Plumber in New Hampshire
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NH. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, New Hampshire.
Jobs (NH)
10-yr job growth
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route How to become a plumber in New Hampshire
To become a licensed plumber in New Hampshire, individuals must complete a four-year apprenticeship program under the supervision of a licensed master plumber, accumulating 8,000 hours of field experience and 600 hours of schooling. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants can apply for a Journeyman Plumber license, which requires passing the New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination. To advance to a Master Plumber license, an individual must hold a Journeyman license for at least six months and pass the Master Plumber examination. While New Hampshire does not have active reciprocity agreements with all states, it may offer a streamlined path to licensure for those with similar out-of-state requirements, and specific reciprocity is recognized for Journeyman plumbers from many states and Master plumbers from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New Hampshire. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist New Hampshire requirements
| Licensing body | New Hampshire Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination ($80) |
| Application fee | $190 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 6.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | New Hampshire recognizes journeyman and master plumber licenses from many states, often automatically.Reciprocal states: New Hampshire does not have active reciprocity agreements with other states, but may offer a streamlined path to licensure for out-of-state plumbers with similar licensing requirements. 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. Master plumbers from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland are automatically recognized. Those from Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia must provide proof of at least seven years of master-level work experience. |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprentice is 16. Journeyman and Master Plumber require being 18 years or older. A high school diploma or GED is required. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status. A background check is required. Master Plumber requires 6 months of experience as a licensed Journeyman. OSHA 10-hour training is required for Journeyman license. |
Source: New Hampshire Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to New Hampshire? See whether New Hampshire recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Plumber license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium New Hampshire license tiers
New Hampshire offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 9,000 |
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_circleNew Hampshire license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
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