Plumber / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the New Jersey data shows for Plumbers

New Jersey sets the entry bar for plumbers at 6,595 training hours and a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, with 4 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under New Jersey's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Upfront cost is $205, with renewal running $173 on a 1-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
16/100
Plumber · New Jersey

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
6,595 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$205
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$173/yr
$173 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
6,595 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$205
Renewal Fee
$173
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey requires 6595 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Journeyman Plumber Exam), and an initial fee of $205. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in New Jersey? ▼
Certification as a plumber in New Jersey means clearing the state's checklist: 6595 hours of education plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The New Jersey licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to New Jersey from another state? ▼
Plumber licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New Jersey licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
New Jersey does require a background check before issuing a plumber license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey ties continued plumber licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 1 year, alongside a $173 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in New Jersey, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how New Jersey's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how New Jersey's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. New Jersey overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Jersey licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.