North Carolina Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumbing Contractor, Class I / Class II (and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor) · Issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

🔧 PlumberNC ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

In North Carolina, plumbers must hold the Plumbing Contractor, Class I / Class II (and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor), issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in North Carolina

Follow these steps to earn your Plumbing Contractor, Class I / Class II (and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor). Every figure is verified against the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Contractor: 2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience in installation, maintenance, service or repair of plumbing systems. Restricted Limited Plumbing: 9 months (1,500 hours).
Pass the Plumbing contractor examination exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not mandated by the Board (general liability is commonly carried and recommended, but is not a license condition). Property damage: Not mandated by the Board. Workers' compensation: Not enforced by the Board; required under NC labor law if you have 3+ employees.
Clear the background check. Criminal background report required; must be current (within 6 months) for application/reexamination.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors — $150 (exam application) application fee, plus a $150 license activation fee, due within 45 days of passing the exam or the exam must be retaken license fee. Processing time: Applications reviewed in order received; exam authorization is valid for a 90-day window.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual (expires Dec 31; no grace period).

For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →

North Carolina plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in North Carolina — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official public.nclicensing.org database →

License types

Plumbing Class I Contractor (P-I) — Potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in any building (residential, commercial, industrial)
Plumbing Class II Contractor (P-II) — Potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in single-family detached dwellings only
Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor (RLP) — Exterior building sewer piping, exterior water service piping 2" or less, exterior backflow preventers on 2" or less piping, and water filtration systems
Limited Plumbing Water Heater Replacement Contractor (LWH) — Replacement of a water heater in a single-family detached dwelling in the same location

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Contractor: 2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience in installation, maintenance, service or repair of plumbing systems. Restricted Limited Plumbing: 9 months (1,500 hours).
Application fee	$150 (exam application)
License fee	$150 license activation fee, due within 45 days of passing the exam or the exam must be retaken
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor); $25 late fee if not paid in January
Renewal period	Annual (expires Dec 31; no grace period)
Continuing education	None required (CE as a renewal condition was eliminated Dec 31, 2012); voluntary CE encouraged.
Bond required	No surety bond mandated by the Board.
Liability insurance	Not mandated by the Board (general liability is commonly carried and recommended, but is not a license condition).
Property damage	Not mandated by the Board
Workers' comp	Not enforced by the Board; required under NC labor law if you have 3+ employees
Background check	Criminal background report required; must be current (within 6 months) for application/reexamination.
Credit requirement	None published
Reciprocity	No reciprocity agreements, but the Board waives the technical exam for South Carolina licensees under G.S. 87-21(g): SC Residential Plumbing qualifies for Plumbing Class II, and SC Commercial Mechanical Plumbing (PB) for Plumbing Class I. The applicant must have passed the SC technical exam.; Neighbor State License Recognition: North Carolina residents licensed for at least 1 year in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia may obtain the equivalent North Carolina license. · compare all states
Processing time	Applications reviewed in order received; exam authorization is valid for a 90-day window.

What a North Carolina plumber license costs

Application fee	$150 (exam application).
License fee	$150 license activation fee, due within 45 days of passing the exam or the exam must be retaken.
Plumbing contractor examination	$150 examination application fee (non-refundable).
Surety bond	No surety bond mandated by the Board.
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor); $25 late fee if not paid in January.
Renewal period	Annual (expires Dec 31; no grace period).

Exams

Plumbing contractor examination	Provider: PSI · Passing: Not publicly disclosed · Fee: $150 examination application fee (non-refundable)

Renewing a North Carolina plumber license

The Plumbing Contractor, Class I / Class II (and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor) renews on a fixed cycle set by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annual (expires Dec 31; no grace period)
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor); $25 late fee if not paid in January
Continuing education	None required (CE as a renewal condition was eliminated Dec 31, 2012); voluntary CE encouraged.
Where to renew	North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors

Frequently asked questions

How much does a North Carolina plumber license cost?

Application: $150 (exam application). License: $150 license activation fee, due within 45 days of passing the exam or the exam must be retaken. Renewal: $150 (contractor); $25 late fee if not paid in January.

How do I look up a plumber license in North Carolina?

Search the official license database at public.nclicensing.org. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in North Carolina need a surety bond?

No surety bond mandated by the Board.

What experience is required for a North Carolina plumber license?

Contractor: 2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience in installation, maintenance, service or repair of plumbing systems. Restricted Limited Plumbing: 9 months (1,500 hours).

Is insurance required for plumbers in North Carolina?

Liability: Not mandated by the Board (general liability is commonly carried and recommended, but is not a license condition). Property damage: Not mandated by the Board. Workers' compensation: Not enforced by the Board; required under NC labor law if you have 3+ employees.

How long does it take to get a North Carolina plumber license?

Processing time: Applications reviewed in order received; exam authorization is valid for a 90-day window.

Is a background check required for plumbers in North Carolina?

Background check: Criminal background report required; must be current (within 6 months) for application/reexamination.

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a North Carolina plumber license?

Credit requirement: None published.

How often must a North Carolina plumber license be renewed?

Annual (expires Dec 31; no grace period). Continuing education: None required (CE as a renewal condition was eliminated Dec 31, 2012); voluntary CE encouraged.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-19 — always confirm current requirements directly with the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors before applying. This is not legal advice.