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How to become a plumber in Maryland

The license steps in Maryland, from apprentice to master or contractor, taken from the official licensing pages – plus pay, apprenticeships and where to apply.

The short answer

Get a state apprentice license (age 16+), hold it at least four years with 7,500 hours of training under a master plus 32 hours of backflow training and pass the journey exam, then hold the journey license at least two years with 3,750 more hours and pass the master exam.

Note: in Maryland, licensing is split between the state and local governments. Check the local rules where you will work too.

The steps in Maryland

  1. 1

    Start as an apprentice

    Apprentice plumbers/gas fitters must hold a state apprentice license, which you can apply for starting at age 16.

  2. 2

    Earn your journeyman (first independent) license

    A journey plumber/gas fitter license requires holding an apprentice license for at least four years, 7,500 hours of training under a licensed master plumber, 32 hours of backflow prevention testing training, and passing a written exam.

  3. 3

    Master or contractor license

    A master plumber/gas fitter license requires holding a journey license for at least two years, 3,750 hours of training under a licensed master plumber, and passing a written exam.

  4. 4

    Keep your license current

    Maryland plumbing licenses expire two years from the date of issue, and there is no continuing education requirement to keep the license (plumbing inspectors need 8 hours a year).

Who licenses plumbers in Maryland

Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor). License types we found: Master Plumber/Gas Fitter, Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter, Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter, Master Natural Gas Fitter, Journey Natural Gas Fitter, Apprentice Natural Gas Fitter.

Official application page

Already licensed? Anyone can check a license on dllr.state.md.us.

Licensed in another state?

The Maryland board reciprocates only with Delaware, WSSC Water (Prince George's and parts of Montgomery County) and Baltimore County.

Finding an apprenticeship

Most plumbers learn the trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year plus classroom instruction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeships are paid jobs with progressive wage increases, classroom instruction and a portable, nationally recognized credential; programs are approved by the Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Search programs at apprenticeship.gov, or ask local plumbing contractors and union locals.

Pay and job outlook

$63,800

Median yearly pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, May 2025 (BLS).

7%

Projected job growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 openings a year (BLS).

4-5 years

Typical apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year (BLS).

National figures from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; pay varies by state and city.

Already a plumber in Maryland?

55 plumbing businesses are listed on Plumbers Pages so far. Add your business free, or see plumbers in Maryland.

Sources

Requirements come from Maryland’s official licensing pages and statutes, checked October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the licensing office before you apply.

  1. labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/pllicfaqs.shtml
  2. labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/plreq.shtml
  3. labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/
  4. labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/pllocal.shtml
  5. wsscwater.com/work-with-us/plumbing-and-inspections/plumber-information-
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
  7. U.S. Department of Labor – Apprenticeship.gov for career seekers

General information, not legal advice. All states · How we write our guides

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