Plumber in Nevada
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NV. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Nevada.
Jobs (NV)
10-yr job growth
Est. total cost
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in Nevada
To become a licensed plumber in Nevada, individuals can pursue either a Journeyman/Master Plumber license through the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) or a Plumbing Contractor (C-1) license through the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). Journeyman plumbers need 8,000 hours of experience, pass an exam, and pay a $300 application fee. Plumbing contractors must have four years of experience, pass the C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor Exam and a Business and Law Exam, and secure a bond. Reciprocity for the trade exam may be available for contractors from Arizona, California, and Utah, and for journeyman plumbers from a wide range of states.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Nevada. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Nevada requirements
| Licensing body | Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (for Journeyman and Master Plumbers) and Nevada State Contractors Board (for Plumbing Contractors) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | None for contractor license, but training programs may involve tuition costs. For Journeyman, 4 years in a state-registered apprenticeship or 8,000 hours of experience. For Master, 1 year (2,000 hours) as a Journeyman. |
| Experience | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Journeyman Plumber Exam (Prometric or NITC) or Master Plumber Exam (Prometric or NITC); C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor Exam & Business and Law Exam (PSI) ($125) |
| Application fee | $300 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 8.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Nevada recognizes journeyman plumber licenses from many states and waives contractor exams for some.Reciprocal states: Nevada State Contractors Board may waive the trade exam for plumbing contractors licensed in Arizona, California, and Utah if they have held an active license for at least four years with no disciplinary actions. Journeyman plumber reciprocity is recognized with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Nevada issues Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses through the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE). The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) licenses Plumbing Contractors (C-1). A bond is required for contractors, ranging from $1,000 to $500,000. Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses are renewed every two years, with 8 hours of continuing education or a 40-question open-book test required. Contractor licenses are renewed annually. |
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Nevada? See whether Nevada recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Plumber license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium Nevada license tiers
Nevada offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor | 8,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleNevada license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Plumber head-to-head
See all comparisons →Considering a Plumber vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.