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How to get a plumber license in Maine

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Maine's official board.

If you qualify for the journeyman-in-training licence, take it: 2,000 hours instead of 4,000 is a year saved. Just note the four-year window attached to it, the credential is designed to be used promptly, not held in reserve.

Issuing authority: Maine Plumbers' Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Official page: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/plumbers-examining-board/licensing/individual-licenses

License levels in Maine

Maine plumber licensing at a glance

RequirementsMAINE OFFERS TWO ROUTES TO THE JOURNEYMAN LICENCE, and the faster one runs through a distinct JOURNEYMAN-IN-TRAINING credential that most states do not have. ROUTE ONE, TRAINEE. A minimum of TWO YEARS with 4,000 HOURS of work in the field of plumbing installations as a LICENSED TRAINEE PLUMBER under the supervision of a master plumber. ROUTE TWO, JOURNEYMAN-IN-TRAINING. A minimum of 2,000 HOURS of work in plumbing installations as a JOURNEYMAN-IN-TRAINING under the supervision of a licensed master plumber, HALF the hours, provided the experience is obtained WITHIN FOUR YEARS of the date the journeyman-in-training licence was issued. The journeyman-in-training route is the one to understand: it halves the required hours but attaches a four-year expiry to the credential, so the time must be served promptly after it is issued. The board publishes its Laws and Rules in full, and the statute is at 32 M.R.S. chapter 49.
ReciprocityThe Plumbers' Examining Board assesses out-of-state applicants against these hour requirements; check the board's individual licences page and its journeyman FAQs for the current position rather than assuming an examination waiver.
RenewalLicences renew with the Plumbers' Examining Board through the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation on its published cycle.
NotesIf you qualify for the journeyman-in-training licence, take it: 2,000 hours instead of 4,000 is a year saved. Just note the four-year window attached to it, the credential is designed to be used promptly, not held in reserve.

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Common questions

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Maine?
If you qualify for the journeyman-in-training licence, take it: 2,000 hours instead of 4,000 is a year saved. Just note the four-year window attached to it, the credential is designed to be used promptly, not held in reserve.
What plumber license levels does Maine have?
The levels are Trainee Plumber, Journeyman-in-Training, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber.
How do you get licensed as a plumber in Maine?
MAINE OFFERS TWO ROUTES TO THE JOURNEYMAN LICENCE, and the faster one runs through a distinct JOURNEYMAN-IN-TRAINING credential that most states do not have. ROUTE ONE, TRAINEE. A minimum of TWO YEARS with 4,000 HOURS of work in the field of plumbing installations as a LICENSED TRAINEE PLUMBER under the supervision of a master plumber. ROUTE TWO, JOURNEYMAN-IN-TRAINING. A minimum of 2,000 HOURS of work in plumbing installations as a JOURNEYMAN-IN-TRAINING under the supervision of a licensed master plumber, HALF the hours, provided the experience is obtained WITHIN FOUR YEARS of the date the journeyman-in-training licence was issued. The journeyman-in-training route is the one to understand: it halves the required hours but attaches a four-year expiry to the credential, so the time must be served promptly after it is issued. The board publishes its Laws and Rules in full, and the statute is at 32 M.R.S. chapter 49.
Does Maine have plumber license reciprocity?
The Plumbers' Examining Board assesses out-of-state applicants against these hour requirements; check the board's individual licences page and its journeyman FAQs for the current position rather than assuming an examination waiver.

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Sources: www.maine.gov, www.maine.gov, www.maine.gov, www.maine.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

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