Master Plumber Exam FAQs
Most states require plumbers to be licensed to work in the state as a master plumber.
The licensing agency is typically a state government but a few states leave the licensing up to local municipalities at the city and county level. New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri are examples of states that regulate plumbing at the local level. To find out if your state regulates the plumbing trade on a state-wide basis or at the local level, see Tests.com's state-by-state reference guide. The agency responsible for regulating the industry is typically a state plumbing board under the state department of labor or other commerce department. Further, there are a few states that do not regulate journeyman or master plumbers in the traditional way, but regulate only contractors. When planning your career as a plumber, you will have to first determine whether the state or municipality where you wish to work regulates plumbers in the traditional trade language or whether it regulates the building trades in terms of contractors. The difference can be more than semantic, as the qualifications to become a plumber can be different from one state or municipality to another, in part, depending on how the state characterizes the trade in question.
States and municipalities often require candidates to establish that they have worked a certain amount of time as a journeyman under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. The requisite time periods can differ but a typical requirement is one year. The time requirement can be measured in hours as well. To establish the time spent as an journeyman-level plumber, the licensing agency often requires the supervising plumber to fill out a form and certify that the candidate worked the time asserted in the application.
A master plumber licensing exam will typically consist of multiple-choice questions.
Generally, there will be 100 questions on a master plumber licensing exam. The question number will vary from state to state.
The time limit for the master plumber licensing exam will vary from 3-4 hours, depending on the state.
The passing score for a master plumber licensing exam will typically be 70%.
Master Plumber exams differ in content from state to state, but they tend to cover similar material such as:
- Drainage Waste
- Venting
- Hangers and Supports
- Water Supply Systems
- Backflow Prevention
- Storm Drainage Systems
- Plumbing Fixtures, including Water Heaters
- General Knowledge and Regulations
- Interceptors and Traps
- Isometric Analysis
- Septic and Sewer
- Joints and Connections
Master plumber licenisng exams are developed by a state licening board, or at the local municipal level by a local plumbing regulatory board.
To sign up to take the master plumber exam, contact your local licensing department. Ask the licensing department for a candidate handbook and blue print of the master plumber exam, which will provide information about the number and type of questions and how much time you will have to complete the exam.
The master plumber licensing exam is used to determine whether an individual has the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to become a licensed plumber. Upon passing the exam and meeting other eligability requirements, the plumber will be licensed and be able to work as a master plumber within their state or municipality, including running a plumbing business.
Plumbing is highly regulated by the individual states in order to serve public safety. Many states require plumbers to be licensed.
Practice tests, such as Tests.com's Master Plumber Practice Exam, are a good way to study as it goes over the material you need to know while giving you a chance to practice your test taking skills. Additionally, study guides, text books, class notes, flashcards and videos are important study tools. It is best to use a wide range of test prep to get the most comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.
Tests.com has worked with licensed plumbing instructors to create a Master Plumber Practice Test to help you prepare for the exam. Tests.com's TestSim online interactive platform allows you to tailor tests to the subjects you want to study and to form tests to fit your study schedule. You can even simulate the actual Plumber Exam by setting the number of questions and timer to the time period allowed for the actual test. Click here for a free Master Plumber Practice Exam.
