Licensing Guides
Rhode Island Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in Rhode Island
Plumbing, RI
Table of Contents
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing License in Rhode Island?
Does My Rhode Island Plumbing License Work in Any Other States?
Other Requirements Unique to Rhode Island
Continuing Education
As with other skilled trades, most states require training and licensure before you can legally install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems. While the plumbing trade has been around since the 1800s, today’s plumbers need a wide range of skills to work in residential and commercial settings. Depending on the nature of the job, plumbers often work alongside electricians, HVAC techs, general contractors and other professionals in the construction industry.
Learning the art of plumbing takes years, but once you complete the necessary training, your skills will be in high demand across Rhode Island and beyond.
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), there are roughly 482,700 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationwide, and 2,100 work in Rhode Island. The BLS predicts employment to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032 nationwide, and that growth rate is expected to be more than eight times higher in Rhode Island — projected at 17%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
There's more good news. Contractors are hiring according to the Associated General Contractors of America 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey which says 93% of firms in the U.S. reported unfilled hourly craft positions, so if you get the training you need you will have many work opportunities.
Licensing requirements for plumbers vary from state to state. In Rhode Island, plumbing candidates can pursue apprentice, journeyman, and master plumbing licenses. Read on to learn more about becoming a licensed plumber in the Ocean State.
Rhode Island Plumbing License Types and Requirements
Is a license required for plumbing professionals in Rhode Island? Yes.
Rhode Island requires a state-issued license for apprentices, journeymen, and master plumbers. Additionally, plumbing professionals who work on underground utility lines need to hold an underground utility contractor’s license.
Who Issues Plumbing Licenses in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s (DLT) Plumbers and Irrigators branch is responsible for issuing plumbing licenses across the state and contractors must also register with the State of Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.
Steps to Getting a Plumbing License in Rhode Island
Gain the necessary work experience and classroom training as an apprentice to qualify to test for your journeyman plumbers license.
Become a journeyman plumber.
After at least one year as a journeyman pass the exam and become a master plumber.
Obtain an independent plumbing contractor's license.
Rhode Island Apprentice Plumber License
A plumbing apprenticeship is the first step to starting a career in the plumbing industry. Candidates typically need a high school diploma or GED, photo ID, and a valid driver’s license to be eligible. The apprentice license allows an individual to perform plumbing work under the direction of a licensed journeyman or master plumber.
To start the process, candidates need to apply directly to a company or sponsor that offers plumbing apprentice programs, and then register with the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship.
Apprentice plumbers in Rhode Island need to complete at least five years of on-the-job training as well as 576 hours of related classroom instruction approved by the DLT. There is no registration fee or required testing to become an apprentice plumber.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, sponsoring companies need to fill out the Apprenticeship Completion Form and submit it to the DLT within 45 days.
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Rhode Island Journeyman Plumber License
After completing the required work experience as an apprentice plumber, candidates become eligible to take the journeyman plumber examination, which consists of 50 multiple choice questions and covers the Rhode Island Edition of the BOCA International Plumbing Code 2006 and the Rhode Island Edition of State Building Code SBC-3.
The journeyman plumber exam includes terminology and calculations, materials and material standards, joints and connections, traps and cleanouts, plumbing fixtures, hangers and supports, indirect waste piping, water distribution systems, sanitary drainage systems, vents and venting systems, cross connections, storm drains, and more.
You must complete the plumbing exam in person at the following location:
RI Department of Labor and TrainingBuilding 73-1, Conference Room1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02920-0943(401) 462-8580, Option #4
There’s a non-refundable application filing fee of $75, as well as a $72 license fee. Journeyman licenses require renewal every two years at a cost of $72.
Rhode Island Master Plumber License
Master plumbers typically perform advanced plumbing work--such as installing and repairing water systems in residential and commercial buildings--and oversee apprentice and journeyman plumbers. Additionally, master plumbers need a strong understanding of local building and plumbing codes, safety regulations, and energy efficiency.
