The NSCB issues licenses for three different contractor classifications:
- Class A (General Engineering Contractor) – requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill
- Class B (General Building Contractor) – the construction or remodeling of buildings or structures for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind
- Class C (Specialty Contractor) – There are 36 separate “C” license classifications for contractors whose construction work requires special skill and whose principal contracting.
One very important thing to know is that unlicensed contracting is a crime in Nevada.
If you get caught working without the appropriate license, you can be fined up to $1,000, in case you are a first-time offender, and even up to $10,000 if you are a multiple offender.
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Nevada Plumbing License Reciprocity
According to the state of Nevada’s State Contractors Board, Nevada has very limited reciprocity within the states of California, Arizona, and Utah.
So as to be allowed to do the job in Nevada, you must specifically obtain a Nevada contractor’s license and must apply and re-take the required trade examination.
Nevada Plumbing Journeyman and Master License Requirements
Becoming a journeyman in Nevada is not at all complicated, but there are certain requirements that you need to meet.
In order to apply for a journeyman license, you must show proof of experience, that is, four years of substantiated experience in a state-registered and accredited apprenticeship program that equals out to 8,000 hours of relevant experience.
A candidate for a journeyman or master license has to provide the following:
- Affidavit of experience
- Official application
- Associate fees
- $300 fee in order to submit your application, and if approved there will also be a $600 fee every other year to maintain the license
- Photo ID
All of the following documents have to be delivered in person or mailed to:
NBOPE NITC
501 Shatto Place, Suite 201
Los Angeles, Ca 90020
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
The committee will review your application and if accepted by the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE), you will be contacted by a licensing analyst via letter who will inform you that you are eligible to schedule an exam.
The letter will contain instructions as to where the test can be accessed.
Nevada not only requires an applicant to complete a journeyman trade exam, but also a construction management exam (CMS) administered by the NITC and PSI.
These two tests together cost $140, but you can choose to take the two tests separately.
Then, the costs are $95 apiece.
The tests can be taken via paper or a computer.
You can prepare for the test through journeyman plumber test guides.
The test is composed of an open book portion and a closed-book portion that follows as such:
- Open-book: 2 hours to complete 50 multiple-choice questions
- Closed-book: 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete 100 multiple-choice questions
In order to pass, you need to score 75% or 113 accumulative points and if you happen to fail the test, you can retry indefinitely.
There will be general questions from all chapters, illustrations, tables, charts, and drawings.
Applicants will be given a 100 question and answer, multiple-choice, or closed book examination and there will be general questions from all chapters, illustrations on DWV sizing, gas pipe sizing, storm drainage, and water pipe sizing.
We are giving you the approximate percentage of questions in the exam for certain subject areas.
Journeyman Examination:
- Installation Standards, Administration, Definitions & General Regulations – 20%
- Fixtures and Fixture Fittings, Water Heaters, Indirect Wastes, and Traps & Interceptors – 17.33%
- Sanitary Drainage, Vents, & Storm Drainage Related Drawings – 39.99%
- Water Supply & Related Drawings – 10.67%
- Fuel Gas & Related Drawings – 12.67%
Master Plumber Examination:
- Installation Standards, Administration, Definitions & General Regulations – 14%
- Fixtures and Fixture Fittings, Water Heaters, Indirect Wastes, and Traps & Interceptors – 24.67%
- Sanitary Drainage, Vents, & Storm Drainage Related Drawings – 34.67%
- Water Supply & Related Drawings -18.67%
- Fuel Gas & Related Drawings – 8%
Nevada Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
Before being able to reach a journeyman level in a plumbing career, you need to complete an apprenticeship.
In order to become an apprentice in Nevada, you need to apply for an apprenticeship program under the direct supervision of a state of Nevada licensed plumber.
The length of an apprenticeship is usually four years of on-the-job training (8,000 hours) with supervision from a licensed Nevada plumber, and four years of formal classroom schooling.
The good thing is that there is no fee in Nevada for applying for an apprenticeship program.
Applications for apprenticeship typically require the following:
- Valid Nevada driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Social Security Card
- Diploma/GED
- Proof of prior experience, if applicable
- Proof of experience within an accredited training program
If you are ready to become an apprentice and start your journey towards a successful career as a journeyman or master plumber, you can find an apprentice job through simple online research, and the great resources are:
- Online job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, Ziprecruiter, and Linkedin
- Utilizing career centers within a plumbing trade school
- Calling plumbing businesses
Plumbing Trade Schools in Nevada
National Technical Institute (NTI):
Institution: Public
Tuition: Approximately $5,000/year
Contact Info: (702) 948-9000
Address: 1870 Whitney Mesa Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
Plumbers and Pipefitters of Local 525:
Institution: Public
Tuition: Approximately $2,000/semester
Contact Info: (760) 452-1520
Address: 760 N Lamb Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89110
Institution: Public
Tuition: Approximately $2,900/year (in-state) and $9,700 (out-of-state)
Contact Info: (775) 445-3000
Address: 2201 W College Pkwy, Carson City, NV 89703
Nevada Professional License Search
The reason why you can use Nevada Professional License Search is to verify a plumber’s credentials if you want to hire him/her or become his/her apprentice.
A database of licensed contractors is organized and regulated by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB), and available to the public online.
Salary
Just like with any other profession, the approximate earnings of plumbers vary by the city.
This is due to the difference in the development of the city, the amount of work done there, and the experience and credentials of hired plumbers.
The average Plumber salary in Nevada is $58,918, and in the table below, you can notice the variations in the salary among some of the major cities in Nevada.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Nevada
City Name Salary Las Vegas $59,579 Reno $57,711 Henderson $59,349 North Las Vegas $59,579 Sparks $57,711 Carson City $57,941 Elko $48,916 Boulder City $58,774 Mesquite $58,717 Fallon $56,964 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Carson City, NV 80 $60,860 $29.26 $87,510 $46,800 Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV 3,760 $67,070 $32.24 $109,710 $38,040 Reno, NV 990 $68,270 $32.82 $101,590 $47,420
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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