Official-source review: August 27, 2026
Maryland plumbing license: Maryland licenses Apprentice, Journey and Master Plumber/Gas Fitters. The Journey route requires four apprentice years, 7,500 supervised hours, 32 hours of backflow training and an examination; Master adds two Journey years and 3,750 hours under a Master.
What the Maryland plumbing license covers
Maryland licenses Apprentice, Journey and Master Plumber/Gas Fitters. The Journey route requires four apprentice years, 7,500 supervised hours, 32 hours of backflow training and an examination; Master adds two Journey years and 3,750 hours under a Master.
- Plumbing and gas-fitting work within the state license and local permit structure.
- Work only within the classification issued.
- Obtain every county or municipal permit and inspection.
Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.
Maryland plumbing license requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Current rule or route |
|---|---|
| Route | Apprentice to Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter and Master Plumber/Gas Fitter, with insured status for contracting |
| Experience | Journey: four apprentice years and 7,500 hours. Master: hold Journey for at least two years and complete 3,750 hours under a licensed Master. |
| Exam | Pass the comprehensive Journey or Master written examination. |
| Fees | Application, examination, license and renewal charges apply by level; backflow training and local permit costs are separate. |
| Insurance or bond | To contract: at least $300,000 general liability plus $100,000 property damage per occurrence, with the licensee named. |
| Renewal | Renew on the Board cycle; a license expired over four years generally requires retesting. |
Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.
How to complete the Maryland plumbing license process
- Identify the exact individual and business credential.
- Complete the required education and supervised experience.
- Obtain approval and pass each required examination.
- Submit the application, supporting records and current fee.
- Complete insurance, business registration and local permits.
- Renew on time and retain the required records.
Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.
Important Maryland rules and boundaries
- Individual and business credentials may be separate.
- A state license does not replace local permits.
- Related classifications are not interchangeable.
- The responsible authority makes the final eligibility decision.
Maryland may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.
Maryland plumbing license cost and renewal
Budget separately for applications, examinations, training, fingerprints, insurance, business licensing and local permits.
Renew individual, business and specialty credentials separately and verify current charges before filing.
Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.
Maryland plumbing license checklist
- Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
- Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
- Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
- Use the current official form and fee schedule.
- Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
- File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
- Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
- Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is this credential statewide?
The principal credential is statewide, but county or municipal registration, permits and inspections may still apply.
Is an exam required?
Pass the comprehensive Journey or Master written examination.
When does it renew?
Renew on the Board cycle; a license expired over four years generally requires retesting.
Are local permits separate?
Yes.
Official sources used
Verified licensing details
- Jurisdiction
- state license, registration or certification plus local permits, depending on scope
- Licensing authority
- Maryland State Board of Plumbing
- Fees
- Application, examination, license and renewal charges apply by level; backflow training and local permit costs are separate.
- Experience
- Journey: four apprentice years and 7,500 hours. Master: hold Journey for at least two years and complete 3,750 hours under a licensed Master.
- Exams
- Pass the comprehensive Journey or Master written examination.
- Insurance or bond
- To contract: at least $300,000 general liability plus $100,000 property damage per occurrence, with the licensee named.
- Continuing education
- Journey applicants complete 32 hours of approved backflow-prevention training; plumbing licenses currently have no general continuing-education requirement.
- Renewal period
- Renew on the Board cycle; a license expired over four years generally requires retesting.
Official sources
Official sources last checked August 26, 2026.
Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.