Maryland Plumbing

License Requirements

• Pre-approval from the testing company is required to sit for the examination. After the exam is passed, an application must be submitted to the State Board of Plumbing for final approval before a license is issued.
• A Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license may not contract to provide plumbing services on behalf of the Master Plumber, holder of a Limited Master Plumber license, or another person who engages in the business of providing plumbing services unless the plumbing work of the Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license is covered by liability insurance including completed operations for bodily injury in the amount of at least $300,000 and for property damage in the amount of at least $100,000.
• The insurance required may be bought by a Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license, or for a Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license by the person who engages in the business of providing plumbing services and employs the Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license.
• The insurance requirement is not met for work that a Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license does outside the scope of employment for the person who carries the insurance. A Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license must give the Board notice of the cancellation of insurance at least 10 days before the effective date of the cancellation.
• All Master Plumbers, Propane Gas Fitters, and Master Natural Gas Fitters who enter into contracts, obtain work permits, or allow their license to be used for the same must be: insured, have the words MD Licensed (Plumber/Certified Propane Gas Fitter/or Licensed Natural Gas Fitter) followed by the license/certification number on both sides of all vehicles, and have the words MD Licensed (Plumber/Certified Propane Gas Fitter/or Licensed Natural Gas Fitter) followed by the license/certification number on every printed audio, video, or computerized advertisement of any type, including all estimate forms, contract forms, and final statements of payment.

• Experience Requirements:

• An applicant for Master Plumber/Gas Fitter must have held a Journeyman license for 2 years, must have completed 3,700 hours of training under the direction and control of a licensed master plumber, and must pass a comprehensive written exam.
• An applicant for Journeyman Plumber/Gas Fitter must have held an Apprentice license for at least 4 years, must have completed 7,500 hours of training under the control and direction of a licensed master plumber, must have completed 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing, and must pass a comprehensive written exam.
• An applicant for Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter must be at least 16 years of age.
• An applicant for Master Natural Gas Fitter must have a current Master Gas Fitter license from Baltimore city, Baltimore county, or WSSC OR until 10/1/2002 have at least 4 years of experience and have completed an approved training program, OR possess an HVACR Master or Master Restricted license, have at least 2 years of gas fitting experience as a Journeyman Gas Fitter under a Master Gas Fitter, Plumber or HVACR Master, who is found to be approved , and pass an exam.
• An applicant for Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter must have a current Journeyman Gas Fitter license from Baltimore city, Baltimore county, or WSSC ORmust have acquired 3,750 working hours as an Apprentice Natural Gas Fitter over a period of at least 2 years under the direction and supervision of a license Master Gas Fitter or Master Plumber

  *Note: After 10/1/2001 Persons applying based upon experience will also be required to complete an approved training course and pass an exam.

• An applicant for an Apprentice Natural Gas Fitter must be 16 years of age.
• An applicant for Propane Gas Fitter certification must hold a current certification of completion of the National Propane Gas Association certified training program for distribution systems operations OR must hold a Gas Fitter license from a county or municipal corporation authorizing the person to provide gas services under a licensing program in existence prior to July 1, 1995 OR must demonstrate to the Board that the person’s qualifications are at least equivalent to the qualifications required by the National Propane Gas Association training program for distribution systems operations.