To become eligible for the Rhode Island master plumber exam, candidates need a minimum of five years of proven work experience and hold a journeyman plumber license for no less than one year.
The exam covers the same topics as the journeyman exam, and you must complete the exam in person at the following location:
RI Department of Labor and TrainingBuilding 73-1, Conference Room1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02920-0943(401) 462-8580, Option #4
There’s a non-refundable application filing fee of $75, as well as a $240 license fee. Master plumber licenses require renewal every two years at a cost of $240.
Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractors License
The State of Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board defines an underground utility contractor as an individual who performs the installation, repair, alteration, or replacement of underground utilities, sewer lines, storm drainage lines, or water lines.
While this license requires no previous work experience or training, candidates must complete the pre-license application, submit a $50 processing fee, and successfully pass the open-book licensing exam, administered by PSI Exams. Applicants must pay a $180 application fee and, after successful completion of the exam, pay an additional $200 to obtain the license. Master plumbers and master pipefitters are exempt from needing this type of license.
National Plumbing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (American Society of Sanitary Engineers, or ASSE, Certifications) and other professional certifications can add to your marketability and increase your opportunity to make more money.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing License in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, it takes five years of on-the-job experience and 576 hours of training in the classroom to earn a journeyman plumber license. After working for one full calendar year as a journeyman, candidates can apply to take the master plumber examination.
Benefits of Getting Your Plumber’s License in Rhode Island
There are many benefits to getting licensed in the plumbing field in New Jersey:
Most importantly, it is required by law in Rhode Island to be licensed through the state to perform plumbing work.
You have the opportunity as an apprentice to earn as you learn with a guarantee of pay increases as you develop new skills.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.By meeting the high standards set in Rhode Island you will receive industry-recognized credentials that can go with you anywhere.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market and increases your earning potential.
You can own your own business and be your own boss.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Plumber in Rhode Island?
The annual mean wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Rhode Island is $73,400 according to the BLS. And, according to Indeed.com, the average salaries for plumbing professionals in Rhode Island increase with experience and training.
Apprentice: The average salary for an apprentice plumber is $23.58 per hour in Rhode Island and $5,500 overtime per year.
Journeyman: The average salary for a journeyman plumber is $40.66 per hour in Rhode Island and $6,750 overtime per year.
Plumber salaries can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a plumbing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one plumbing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
Rhode Island Plumbing Training Programs and Trade Schools
Rhode Island offers a wide variety of training opportunities across the state, including trade schools and community colleges that offer plumbing programs.
Some of the top training schools include:
Community College of Rhode Island, Warwick, RI: offers an accredited apprenticeship program that satisfies the state requirement for educational hours.
Rhode Island Master Plumber & Mechanical Association, Cranston, RI: offers an accredited apprenticeship program that satisfies the state requirement for educational hours.
New England Institute of Technology, East Greenwich, RI: offers an associate’s degree in heating and plumbing science that satisfies the state requirement for educational hours.
For more information, visit the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship.
Does My Rhode Island Plumbing License Work in Any Other States?
No, Rhode Island does not have direct reciprocity with any other states for plumbing licenses. However, Rhode Island does allow a plumber from another state to apply for licensure if they can document that they are duly licensed by examination in a state(s) other than Rhode Island and has completed training equal to or greater than Rhode Island's own licensing requirements. Candidates must show proof of out-of-state licensure as well as any required on-the-job and classroom training.
Other Requirements Unique to Rhode Island
To keep your state-issued license current, Rhode Island requires you to renew it before it expires every two years. The fees for renewal are listed here. Contractors must renew registrations every year. You can do that online through a secure portal.
Continuing Education
Rhode Island requires 7 hours of continuing education for every two year cycle of licensing for both journeyman and master plumbers. You must receive that continuing education from an approved provider.
Additional Resources for Rhode Island Plumbers
You can stay up to date on all plumbing industry news several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top plumbing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
