hours are not published here — check with the state board for the current figure.
- 3Register and pass the exam
The exam is administered by PSI; you need 70% to pass.
- 4Pay fees and get licensed
Exam fee $75 · application $100 · license $75
- 5Stay current
License renews every 1 years.
Plumber requirements — North Carolina at a glance
| Education hours | — |
| Exam vendor | PSI |
| Questions (national/state) | — / — |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | $75 |
| Application fee | $100 |
| License fee | $75 |
| First-attempt pass rate | not published |
| Retake rule | — |
| Renewal | every 1 years |
| Reciprocity | Limited/none — NC licenses Plumbing Technicians and Plumbing Contractors (P-I/P-II); reciprocity is not offered for most paths |
Official source: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors ↗
Transferring a Plumber license between states
No plumber compact — licensure is state or local. Plumbing licences do not transfer through a national compact. As with electrical work, licensing authority sits with state boards and local jurisdictions, and bilateral board agreements cover specific state pairs.
Contact the specific licensing authority for your destination and ask about reciprocal agreements and code-exam requirements. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a Plumber license in North Carolina?
After completing the required education, most candidates need 4-12 weeks of study before the exam. Total timeline depends on scheduling.
How hard is the Plumber exam in North Carolina?
Official first-attempt pass rates are not published by North Carolina; check the state board.
What does the Plumber license cost in North Carolina?
The exam fee is $75, the application fee is $100, and the license fee is $75
Can I transfer my Plumber license to North Carolina?
No plumber compact — licensure is state or local: Plumbing licences do not transfer through a national compact. As with electrical work, licensing authority sits with state boards and local jurisdictions, and bilateral board agreements cover specific state pairs. For North Carolina specifically, our dataset notes: Limited/none — NC licenses Plumbing Technicians and Plumbing Contractors (P-I/P-II); reciprocity is not offered for most paths.
Plan your Plumber licensing in North Carolina
Work the road in order — check what North Carolina requires, price the prep, lock a study schedule, then keep the license current.
- 1. Confirm requirements — education hours, fees and the board that issues it.
- 2. Budget the prep — exam + application + license + course costs before you pay.
- 3. Study to the exam — the Plumber exam blueprint and a dated study plan.
- 4. Sit the exam — what to bring, where to test, and the retake rule if you miss.
- 5. Stay licensed — renewal cycle, CE hours, and North Carolina reciprocity.
Plumber tools for North Carolina
Every step of the North Carolina Plumber road has a free tool — from the first requirements check to renewal and reciprocity.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Requirements change frequently — verify all figures with North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (retrieved 2026-08-20).