Construction / Plumber License / Alaska
- Alaska
- Plumber License
- Journeyman & Mechanical Administrator
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Alaska Plumber License
Alaska splits plumbing credentials between two agencies: a Journeyman Plumber Certificate of Fitness for doing the work, and a Mechanical Administrator license for supervising it. Here’s what each one takes.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division and Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing requirements
Application fee
$50–$150
Journeyman $50 plus $200 certificate fee; Mechanical Administrator $150 plus $150 PSI exam and $200 license
Exam time
4 hrs
Journeyman and Mechanical Administrator exams
Time to get license
8,000 hrs
Journeyman experience; Mechanical Administrator needs years more
Continuing ed
16 hrs
Required for renewal
Overview
Do you need an Alaska plumber license?
Yes. To do plumbing work in Alaska you need a Journeyman Plumber Certificate of Fitness from the Labor Standards and Safety Division. To supervise commercial and industrial plumbing work, you need a Mechanical Administrator license from the Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing.
License required when
- You install, repair or maintain plumbing systems, pipes, fixtures or appliances (Certificate of Fitness)
- You supervise plumbing work under AS 08.40.400 (Mechanical Administrator)
- You supervise heating, cooling and process piping, or mechanical temperature control work, as part of the unlimited commercial and industrial plumbing category
Common exceptions
- Workers still earning their 8,000 hours of experience before applying for a Certificate of Fitness
- Any other exemptions aren’t listed in our sources, so check with the Mechanical Inspection Section before working without a certificate
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t list specific penalty amounts. The state enforces certification and licensing under Alaska’s statutes and regulations, so plumbing work without the right credential can lead to enforcement action. Check with the state for current penalties.
Your fast-track Alaska plumber license checklist
The Alaska application, one page
- 8,000 hours of plumbing installation experience (up to 1,000 can be classroom)
- Notarized Application for Certification of Fitness
- Verification of your work experience
- Application approval before you schedule the exam
- Passing score of 70% on the open-book exam
- Plan for 16 hours of CE at renewal
Types
Alaska plumber license types and classifications
Most plumbers start with the Journeyman Certificate of Fitness. The Mechanical Administrator license is for experienced journeymen who move into supervision and management.
JRY
Start here
Plumber Journeyman Certificate of Fitness
Install, repair and maintain plumbing systems, read blueprints, and handle pipe threading and connections for water supply and drainage.
Exam
Plumber Journeyman
Limit
Not stated
MA
Supervision
Mechanical Administrator, Unlimited Commercial & Industrial Plumbing
Supervise all plumbing work, plus heating, cooling and process piping, mechanical temperature control, and residential plumbing and hydronic heating work.
Exam
Unlimited C&I Plumbing MA
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Alaska plumber license requirements, class by class
The two credentials come from different agencies and have very different experience rules. Here’s how they compare.
| Requirement | Journeyman Certificate of Fitness | Mechanical Administrator (Plumbing) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Labor Standards and Safety Division | Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing |
| Field experience | 8,000 hours in commercial or residential plumbing installation | Journeyman plumber for 4 of the last 6 years |
| Management experience | Not required | Field superintendent or similar for 4 of the last 6 years |
| Education | Up to 1,000 hours of trade classroom training can replace field time | Mechanical engineering degree or PE registration, plus 1 of the last 3 years in the field |
| Application | Notarized application with verified work experience | Complete application, documents and fees, approved before you test |
| Exam | Plumber Journeyman (4 hrs, 70% to pass) | Unlimited C&I Plumbing MA (100 questions, 240 min) |
Steps
How to get your Alaska plumber license, step by step
- Build your experienceBefore you apply
Log 8,000 hours installing commercial or residential plumbing. Up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training can count, but maintenance hours don’t. - Apply for your Certificate of FitnessBefore the exam
Submit a notarized Application for Certification of Fitness with verified work experience to the Labor Standards and Safety Division (907-269-4925). - Pass the Journeyman examExam day
Once the Mechanical Inspection Section approves your application, schedule the open-book exam. All exams are by appointment, and you need 70% to pass. - Gain supervisory experience4 of 6 years
For the Mechanical Administrator license, work as a journeyman plumber and in plumbing management for 4 of the 6 years before you apply. - Apply for the Mechanical Administrator licenseBefore the exam
Send a complete application, documents and fees to the Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing (907-465-8443) to get approval to test. - Pass the Mechanical Administrator exam with PSIExam day
Register with PSI or call 800-733-9267 after state approval. 100 questions, 240 minutes, open book.
Exam
What to expect on the Alaska plumber exam
Each credential has its own open-book exam, and you need state approval before you can schedule either one.
