How to become a plumber in Rhode Island

The steps in Rhode Island

1. 1

   Start as an apprentice

   Apprentice plumbers who agree to work at least 8,000 hours over at least five years under a master or journeyperson plumber must be registered with the Department of Labor and Training.

2. 2

   Earn your journeyman (first independent) license

   Journeyperson plumber applicants must have been a registered apprentice for at least four years and show 8,000 hours of on-the-job training in Rhode Island over a five-year period, including 576 hours of related instruction, then pass the exam.

3. 3

   Master or contractor license

   Master plumber applicants must have held a Rhode Island journeyperson plumber license for at least one year.

4. 4

   Keep your license current

   Licenses expire on the license holder's birthday every other year (odd or even years depending on birth year), and master and journeyperson plumbers must complete board-set continuing education of up to 15 hours before renewing.

Who licenses plumbers in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (Board of Examiners of Plumbers). License types we found: Master Plumber, Journeyperson Plumber, Apprentice Plumber.

Official application page

Already licensed? Anyone can check a license on dltweb.dlt.ri.gov.

Licensed in another state?

A journeyperson applicant can qualify with a plumbing license issued by another state if that state's requirements are the same as Rhode Island's; no general reciprocity agreement list was found.

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

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

Already a plumber in Rhode Island?

18 plumbing businesses are listed on Plumbers Pages so far. Add your business free, or see plumbers in Rhode Island.

Sources

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

1. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20/5-20-25.htm
2. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20/5-20-17.htm
3. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20/5-20-16.htm
4. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20/5-20-23.htm
5. dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation
6. dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation/trade-license-a
7. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20/INDEX.htm
8. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20/5-20-8.htm
9. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
10. U.S. Department of Labor – Apprenticeship.gov for career seekers

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