Plumbing license requirements in North Carolina
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors issues plumbing licenses in North Carolina. Here's what each license level takes, from the official rules.
Issued by
North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
Official siteNorth Carolina has no license reciprocity agreements with other states, so every applicant meets these requirements and takes the exam. Official source
Requirements checked October 21, 2026
License levels
One license level covers this work.
- 1
Plumbing Contractor
Two years (4,000 hours) of full-time, on-site experience, then the exam.
Official source
Rules, fees and exam schedules change. Confirm the details with the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors before you apply.
Plumbers in North Carolina
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See a city for local wages and contractor counts.
- Plumbers employed
- 14,510
- Median hourly wage
- $27.44
Plumbing market data by city
Once you're licensed
Tradesman runs the business side for plumbers: estimates, scheduling, invoicing and payments in one app.
Plumbing licensing in North Carolina: common questions
Who issues plumbing licenses in North Carolina?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. The license levels and what each takes are listed above, with a link to the official source for each.
What does the Plumbing Contractor license take in North Carolina?
Two years (4,000 hours) of full-time, on-site experience, then the exam.
Licensed and ready for more customers?
Tradesman handles estimates, scheduling and invoicing so you can spend your time on the work. Now in early access.