Format
Open book
Questions
100 (MA); JRY not stated
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Journeyman: 4 hours, 70% to pass; topics are general plumbing, gas piping and appliance venting, gas and water piping drawings, waste and venting
- Mechanical Administrator: 100 questions, 240 minutes, 70 correct to pass
- MA topics include Alaska statutes and regulations, DWV, fuel gas and oil, water piping, fixtures, storm drains and isometric analysis
- The Journeyman exam reference is the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our sources
- All Journeyman exams are by appointment only
- State approval is required before you register with PSI
- Check the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for current rules
Exam references · Open book
Both Alaska plumbing exams are open book, and the permitted references can be tabbed and highlighted and brought into the test. The list covers the Plumber Journeyman exam (Uniform Plumbing Code only) and the Unlimited Commercial and Industrial Plumbing Mechanical Administrator exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — Journeyman and Mechanical Administrator exams | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code — Mechanical Administrator exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| Northern Comfort: Advanced Cold Climate Home Building Techniques — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Uniform Solar Energy Code — Mechanical Administrator exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| NFPA 54: National Fuel Gas Code — Mechanical Administrator exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Centralized Licensing Regulations — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Centralized Licensing Statutes — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Construction Contractor Statutes and Regulations — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Mechanical Administrator Statutes and Regulations — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| High Pressure Boilers — Mechanical Administrator exam | 6th edition | Study only |
| Low Pressure Boilers — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters — Mechanical Administrator exam | 8th edition | Study only |
| IPT Pipe Trades Handbook — Mechanical Administrator exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Modern Plumbing — Mechanical Administrator exam | 9th edition | Study only |
| Boiler Operator’s Guide — Mechanical Administrator exam | 5th edition | Study only |
The Alaska statutes and regulations are free state publications you print and bring to the Mechanical Administrator exam.
Prep
Best Alaska plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does an Alaska plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Fitness application (nonrefundable) | Fixed | $50 |
| Certificate of Fitness certificate fee (2 years, charged after testing) | Fixed | $200 |
| Mechanical Administrator application (per category) | Fixed | $150 |
| Mechanical Administrator PSI exam fee | Fixed | $150 |
| Mechanical Administrator initial license fee | Fixed | $200 |
| Code books and references | Variable | Varies |
| Continuing education | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Journeyman certificate, excluding books and CE; a Mechanical Administrator license totals $500 | $250 |
Fees from the Mechanical Inspection Certificate of Fitness application and AS 18.62.030, 12 AAC 02.245 and the PSI Mechanical Administrators candidate bulletin, checked October 2026. Mechanical Inspection lists no separate exam fee for the journeyman certificate.
Reciprocity
Does Alaska accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Alaska doesn’t have reciprocity agreements for plumbing credentials, so out-of-state plumbers qualify the same way as everyone else.
No reciprocity agreements
Apply as a new applicant, document your experience and pass the Alaska exam for your credential.
Local
Do Alaska cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Your Certificate of Fitness and Mechanical Administrator license come from the state. Local governments still handle the job-site side.
State handles
- Journeyman Plumber Certificates of Fitness (Labor Standards and Safety)
- Mechanical Administrator licenses (Professional Licensing)
- Exam approval and scheduling
- Continuing education for renewal
City & county handle
- Plumbing permits
- Inspections
- Local business licenses
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Alaska
Licensing authority
Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division and Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing
Labor Standards and Safety (Certificates of Fitness): 907-269-4925
labor.alaska.gov/lss/plumbing_electrical.htm
Professional Licensing (Mechanical Administrators): 907-465-8443
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues Journeyman Plumber Certificates of Fitness
- Licenses Mechanical Administrators in the plumbing category
- Approves applicants before they schedule exams
- Sets continuing education requirements for renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Alaska plumber license and keep it active
Both credentials renew every two years and need 16 hours of continuing education. The journeyman certificate renews for $200, plus the $50 application fee if you renew more than 90 days after expiration; after two years lapsed you must retest. The Mechanical Administrator license renews for $200.
Renewal cycle
2 years
CE hours
16
Renewal fee
$200
Late penalty
$50 application fee after 90 days (journeyman)
Renewing your license?
See the Alaska CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Alaska plumber license FAQs
How many hours do I need for an Alaska journeyman plumber certificate?
8,000 hours installing commercial or residential plumbing. Up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training can count, but maintenance hours don’t.
What is a Certificate of Fitness in Alaska?
It’s the credential the Labor Standards and Safety Division issues to journeyman plumbers once their application is approved and they pass the exam.
Is the Alaska plumbing exam open book?
Yes. Both the Journeyman and Mechanical Administrator exams are open book, and you need 70% to pass.
What does a plumbing Mechanical Administrator do?
They supervise plumbing work under AS 08.40.400. The unlimited commercial and industrial category also covers heating, cooling and process piping, temperature controls, and residential plumbing and hydronic heating.
Does Alaska accept out-of-state plumbing licenses?
No. Alaska has no reciprocity agreements for these credentials, so you apply as a new applicant and take the Alaska exam.
How much continuing education do Alaska plumbers need?
16 hours for renewal.
Sources
Official sources for the Alaska plumber license
- Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division, Plumbing and Electrical
- Alaska Mechanical Inspection, Testing information
- Alaska Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing, Construction Contractors
- Alaska Mechanical Administrator Statutes and Regulations (PDF)
- Alaska Centralized Licensing Statutes (PDF)
- Alaska Centralized Licensing Regulations (PDF)
- PSI, Candidate Information Bulletin
- Alaska Mechanical Inspection, Electrical and Plumbing Certificate of Fitness Application (PDF)
- Alaska Mechanical Inspection, Certificate of Fitness Renewal Application (PDF)
- Alaska Certificate of Fitness Statutes and Regulations, AS 18.62.030 (PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division or the Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing.