Plumber Classes in Maryland (Top Schools)

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In Maryland, it is a rule that only licensed plumbers can do any work.

The licensing process is straightforward, as you must work as a plumbing apprentice for a minimum of four years which is considered a starting point.

Finishing this makes you eligible to apply for your journey license and take the appropriate exam.

Furthermore, if you would like to pursue the master plumber status, you can do so after another two years, and after successfully passing the exam.

Maryland Plumbing License Reciprocity

Maryland has reciprocity for plumbers with the state of Delaware.

This means that if you already have a journey or master plumbing license from either Delaware or Maryland, you can begin working in either state.

Those people who possess a license and are interested in working in a different state or are coming to Maryland from another state should submit a reciprocal licensing application to the State Plumbing Board.

Besides the application, they have to submit some supporting documents, including:

  • Verification letter from Baltimore County, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) or State of Delaware
  • Natural Gas Fitter verification form
  • Certificate of Insurance (your name must appear on the certificate and the Maryland State Board of Plumbing must be named as the certificate holder)
  • Copy of current license
  • Copy of current master HVACR or master restricted (applicable to master natural gas fitter reciprocal licensing only)
  • Copy of Photo ID or driver’s license
  • Backflow Certification (applicable to master and journey plumbing/gas fitter only)

Once you gather all these, you should email them to the State Plumbing Board at DLOPLplumbing_DLLR@maryland.gov.

Maryland Master Plumbing License Requirements

A master plumber is a person who is licensed by the Board to provide plumbing services and natural gas services and to become a master plumber in Maryland, you must meet a specific set of licensing requirements.

Besides the fact that you must hold a journey plumbing contractor license for at least two years prior to your master license application, you must also complete 3,750 hours of training under the direction of a licensed master plumber and pass the written licensing examination.

Supporting documents must be submitted with your application and the $70 license fee.

You can submit your application and pay the fee online, at the State Plumbing Board’s License Application portal.

Master Plumbers Exam

Prospective master plumbers are required to sit and pass the plumbing master examination, offered by PSI Exams.

The exam consists of 100 questions that have to be answered within 4 hours of time.

The subjects are the following:

  • Plumbing fundamentals and safety
  • Materials and specifications
  • Traps, interceptors, and backwater valves
  • Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances
  • Water supply systems
  • Backflow prevention
  • Drain, waste, and vent systems
  • Special topics
  • Gas appliances and piping
  • Plumbing mathematics

This is an open-book exam, but only the following materials can be used during the testing:

  • National Standard Plumbing Code Illustrated
  • NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code
  • Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters
  • Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926, or Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 Selections by PSI
  • Any standard backflow text

To be considered successful on this exam, you must get at least 70% of the questions.

It costs $65 to take the exam.

Due to the fact that all licenses will expire two years from the date they were issued, you must continually renew your master plumbing license in Maryland.

Maryland Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements

If you want to become a journey plumber in Maryland, you have to meet the following criteria:

  • You must hold an apprentice license for at least four years prior to your license application.
  • You must complete a minimum of 7,500 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
  • You must complete a minimum of 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing.
  • You must pass the licensing examination.

Plumbing Journeyman Exam

The journey exam covers the following areas:

  • Plumbing fundamentals and safety
  • Materials and specifications
  • Traps, interceptors, and backwater valves
  • Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances
  • Water supply systems
  • Backflow preventions
  • Gas appliances and piping
  • Plumbing mathematics

Maryland Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

It is true that the majority of people want to reach a master or journey plumber level, but that is only possible if they finish their apprenticeship.

An apprentice in Maryland is licensed by the Board to assist a master plumber or a holder of a limited master plumber license in providing plumbing services.

You must register as an apprentice with the State Plumbing Board.

Eligible to apply are people who are at least 16 years old; have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in any state or federal court; and have never had this type of license denied, suspended, or revoked by any jurisdiction.

You must also pay a $15 application fee and submit your apprentice application online via the Maryland Department of Labor website.

Plumbing Trade Schools in Maryland

Community College of Baltimore County – Public – Locations: Catonsville, Dundalk, Essex

Tuition & Costs: $235 per credit hour

The phone number for all locations: (443)-840-2222

  • Catonsville – 800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228
  • Dundalk – 7200 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21222
  • Essex – 7201 Rossville Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21237

Hagerstown Community College – Public – Location: Hagerstown

Tuition & Costs: $190.00 per credit hour

Contact Information:

(240)-500-2000

11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21742

Montgomery College – Public – Locations: Germantown, Rockville, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Westfield

Tuition & Costs: $341.80 per credit hour

The phone number for all locations: (240)-567-5000

  • Germantown – 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876
  • Rockville – 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850
  • Takoma Park/Silver Spring – 7600 Takoma Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
  • Gaithersburg – 12 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
  • Westfield South Center – 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 306, Wheaton, MD 20902

Salary

The average Plumber salary in Maryland is $59164.

Annual Salary Range:

$51K
$59K
$67K

Average Salary of Plumbers in Maryland

City NameSalary
Baltimore$58,988
Frederick$61,411
Columbia$58,893
Germantown$61,750
Gaithersburg$63,332
Bowie$63,371
Rockville$63,428
Hagerstown$58,120
Annapolis$60,645
Salisbury$61,048
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD4,960$59,960$28.83$82,760$36,190
California-Lexington Park, MD110$51,380$24.7$73,920$35,950
Cumberland, MD-WV150$49,700$23.89$61,420$35,710
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV250$51,070$24.55$74,430$31,810
Salisbury, MD-DE610$50,440$24.25$68,360$30,940
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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