North Carolina ranks among the U.S. states with the highest number of employed plumbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Carolina has over 13,000 plumbers, many of whom work in the Piedmont region in the central part of the state.1
With the state of North Carolina offering a bounty of jobs for plumbers, it’s a great place for professionals in this field. But before you can start working as a plumber in this state, you’ll need to get your license, which requires documenting your experience and training and passing an exam.
If you’re thinking about becoming a plumber in North Carolina, this guide will walk you through all the necessary steps and cover important topics, including:
- Do you need a license to be a plumber?
- How to get a plumber license in North Carolina
- North Carolina plumber license requirements
- Requirements for North Carolina plumber license renewals
- Plumber license reciprocity
- What kind of insurance does a plumber need in North Carolina?
Do you need a license to be a plumber?
All plumbers must have a license issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.2 Plumbers may choose from the following license classifications, each of which allows these professionals to pursue a specific scope of work:
Plumbing class I contractor (P-I)
Potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in any building (residential, commercial, industrial).
Plumbing class contractor II (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.
Plumbing technician
Potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems. Must be a sublicensee of a P-I, P-II or RLP contractor.
Additionally, specific plumbing licenses are available for technicians at private education institutions and state or local government technicians.
How to get a plumber license in North Carolina
Follow these steps to get your North Carolina plumbing license:
Complete your application
The first step in obtaining a North Carolina plumber license is filling out the application. Along with your application, you’ll need to submit the following documents:
- W-2 and/or 1099 forms for your previous plumbing work
- Notarized work experience verification and employment history forms
- Printed copy of your criminal background check from Castlebranch
- Statement describing at any criminal history, if applicable
- Check or money order for the $100 exam fee
Take the plumbing exam
After the state licensing board approves your North Carolina plumber license application, you’ll receive instructions on scheduling your licensing exam. You must take the exam within 30 days of your application’s approval.
The number and length of exams you must take depends on the type of license you are applying for:
- P-I contractor: Technical exam (4 hours) and business and law exam (1.5) hours
- P-II contractor: Technical exam (4 hours) and business and law exam (1.5) hours
- RLP contractor: Technical exam (2 hours) and business and law exam (1.5) hours
- Plumbing technician: Technical exam (4 hours)
You may use approved reference materials during the open-book exam. The exams are administered on-site at testing centers in Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Greenville and Wilmington. You’ll receive the results at the testing location on the day of your exam.
Submit a license activation form
Within 45 days of passing the exam, you must submit a license activation form along with a check or money order for the appropriate licensing fee:
- P-I contractor: $150
- P-II contractor: $150
- RLP contractor: $150
- Plumbing technician: $75
North Carolina plumber license requirements
You must fulfill specific work experience requirements to apply for your North Carolina plumber license:
P-I or P-II contractor license
You must have two years (4,000 hours) of hands-on experience in plumbing systems installation, maintenance, service or repair. You may substitute directly related academic or technical training for up to one-half (2,000 hours) of the experience requirement.
RLP contractor license
You must have nine months (1,500 hours) of hands-on experience in plumbing systems installation, maintenance, service or repair. You may substitute directly related academic or technical training for up to one-half (750 hours) of the experience requirement.
Plumbing technician license
You must have 18 months (3,000 hours) of hands-on experience in plumbing systems installation, maintenance, service or repair.
Requirements for North Carolina plumber license renewals
Licenses expire each year on December 31. There are no continuing education requirements. To renew your license, submit a renewal form along with the appropriate renewal fee:
- P-I contractor: $150
- P-II contractor: $150
- RLP contractor: $150
- Plumbing technician: $75
Plumber license reciprocity
North Carolina’s State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state. Regardless of past experience or licensure in other locations, you must meet North Carolina’s requirements and pass the necessary exam(s) to obtain a plumbing license in this state.
The State Board does allow one exception for applicants with a current residential plumbing contractor license in South Carolina pursuing a P-II license in North Carolina. These individuals may apply for a waiver that exempts them from taking the technical portion of the exam. They must still meet all other licensing requirements.
What kind of insurance does a plumber need in North Carolina?
Once you receive your license, you may want to get plumber insurance to help protect your work. The following list includes the types of North Carolina busines insurance available for licensed plumbers.
Workers’ Compensation insurance
According to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, employers in this state must have workers’ compensation insurance if they have three or more employees.3 If you or one of your employees gets hurt on the job, this type of insurance can help cover lost wages, medical costs and more.
General Liability insurance
General liability insurance can help provide coverage for certain types of accidents, like damage to a client’s property or a third-party injury.
Tools and Equipment insurance
If someone damages or steals the gear you use for work, tools and equipment insurance can help provide coverage for repairs or replacements.
Commercial Auto insurance
If you drive for work, commercial auto insurance can help provide coverage for accident-related costs, such as property damage and medical bills.
Commercial Property insurance
Commercial property insurance can help provide coverage for damage or vandalism to a property you own or rent, along with any inventory or equipment stored there.
How NEXT Insurance supports North Carolina plumbers
Whether you need small business insurance or self-employed plumber insurance, NEXT can help you find the right policies to protect your professional work.
The application process takes place 100% online, so you can get a quote and obtain a certificate of insurance in just minutes from any computer or mobile device. That’s especially convenient when you’re always on the go for your work as a plumber.
Get an instant quote online today.
Are you planning to work as a plumber in another U.S. state? Discover what states require plumber licenses in our summary of plumber license requirements.
Sources
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2 State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
