Get a Plumbing License in New York

Journeyman and master plumbers are required to obtain a license in order to do business in New York State. New York is recognized as a state with relatively strict plumbing license requirements. In some cities, it is not necessary to get a license to be a journeyman plumber, but for the New York City license, you must have worked as a registered journeyman plumber for at least 2 years before applying to be a master plumber. The licenses are issued by municipalities rather than the state, so make sure you are in contact with your city or county licensing department. Read the licensing requirements to see if you have everything you need to become a licensed plumber. Find out how to get a plumbing license in NY.

Steps

Journeyman Plumber's License

1. Meet the age requirement. You must be at least 18 years old to become a licensed journeyman plumber.
2. Meet the language requirement. All licensed plumbers must be able to read, understand and write in English.
3. Work for 2 to 5 years as a plumber's apprentice. You should be able to provide documentation of all previous licenses, plumbing employers and your employment under a master plumber.
   • If you are applying to become a licensed journeyman in New York City, you must submit your Social Security history of earning for the years that you have listed as those with plumbing experience on your application. You can request this information from the Social Security Administration online.
4. Complete a New York State registered plumbers training course and supply a completion certificate. This is only required if you are applying for journeyman registration in New York City. You must also be able to show that you have experience working in New York City for at least 1 year.
5. Obtain copies of all plumbers licenses that you are currently holding in municipalities outside of the 1 you are apply to. This will not apply to all NY journeyman plumber applicants.
6. Supply 2 passport-style photographs for your application and license card. These can be taken at drugstores with photo departments and dedicated passport photo businesses.
7. Pay a fee of $50 to $100 to become a licensed journeyman plumber. The fee amount varies between cities.
8. Request a journeyman plumber application from your town clerk, clerk of court or city licensing body. The New York City plumbing license application can be found on the New York City Citywide Administrative Services website, nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/home/home.shtml
9. Fill out your application. List your personal information, including social security number, your years of experience, past plumbing employers, references, education and character references. You will need approximately 3 character references, who can vouch for you as person and employee.
10. Ask a NY master plumber to fill out the affidavit confirming your employment as a plumber. You will need to pay a notary to confirm the master plumber's identity and place a date and seal on the document.
11. Sign the application. Submit it with other licenses, the affidavit, passport photographs and fee. You will need to submit the application in person with 2 forms of identification.

Master Plumber's License

1. Meet the age requirement. A New York licensed master plumber must be at least 18 years of age. If you have completed the work experience needed to become a licensed master plumber, then it is likely you will meet this age requirement.
2. Meet the language requirement. You must be able to read, understand and write in English to conduct business as a licensed plumber in New York.
3. Fit the experience and education qualifications for a licensed master plumber. You need to prove that you have met 1 of the following requirements by providing W-2 forms for the years you were employed under a licensed master plumber or with other applicable work:
   • You have at least 7 years of applicable experience working directly under a master plumber. These years of experience should be within the last 10 years. 2 of those years must be as a licensed journeyman plumber, if you are applying in New York City.
   • You have worked as a plumbing inspector for the government or a private firm. You can be credited for up to 2.5 years of work experience, as long as the balance of experience adds up to a total of 7 years.
   • You have received a bachelor's degree in engineering from a college or university registered by the New York State Department of Education. You must also have 5 years of applicable experience in the last 7 years, with 2 years of experience in New York.
   • You are a licensed architect or engineer. You must have 3 years of plumbing experience in the last 5 years, with 1 year of experience in New York.
   • You have at least 2 years of plumbing work experience under a licensed master plumber and you have worked in plumbing maintenance or repair for a city agency for at least 5 years.
4. Apply to take the master plumber examination before you apply to be a master plumber. You must fill out an application proving you have the above experience. Check on the city's website or call to request the proper application and see when license exams will be given.
5. Take and pass the written master plumber license exam. This exam will require a fee of between $200 and $300. It will test your knowledge of the municipal administrative code with multiple choice questions. If you pass this test, you will be allowed to take the practical exam.
6. Take and pass the practical master plumber license exam. Schedule the exam after passing the written exam. You will be asked to show practical knowledge of plumbing and the administrative code with a proctor.
7. Submit additional information to the license board. The following must be submitted to the city board within 1 year of passing your exams:
   • Signed, notarized affidavits from the master plumbers who vouch for your required experience. This affidavit must include dates, a description of your duties and jobs you worked on. They must indicate that they directly supervised you during this time. These affidavits should be in a sealed envelope when they are submitted.
   • A certified record of your Social Security Administration earnings. This will verify your work experience.

Things You'll Need

• Work experience
• W-2 forms
• License application
• Notary
• Record of Social Security Administration earnings
• Master plumber affidavits
• Fee of $50 to $300
• Written exam
• Practical exam
• Identification
• Social security number/card
• English fluency
• New York State plumber training program
• Character references
• Copies of plumbing licenses in other cities

References

See also

• Get a Job as a Home Decorator
• Become an Intermediate Painter
• Get a Plumbing License in NJ
• Get a Plumbing License in Florida
• Become a Plumber in the UK
• Become a Journeyman Plumber
• Be a Plumber
• Become an Electrician in Wisconsin
• Join the IBEW
• Become an Electrical Contractor

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