In Montana, where rugged landscapes meet the heartbeat of modern living, the intricate plumbing infrastructure forms the unsung backbone of our daily routines.
Behind the scenes, the skilled craftsmanship of plumbers ensures our homes, businesses, and communities thrive without interruption.
Embarking on a plumbing career in the Treasure State isn’t solely about fixing leaks or installing pipes; it’s a journey laden with professional fulfillment and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.
In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know on how to become a plumber in Montana.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in Montana
To begin your plumbing journey in Montana you must be at least 18 years old.
You must also be a High School Graduate or have the GED equivalent.
Before applying for any of the plumbing licenses Montana issues, you must complete at least 7,500 hours of training and experience, which equals 5 years.
You can gain your 5 years of experience throughout:
- working under the supervision of a licensed plumber
- enrolling in an apprenticeship program
- trade school/college course (up to 2 years of school experience, the remaining 3 should be on-the-job training)
Montana issues the following plumbing licenses:
- Journeyman Plumber License
- Master Plumber License
Journeyman Plumber License
After obtaining the 7,500 hours (5 years) of training required you can go on and apply for your Journeyman Plumbing License.
You must submit an application form and pay the $270 application fee.
The examination consists of a written and practical part, and there are separate fees for the exams.
The written exam fee is $175.
The practical exam fee is $75.
The written exam is an open-book exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code book as amended and the Statutes and Rules Relating to the Board of Plumbers and Building Codes.
The time limit is 3 hours.
The practical examination includes 3 virtual diagrams and has a 150-minute time limit (two and a half hours).
During the examination, you must bring your code book.
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass your exams.
You will receive your results in your email within 2 weeks of the examination.
If you have passed the exam you will go on to receive your journeyman plumbing license.
The licensure fee is $270.
Master Plumber License
To qualify to get the Master Plumber License you must have at least 4 years of experience working as a journeyman plumber.
3 of those years must be under the supervision of employment of a Master Plumber.
The process of applying and examination is similar to a journeyman.
You need to submit an application fee and pay the $380 application fee.
The exam fee is $175.
The exam is an open-book exam consisting of 125 multiple-choice questions based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code book as amended and the Statutes and Rules Relating to the Board of Plumbers and Building Codes.
The time limit is 3 hours.
For the exam, you must bring your code book.
To pass the exam you must receive a score of 70% or higher.
You will receive your results in your email within 2 weeks of the examination.
If you have passed the exam you will receive your master plumbing license.
The licensure fee is $380.
Plumbing Schools in Montana
The state of Montana offers great apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, and college courses to prepare its aspiring plumbers for the field, here are some of the best choices you can currently choose from.
Montana State University-Northern
Montana State University-Northern offers a course called Plumbing Technology AAS.
It is a 2-year (4 semesters) program that gives 62 credits total:
- 17 credits in the first semester
- 14 credits in the second semester
- 16 credits in the third semester
- 15 credits in the fourth semester
After completing an associate degree program, graduates are eligible to work as joint makers and installers under the supervision of a licensed journeyman plumber.
After the course and three additional years of on-the-job training, they can then apply for a journeyman plumber license.
To learn more about the program and how to apply visit their website.
Plumbers Training Institute
Plumbers Training Institute offers an online exam prep program also known as Montana Plumber Exam Prep. 
This program is created to ensure you pass your plumbing exam and get your license on the first try.
Within this package, you will receive:
- Uniform Plumbing Code Individual Prep Course
- Book: Uniform Plumbing Code 2018
- Pre-printed tabs for book
- BONUS: Pricing Plumbing for Profit Individual Prep Course – $59 value
The full price of this program Is $501, however, Plumbers Training Institute often has sales so If you’re lucky enough to catch one you can get it for less.
They offer prep courses for both Journeyman and Master Plumbers.
To learn more and buy one of the programs visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Montana State University - Northern | 300 13th St W, Havre, MT 59501, United States |
| Plumbers Training Institute | Online |
Salary
Montana pays its plumbers fair wages for the hard work they put into keeping their plumbing systems and water supply running smoothly.
The annual wages can vary from $43181 to $73255.
The annual average wage currently is estimated at $58159.
Billings currently has the highest estimated annual average wages at $61201.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Billings | $61,201 |
| Miles City | $60,246 |
| Kalispell | $56,973 |
| Great Falls | $56,029 |
| Havre | $55,074 |
| Helena | $54,680 |
| Missoula | $53,726 |
| Butte | $53,726 |
| Bozeman | $53,726 |
| Anaconda | $53,726 |
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 440 | $79,100 | $38.03 | $105,680 | $51,880 |
| Great Falls, MT | 260 | $72,150 | $34.69 | $83,650 | $46,650 |
| Missoula, MT | 160 | $66,350 | $31.9 | $88,230 | $45,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I renew my Montana plumbing license?
All plumbing licenses in Montana expire on September 1st annually, so you must renew your license up to that date.
Where are plumbing exams being taken in Montana?
Both the Journeyman and Master Plumber exams in Montana can be taken:
- Online Proctored Exam
- In-Person Exam
Who issues the plumbing licenses in Montana?
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Board of Plumbers is responsible for issuing all plumbing licenses in the state.
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