Construction / Plumber License / Rhode Island
- Rhode Island
- Plumber License
- Journeyperson & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Rhode Island Plumber License
How to qualify as a journeyperson or master plumber in Rhode Island, including apprenticeship hours, the closed-book state exam, continuing education and renewal.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Plumbers requirements
Application fee
$75
Non-refundable and covers the exam; license fee of $72 (journeyperson) or $240 (master) after you pass
Exam time
90 min
50 multiple-choice questions
Time to get license
~4 yrs
4 years as an apprentice for journeyperson
Continuing ed
15 hrs
Before each renewal
Overview
Do you need a Rhode Island plumber license?
Yes. Rhode Island requires plumbers to be licensed before they bid on or do any plumbing work. Journeypersons work under a master plumber; masters can work without supervision.
License required when
- You bid on plumbing work
- You install fixtures, tubs, showers, sinks, toilets or appliances
- You maintain or repair pipe systems
- You take on plumbing projects without supervision (master)
Common exceptions
- Registered apprentices working toward their hours
- Other exemptions aren’t listed in our source, so check with the Board
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source doesn’t list penalty amounts. The Board of Examiners for Plumbers and the Department of Labor and Training can take action against people who bid or do plumbing work without a license.
Your fast-track Rhode Island plumber license checklist
The Rhode Island application, one page
- Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship (or an approved alternative)
- Proof of 8,000 on-the-job hours and 576 instruction hours
- Application for Examination and Apprenticeship filed with the Board
- Exam date picked after Board approval
- Journeyperson affidavit and 5 years’ experience (master)
Types
Rhode Island plumber license types and classifications
Rhode Island has two plumber license levels. Start as a journeyperson, then qualify for master after at least a year licensed.
JRY
Start here
Journeyperson Plumber
Installs fixtures and appliances, maintains and repairs pipe systems and follows plans, under the direction of a licensed master plumber.
Exam
Journeyperson exam
Limit
Works under a master
MST
No supervision
Master Plumber
Can take on nearly any plumbing project and work without supervision.
Exam
Master exam
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Rhode Island plumber license requirements, class by class
Journeypersons need a completed apprenticeship or an approved alternative. Masters need more total experience, including a year as a licensed journeyperson.
| Requirement | Journeyperson | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 4 years as an apprentice | 5 years, including at least 1 as a licensed journeyperson |
| Training | 8,000 on-the-job hours with 576 hours of approved instruction | Not stated |
| Documents | Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship | Journeyperson affidavit |
| Alternatives | 2 years of plumbing or sanitary engineering school, an associate degree plus 2 years as an apprentice, or an equivalent out-of-state license | Not stated |
| Exam | Journeyperson exam, 70% to pass | Master exam, 70% to pass |
| Minimum age | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Rhode Island plumber license, step by step
- Complete your apprenticeshipBefore you apply
Log 4 years and 8,000 on-the-job hours, including 576 hours of instruction approved by the Department of Labor and Training. - Apply to the BoardPre-approval
File an Application for Examination and Apprenticeship with the Board of Examiners for Plumbers, with the $75 non-refundable fee. Start at dlt.ri.gov. - Schedule your examAfter approval
Once the Board approves you, pick a date and time. Testing centers are in larger cities. - Pass the state examExam day
50 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, closed book. You need 70% to pass. - Receive your licenseAfter passing
Once you pass, you’re invoiced for the 2-year license fee ($72 journeyperson, $240 master). After at least a year licensed and 5 years total experience, you can go for master.
Exam
What to expect on the Rhode Island plumber exam
The journeyperson and master exams are approved and given by the state. They’re closed book, so you study the code ahead of time rather than bring it in.
Format
Closed book, multiple choice
Questions
50
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
State of Rhode Island
Scoring & content
- 50 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes
- 70% to pass
- Based on the 2018 International Plumbing Code
- Topics: materials, joints, traps, fixtures, water distribution, drainage, venting, cross connections, storm drains
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our source
- Retake fees aren’t stated
- Call the Professional Regulation Unit at 401-462-8000 before rebooking
Exam references · Closed book
The Rhode Island Journeyperson and Master Plumbing exams are closed book, so you can’t bring books into the exam. Questions are based on the reference below, which is useful for studying.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2018 | Study only |
Prep
Best Rhode Island plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Rhode Island plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | Fixed | $75 |
| Exam fee | Fixed | Included in the $75 application fee |
| License fee, journeyperson (2 years) | Fixed | $72 |
| License fee, master (2 years) | Fixed | $240 |
| 2018 International Plumbing Code | Variable | Varies |
| Continuing education (15 hrs) | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes code book and continuing education | $147 (journeyperson) to $315 (master) |
Fees from the RI Department of Labor and Training Plumbers and Irrigators Application for Examination and RI.gov plumber renewal page, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Rhode Island accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Rhode Island has no plumbing reciprocity agreements. An out-of-state license with the same requirements can count toward journeyperson eligibility, but you still apply and test.
No reciprocity agreements
Apply as a new applicant and pass the Rhode Island exam. An equivalent out-of-state license can help you qualify.
Local
Do Rhode Island cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Plumber licenses come from the state and cover all of Rhode Island. Cities and towns still handle permits and inspections.
State handles
- Journeyperson and master plumber licenses
- Exam approval and administration
- Apprenticeship instruction approval
- Continuing education before renewal
City & county handle
- Plumbing permits
- Job-site inspections
- Local business registration
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Rhode Island
Licensing authority
Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Plumbers
Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation Unit
401-462-8000
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues journeyperson and master plumber licenses
- Approves applicants for the state exams
- Approves and administers plumbing exams
- Requires 15 hours of CE before renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Rhode Island plumber license and keep it active
Licenses renew every 2 years, and you need 15 hours of continuing education before each renewal. A late fee applies for each month past expiration.
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
CE hours
15
Renewal fee
$72 (journeyperson); $240 (master)
Late penalty
$12 per month late
Renewing your license?
See the Rhode Island CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Rhode Island plumber license FAQs
Do I need a license to bid on plumbing work in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island requires a plumber license before any bidding or work takes place.
How many hours do I need to become a journeyperson plumber?
8,000 on-the-job hours over 4 years as an apprentice, including 576 hours of instruction approved by the Department of Labor and Training.
Is the Rhode Island plumbing exam open book?
No. It’s closed book: 50 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, based on the 2018 International Plumbing Code. You need 70% to pass.
How do I become a master plumber in Rhode Island?
You need 5 years of experience, at least 1 of them as a licensed journeyperson, and you must pass the master exam.
Does Rhode Island accept out-of-state plumbing licenses?
There are no reciprocity agreements. An out-of-state license with the same requirements can help you qualify, but you still apply and pass the exam.
How much continuing education is required?
15 hours before each renewal.
How much does a Rhode Island plumber license cost?
The application is $75, non-refundable, and covers the exam. After you pass, the 2-year license fee is $72 for a journeyperson or $240 for a master plumber.
Sources
Official sources for the Rhode Island plumber license
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation
- Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Plumbers
- 2018 International Plumbing Code
- RI DLT Plumbers and Irrigators Application for Examination (fee table)
- RI DLT Apprentice Completion & Application for Examination
- RI.gov Plumbers, Irrigators and Water Filtration license renewal
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Plumbers.