The state of New York does not directly provide licenses and set requirements, but you must comply with local regulations in the area or areas where you wish to work.
In New York City, it is strictly forbidden to work without a license and you must first gain experience as an apprentice, then apply to become a journeyman, and finally, if you wish, apply and complete an exam to become a master plumber.
These are the minimum requirements for becoming a plumber in New York City:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be able to read, write, and understand English
- Be fit to perform work
- Have moral character so as to not affect your job
- Have at least two years of experience as an apprentice plumber
Page Navigation
- New York Plumbing License Reciprocity
- New York Plumbing Master License Requirements
- Master Plumber Exam
- New York Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
- Plumbing Journeyman Exam
- New York Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
- New York Plumber Apprentice Jobs
- Plumbing Trade Schools in New York
- Salary
- Plumber Schools by City
New York Plumbing License Reciprocity
New York State does not have reciprocity agreements, but it is our suggestion to take a closer look at individual cities’ and counties’ requirements as they might have agreements with other states.
New York Plumbing Master License Requirements
A master plumber who is licensed by New York City can perform all plumbing jobs, but so as to become a master plumber, he/she must pay a $200 fee for the license and meet one of the following levels of experience:
- Seven years of applicable experience working directly under a master plumber
- Two of those years must be as a licensed journeyman plumber
- A bachelor’s degree in appropriate engineering technology from a college or university registered by the New York State Department of Education and at least five years of total experience within the seven years. At least two years of this experience must be in New York City
- A New York State-licensed professional with at least three years of experience within the five years prior. At least one year of this experience must be in New York City.
- At least seven years of total experience within ten years prior to application with at least two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber in the United States; at least two years of this experience must be obtained as a Department of Buildings’ registered Journeyman Plumber.
- Experience as an employee of a government agency, private inspection agency or other entity accepted by the Buildings Commissioner whose duties primarily involve the plumbing work for compliance with the New York City Plumbing Code combined with your work experience equals seven years of work experience required within ten years prior to application
- Pass a background check
Applicants must submit the following documents in person to the NYC Department of Buildings:
- LIC2 application
- Examination Score Report Form
- LIC34 application, if applicable
- LIC51 application;
- LIC62 Physical Exam form must be completed within 90 days prior to the application date;
- Notarized Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire
- Notarized Background Investigation Questionnaire
- Experience Verification Forms
- Certified Social Security History of Earnings;
- Photo ID (driver’s license, learner’s permit, State ID, green card, or passport)
- Original Social Security Card
- Original birth certificate, a current passport, or a green card
- Proof of residence (utility bill, lease or deed) or a typed notarized letter and bill from the person you are residing with
- Latest pay stub or W-2
- Two (2) passport size photographs
- Child Support Certification Form
- $500.00 Background Investigation Fee
Master Plumber Exam
To obtain your license, you must pass a written and practical exam.
So as to be allowed to take the test, you must fill out an application for the written section as well as an application for the practical section, along with submitting a $525 fee and $350 fee.
The administrator will email directions for scheduling the exam on which you need a passing score of 70% for the written section in order to take your practical exam.
New York Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
To register for a journeyman license, you must submit applications through the Department of Buildings Licensing platform.
You must also upload the following documents with your application:
- Photo Identification (driver’s license, passport or green card)
- Original Social Security Card
- DPL1 Form
- Department of Labor approved apprenticeship/training program certificate
- Typed notarized affidavits from all past or current employers you have indicated that will attest to your experience and qualification
- Social Security History of Earnings
- Child Support Form
- Registration fee of $50.00
Affidavits must include the following information and must be an exact match to what was submitted in your online application:
- Your job title (Helper, Journeyman, etc.)
- Name of the company
- A detailed description of your duties
- Your employment dates for each licensee you worked with
- Whether your employment was full- or part-time
- A statement by the licensee
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
New York does not require an exam to become a journeyman plumber.
New York Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
An apprentice in New York City can be a person who is at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or a GED.
New York Plumber Apprentice Jobs
New York has various training centers where you can find apprenticeship programs and these include:
- Boilermakers Northeastern JAC
- Finishing Trades Institute of New York at Albany
- Eastern Millwright Regional Council Apprenticeship
- UA Local 1 Plumbers Training Center
- New York Department of Labor website
Plumbing Trade Schools in New York
SUNY Empire State College
Location: Saratoga Springs, New York
Tuition: Interested parties must request more information
Contact: 1-800-GO-TO-ESC
LaGuardia Community College
Location: Queens, New York
Tuition: $2,239 for a three-month program
Contact: (718) 482-5231
Apex Technical School
Location: Queen, New York City, New York
Tuition: Interested parties must request more information
Contact: (212) 645-3300
Harlem School of Technology
Location: New York, New York
Tuition: Interested parties must request more information
Contact: (212) 932-2849
Coop Tech
Location: Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island
Tuition: N/A — applicants must be enrolled in a Department of Education High School
Contact:
Queens: (212) 369-8800 ext. 1351 OR ext. 2311
Brooklyn: (718) 290-8600 ext. 2571
Manhattan: (212) 369-8800 ext. 1351 OR ext. 2311
Bronx: (718) 589-2531 ext. 5091
Staten Island: (212) 369-8800 ext. 2311
Salary
The average Plumber salary in New York is $ 61,677, but the median salaries among major cities differ a lot, as can be seen in the table below.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in New York
City Name Salary New York $69,552 Buffalo $54,970 Rochester $56,664 Yonkers $66,257 Syracuse $56,656 Albany $58,418 New Rochelle $65,848 Mount Vernon $66,228 Schenectady $58,190 Utica $55,044 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 1,380 $77,410 $37.22 $109,500 $46,500 Binghamton, NY 270 $75,000 $36.06 $112,700 $44,620 Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY 1,450 $75,230 $36.17 $102,400 $45,910 Elmira, NY 120 $75,140 $36.13 $110,190 $47,120 Glens Falls, NY 100 $64,200 $30.86 $103,940 $35,110 Ithaca, NY 80 $68,630 $33 $101,520 $45,110 Kingston, NY 180 $75,780 $36.43 $130,170 $48,510 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 23,600 $93,650 $45.02 $143,210 $49,590 Rochester, NY 1,450 $70,950 $34.11 $105,540 $41,730 Syracuse, NY 880 $70,360 $33.83 $104,590 $46,290 Utica-Rome, NY 120 $71,740 $34.49 $115,350 $45,230 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY 90 $78,480 $37.73 $132,180 $45,890
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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