Plumber / New York
2026 data New York board official source

New York Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the New York data shows for Plumbers

To practice as a plumber in New York, the state licensing board requires 6,357 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under New York's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $189 to get started, plus $160 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 1-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For plumbers, the reciprocity picture is: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
17/100
Plumber · New York

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
6,357 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$189
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$160/yr
$160 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 York

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
6,357 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$189
Renewal Fee
$160
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 York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in New York? ▼
New York requires 6357 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Journeyman Plumber Exam), and an initial fee of $189. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in New York? ▼
Certification as a plumber in New York means clearing the state's checklist: 6357 hours of education plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The New York licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to New York 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 York licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New York require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the plumber licensing process in New York. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in New York? ▼
To stay licensed as a plumber in New York, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $160.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

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

  • See how New York'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 York's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. New York overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New York 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.