The licensing process is straightforward, as you must work as a plumbing apprentice for a minimum of four years which is considered a starting point.
Finishing this makes you eligible to apply for your journey license and take the appropriate exam.
Furthermore, if you would like to pursue the master plumber status, you can do so after another two years, and after successfully passing the exam.
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Maryland Plumbing License Reciprocity
Maryland has reciprocity for plumbers with the state of Delaware.
This means that if you already have a journey or master plumbing license from either Delaware or Maryland, you can begin working in either state.
Those people who possess a license and are interested in working in a different state or are coming to Maryland from another state should submit a reciprocal licensing application to the State Plumbing Board.
Besides the application, they have to submit some supporting documents, including:
- Verification letter from Baltimore County, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) or State of Delaware
- Natural Gas Fitter verification form
- Certificate of Insurance (your name must appear on the certificate and the Maryland State Board of Plumbing must be named as the certificate holder)
- Copy of current license
- Copy of current master HVACR or master restricted (applicable to master natural gas fitter reciprocal licensing only)
- Copy of Photo ID or driver’s license
- Backflow Certification (applicable to master and journey plumbing/gas fitter only)
Once you gather all these, you should email them to the State Plumbing Board at DLOPLplumbing_DLLR@maryland.gov.
Maryland Master Plumbing License Requirements
A master plumber is a person who is licensed by the Board to provide plumbing services and natural gas services and to become a master plumber in Maryland, you must meet a specific set of licensing requirements.
Besides the fact that you must hold a journey plumbing contractor license for at least two years prior to your master license application, you must also complete 3,750 hours of training under the direction of a licensed master plumber and pass the written licensing examination.
Supporting documents must be submitted with your application and the $70 license fee.
You can submit your application and pay the fee online, at the State Plumbing Board’s License Application portal.
Master Plumbers Exam
Prospective master plumbers are required to sit and pass the plumbing master examination, offered by PSI Exams.
The exam consists of 100 questions that have to be answered within 4 hours of time.
The subjects are the following:
- Plumbing fundamentals and safety
- Materials and specifications
- Traps, interceptors, and backwater valves
- Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances
- Water supply systems
- Backflow prevention
- Drain, waste, and vent systems
- Special topics
- Gas appliances and piping
- Plumbing mathematics
This is an open-book exam, but only the following materials can be used during the testing:
- National Standard Plumbing Code Illustrated
- NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code
- Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926, or Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 Selections by PSI
- Any standard backflow text
To be considered successful on this exam, you must get at least 70% of the questions.
It costs $65 to take the exam.
Due to the fact that all licenses will expire two years from the date they were issued, you must continually renew your master plumbing license in Maryland.
Maryland Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
If you want to become a journey plumber in Maryland, you have to meet the following criteria:
- You must hold an apprentice license for at least four years prior to your license application.
- You must complete a minimum of 7,500 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
- You must complete a minimum of 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing.
- You must pass the licensing examination.
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
The journey exam covers the following areas:
- Plumbing fundamentals and safety
- Materials and specifications
- Traps, interceptors, and backwater valves
- Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances
- Water supply systems
- Backflow preventions
- Gas appliances and piping
- Plumbing mathematics
Maryland Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
It is true that the majority of people want to reach a master or journey plumber level, but that is only possible if they finish their apprenticeship.
An apprentice in Maryland is licensed by the Board to assist a master plumber or a holder of a limited master plumber license in providing plumbing services.
You must register as an apprentice with the State Plumbing Board.
Eligible to apply are people who are at least 16 years old; have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in any state or federal court; and have never had this type of license denied, suspended, or revoked by any jurisdiction.
You must also pay a $15 application fee and submit your apprentice application online via the Maryland Department of Labor website.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Maryland
Community College of Baltimore County – Public – Locations: Catonsville, Dundalk, Essex
Tuition & Costs: $235 per credit hour
The phone number for all locations: (443)-840-2222
- Catonsville – 800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228
- Dundalk – 7200 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21222
- Essex – 7201 Rossville Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21237
Hagerstown Community College – Public – Location: Hagerstown
Tuition & Costs: $190.00 per credit hour
Contact Information:
(240)-500-2000
11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21742
Montgomery College – Public – Locations: Germantown, Rockville, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Westfield
Tuition & Costs: $341.80 per credit hour
The phone number for all locations: (240)-567-5000
- Germantown – 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876
- Rockville – 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring – 7600 Takoma Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
- Gaithersburg – 12 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
- Westfield South Center – 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 306, Wheaton, MD 20902
Salary
The average Plumber salary in Maryland is $59164.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Maryland
City Name Salary Baltimore $58,988 Frederick $61,411 Columbia $58,893 Germantown $61,750 Gaithersburg $63,332 Bowie $63,371 Rockville $63,428 Hagerstown $58,120 Annapolis $60,645 Salisbury $61,048 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 5,110 $62,660 $30.13 $93,350 $36,670 California-Lexington Park, MD 140 $55,250 $26.56 $77,730 $37,120 Cumberland, MD-WV 100 $55,730 $26.79 $69,720 $37,980 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV 220 $52,690 $25.33 $71,310 $35,000 Salisbury, MD-DE 610 $56,130 $26.99 $79,140 $35,310
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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