Plumber License Requirements in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (NC PHF Board) |
| License Type | Plumbing Contractor (P-I or P-II) |
| Experience Required | 2 years / 4,000 hours of hands-on plumbing experience. Technician: 1.5 years / 3,000 hours. |
| Education Substitute | Up to 50% of experience (2,000 hours) can be substituted with approved academic/technical coursework |
| Exam Required | Yes — Plumbing Trade Exam + Business & Law Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — $5,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | Several weeks plus 90-day exam authorization window |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Exam Fee | $100 |
| Initial License Fee | $150 |
| Est. Initial Total | $275 |
Renewal: $150 every 1 year
Exam Requirements
Plumbing Trade Exam
150 questions4 hoursPass: 75%
NC Plumbing CodePlumbing systemsSafety
Business & Law Exam
50 questions1.5 hoursPass: 75%
NC business lawLicensing regulations
Exam provider: PSI
License Tiers
P-I (Class I)
All buildings — residential, commercial, industrial
Exam: Required
P-II (Class II)
Single-family detached dwellings only
Exam: Required
Plumbing Technician
Must work under licensed P-I, P-II, or RLP contractor
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 7 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
south carolinaExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
tennesseeExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
louisianaExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
georgiaExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
mississippiExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
alabamaExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
floridaExam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Notes
- Technician license fee is $75 (activation and renewal)
- Exam waiver agreement with South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolina requires a statewide plumber license through the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
How much does a plumber license cost in North Carolina?
The estimated initial cost is $275, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: NC PHF Board