How to Become a Plumber in Maryland

Do you enjoy hands-on work and have a talent for problem-solving?

If you answered yes, becoming a plumber in Maryland might be your ideal career choice.

Picture yourself as the expert behind the scenes, ensuring homes and businesses have reliable water systems and efficient plumbing infrastructure.

If you think you are suited for a career in plumbing, this article will help you start your journey by informing you of everything you need to know to become a plumber in Maryland.

How to Become a Plumber in Maryland – Step by Step

To begin your plumbing journey some apprenticeships require you to be at least 16 years old, while others require you to be at least 18 years old.

Most apprenticeships also require you to be a High School Graduate or have the GED equivalent.

You are required to obtain 4 years of apprenticeship in Maryland, this equals 7500 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber.

Within those 4 years, you must also complete 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing.

The testing consists of a comprehensive written exam.

With this, you will have completed your apprenticeship and can go on to apply for your plumbing license.

Maryland issues the following licenses:

• Journey Plumber License
• Master Plumber License

Journey Plumber License

After you have completed the 7500 hours of training and 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing you can apply for your journey plumber license.

You need to submit an application fee and pay the $65 exam fee.

The exam is an open-book exam consisting of 100 questions and has a 240-minute time limit (4 hours).

The exam consists of the following questions:

• 8 questions: Plumbing Fundamentals and Safety
• 6 questions: Materials, Uses and Specifications
• 4 questions: Traps, Interceptors and Backwater Valves
• 4 questions: Plumbing Fixtures, Fixture Fittings, and Plumbing Appliances
• 8 questions: Water Supply Systems
• 10 questions: Backflow Prevention
• 13 questions: Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems
• 40 questions: Gas Appliances and Piping
• 7 questions: Plumbing Mathematics

Materials to study for the exam include:

• International Plumbing Code, 2018
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2018
• Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters
• Any standard backflow text
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926

You will receive your results immediately after completing the exam.

You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam.

If you have passed the exam you will go on and apply for your Journey Plumber license and pay the $35 licensing fee.

Master Plumber License

To become a Master Plumber in Maryland you must have at least 2 years of experience as a licensed journey plumber.

Within your experience, you must also have completed 3,750 hours of training under a licensed master plumber.

Having met these requirements you can go on and send an application form to take the exam and pay the $65 exam fee.

It is an open-book exam with 100 questions and a 240-minute time limit.

The questions consist of:

• 5 questions: Plumbing Fundamentals and Safety
• 6 questions: Materials, Uses and Specifications
• 4 questions: Traps, Interceptors and Backwater Valves
• 4 questions: Plumbing Fixtures, Fixture Fittings, and Plumbing Appliances
• 8 questions: Water Supply Systems
• 10 questions: Backflow Prevention
• 13 questions: Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems
• 3 questions: Special Topics
• 40 questions: Gas Appliances and Piping
• 7 questions: Plumbing Mathematics

Materials you can use as resources for the exam include:

• International Plumbing Code, 2018
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2018
• Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters
• Any standard backflow text
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926

You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam, and you will receive your results immediately after completing the exam.

After you have successfully passed the exam you can apply to get your Master Plumber License and pay a $70 license fee.

Plumbing Schools in Maryland

Maryland offers great apprenticeship programs, college courses, and vocational schools for its aspiring plumbers.

Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility

Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility offers an apprenticeship program that prepares you to become a Journey Plumber.

Apprentices receive compensation for their work during the program.

Apprentices receive all the knowledge and skills necessary for a lifetime career in the plumbing profession from their practical training as well as relevant classroom teaching.

Approval for getting accepted into the program is based on:

• test scores
• interview scores

To learn more about the program and how to apply visit their website.

Local 486 Plumbers & Steamfitters Apprenticeship Training School

Local 486 Plumbers & Steamfitters Apprenticeship Training School offers an apprenticeship program that prepares you to become a Journey Plumber.

This program consists of on-the-job training and classroom education.

You will be awarded an Apprentice Scholarship to cover the cost of your training if you are chosen for it.

However, you will be in charge of covering the cost of your books.

For the first year, these supplies will cost around $525 and for the next four years, the average cost will be about $350.

Classes are held twice a week usually either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Classes begin in September and end in June following the plumbing school system.

To learn more about this program and how to apply visit their website.

Salary

Maryland pays its plumbers great wages for the hard work they put into maintaining their local communities and keeping the plumbing systems functioning properly.

Annual salaries go anywhere from $48702 up to $82620.

Maryland’s estimated average annual salary is $65594.

The highest wages are currently in College Park, estimated to be $70820, with Rockville, Bowie, and Gaithersburg being right behind also with $70k.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
College Park	$70,820
Rockville	$70,735
Bowie	$70,671
Gaithersburg	$70,629
Frederick	$68,334
Salisbury	$67,633
Annapolis	$67,412
Baltimore	$65,400
Hagerstown	$64,661
Cumberland	$58,376

Regional Salary in Maryland

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC Code 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are plumbing exams being taken in Maryland?

Both the Journey and Master Plumber exams are being taken in the following cities:

• Baltimore
• College Park
• Crofton
• Hagerstown
• Lanham
• Salisbury

When should I renew my Maryland plumber license?

Plumbing licenses in Maryland should be renewed every 2 years, by the date of your initial licensure.

What happens If I fail my plumbing exam in Maryland?

If you fail your exam you can submit another application and pay the fees again to retake the exam, however at least 30 days must have passed from your failed exam to retake it.

Plumber Info by State