How to get a plumbing license in Maryland: the official requirements
The Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Maryland State Board of Plumbing.
In Maryland, the state plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. The Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter license, issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor). Apprentice or trainee registration: Start with an apprentice plumber/gas fitter license, which you can apply for online from age 16. Experience and training: Hold an apprentice plumber/gas fitter license for at least four years and complete 7,500 hours of training under the control and direction of a licensed master plumber. Licensing exam: A comprehensive written examination. After you pass, you have one year from the exam date to apply for the license. How to apply: Apply online on the Plumbing Board's website: under Features, choose Licensing Applications, then Apply for Original License, then the Original License link.
Maryland plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | Maryland |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter license, issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor). |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Start with an apprentice plumber/gas fitter license, which you can apply for online from age 16. |
| Experience and training | Hold an apprentice plumber/gas fitter license for at least four years and complete 7,500 hours of training under the control and direction of a licensed master plumber. |
| Classroom hours | 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing. |
| Licensing exam | A comprehensive written examination. After you pass, you have one year from the exam date to apply for the license. |
| How to apply | Apply online on the Plumbing Board's website: under Features, choose Licensing Applications, then Apply for Original License, then the Original License link. |
| Background check | A felony or misdemeanor conviction does not automatically disqualify you; the Board reviews each conviction case by case. Applicants with a conviction send true test copies of the court docket and a letter explaining each offense. |
| State fees | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. |
| License term | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. |
| Continuing education | No continuing education is required to maintain a Maryland plumbing license (plumbing inspector cards need eight hours a year). |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Maryland
- Apply online for an apprentice plumber/gas fitter license (minimum age 16).
- Train for at least four years as a licensed apprentice, logging 7,500 hours under a licensed master plumber.
- Complete 32 hours of backflow prevention device testing training.
- Pass the comprehensive written examination.
- Within one year of passing, apply online for the journey plumber/gas fitter license.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in MarylandWhat plumbers earn.
Open →CareerPlumber career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Maryland State Board of Plumbing (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Maryland State Board of Plumbing's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Board of Plumbing, License Requirements, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Board of Plumbing, Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.