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How to become a licensed plumber in Maine. State-level licensing required. 8,000 apprenticeship hours required. Total initial fees: $286-$296. Verified 2026-04-03. Data verified 2026-04-03. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Governing Authority
Plumbers' Examining Board (under Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Department of Professional & Financial Regulation)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
5
License Levels
$286-$296
Total Fees
None
CE Hours
Maine Internal Plumbing Code (state-specific, based on UPC/IAPMO)
Code Version
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VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Plumbers' Examining Board (under Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Department of Professional & Financial Regulation)
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
Browse approved plumber training programs in Maine.
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Experience Required
No prior experience; age 16+; Maine calls this a 'Trainee Plumber' license
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Path A: minimum 2 years / 4,000 hours as a licensed trainee plumber under supervision of a licensed master plumber; Path B: minimum 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman-in-training under supervision of a licensed master plumber, within 4 years of J-i-T license issuance
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Path A: minimum 1 year / 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman plumber; Path B: minimum 4 years / 8,000 hours as a licensed trainee plumber under supervision of a licensed master plumber
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PROV, Inc.
Plumbing Code Version
Maine Internal Plumbing Code (state-specific, based on UPC/IAPMO)
Closed Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Maine has 24% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Maine has above-average plumbers density — competitive market.
Maine ranks #13 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Trainee Plumber license fee; background check: $21 additional | $100 initial license fee; $100 biennial renewal fee |
Journeyman License Journeyman plumber license fee | $200 |
Master License Master plumber license fee | $200 |
Exam Fee Exam fee (Prov, Inc.) | $65-$75 |
Renewal Fee Biennial; late fee: $50 (up to 90 days); penalty fee: $100 (90 days to 2 years, plus $200 license fee) | $200 |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: trainee ($100+$21) + exam ($65-$75) + license ($200+$21) = $407-$417 across career; direct journeyman: exam + license + background = $286-$296 | $286-$296 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial, based on first licensure date) for all license types
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
$200
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Biennial; based on first licensure date; late: $50 up to 90 days
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Maine has a unique 'Journeyman-in-Training' license — a 4-year non-renewable license issued only once per person. No other state has this exact structure. Exams are closed-book with different passing scores (70% journeyman, 75% master).
Maine uses 'Trainee Plumber' instead of 'Apprentice' — minimum age 16
UNIQUE: 'Journeyman-in-Training' license — valid for a single NON-RENEWABLE 4-year period, issued only once per individual. Requires 1 year plumbing course at board-approved community college, OR 2-year career/tech program, OR registered DOL apprenticeship, plus passing the journeyman exam. Works under direct supervision.
Two paths to Journeyman: 4,000 hrs as Trainee OR 2,000 hrs as J-i-T (within 4 years)
Two paths to Master: 2,000 hrs as Journeyman OR 8,000 hrs as Trainee
Exams are CLOSED BOOK (different from many states)
Different passing scores: 70% journeyman, 75% master
Exam provider: Prov, Inc.
Uses Maine Internal Plumbing Code (state-specific, based on UPC/IAPMO)
No formal reciprocity — case-by-case evaluation only
CE requirements: CONFLICTING SOURCES — flagged for manual verification
Biennial renewal; Trainee licenses lapsed >90 days must reapply as new applicant
Background check fee: $21 for all license types
Plumber Schools in Maine
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#31 of 51
Cost
#11 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152)
Entry Level
$58,590
25th percentile
Median
$61,890
-2% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$75,320
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,480 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" includes pipefitters and steamfitters in addition to plumbers. Wages for plumbers specifically may differ.
Source: BLS OEWS – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+27,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
39,200
per year (avg.)
510,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Plumbing Career Ladder+22% salary growth potential
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Plumber (Journeyman)
$61,890
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$61,890
Master plumber license + contractor license
$75,720
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–222 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Maine Plumbers Examining Board
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Maine Plumbers Examining Board
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Plumber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (you) | $210 | 212–222 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $320 | 264–274 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $225 | 212–222 wks | → |
| Vermont | $205 | 212–222 wks | → |
Maine ranks #32 out of 45 for lowest plumber licensing fees ($286-$296). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours · Fewest Apprenticeship Hours
Related Guides
Study guides and code practice tests for the plumber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Maine
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06
Moving to Maine? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Plumber license to Maine →
Transfer your Plumber license from Maine to: New Hampshire →