If you’re searching for a fulfilling and practical career in New Hampshire, consider becoming a plumber.
This is a trade that sometimes goes undetected yet is extremely important to our daily lives.
Plumbing is the backbone of modern infrastructure, ensuring clean water supply and efficient wastewater removal.
If this sounds like the career you want to pursue, let this article serve you as a guide on how to become a plumber in New Hampshire.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in New Hampshire
To begin your plumbing journey in New Hampshire you must be at least 16 years old.
You must be a High School Graduate or have the GED equivalent, and be a U.S. citizen or have a permanent resident status.
New Hampshire issues the following licenses:
- Apprentice Plumber License
- Journeyman Plumber License
- Master Plumber License
Apprentice Plumber License
The apprentice plumber license is essentially the training you must obtain before you can apply for the other licenses.
There are a few ways you can get your training done:
- Trade school/college courses
- Working directly under the supervision of a Journeyman or Master plumber
- Apprenticeship program
After choosing how you will get your training you must register with an apprentice agreement letter with the Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board to obtain an apprentice identification card.
There is a $90 apprentice plumber registration fee you will need to pay.
Your training/apprenticeship usually lasts for 4 years.
After completing 4-years of apprenticeship you can go on to take an exam and receive your apprentice plumber license.
To pass the exam you must receive a score of 70% or higher.
Journeyman Plumber License
To apply for the Journeyman Plumber License you must be at least 18 years old.
You are required to have obtained at least 6,000 hours of work as an apprentice (3 years).
The journeyman/master plumber you worked under the supervision of should provide you with a letter of recommendation saying that you are competent to take the journeyman exam.
You must submit an application form pay the $190 application fee, and go on to take the journeyman exam.
The exam consists of 100 questions, and it has a 3-hour time limit.
The questions include:
- 10 questions: Calculations
- 20 questions: Drainage Requirements
- 10 questions: Fixtures and Faucets
- 10 questions: Plumbing Fundamentals
- 10 questions: Scope and Administration
- 10 questions: Traps and Interceptors
- 20 questions: Venting Regulations
- 10 questions: Water Distribution
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam and receive your Journeyman plumber license.
The exam fee for Journeyman differs depending on who is issuing the exam:
- NH Gasfitters: $100
- Prov: $80
Master Plumber License
To become a Master Plumber in New Hampshire you must be at least 18 years old, and must have a valid New Hampshire journeyman plumber license that is at least 6 months old.
In addition to this, you can also apply for this license if you’re an already licensed master plumber in another state.
You must submit an application form along with a $310 application fee, and a letter of recommendation from the Master plumber you worked for as proof that you are competent to take the exam.
The exam fee differs depending on who is issuing the exam:
- NH Gasfitters: $100
- Prov: $80
The exam consists of 100 questions and has a 3-hour time limit.
The questions include:
- 15 questions: Calculations
- 15 questions: Drainage Requirements
- 10 questions: Fixtures and Faucets
- 10 questions: Plumbing Fundamentals
- 15 questions: Scope and Administration
- 10 questions: Traps and Interceptors
- 15 questions: Venting Regulations
- 10 questions: Water Distribution
If you receive a score of 75% or higher you have passed the exam and can go on to receive your Master Plumber License.
Plumbing Schools in New Hampshire
The state of New Hampshire offers a variety of training choices from trade schools to masterful apprenticeship programs to prepare its aspiring plumbers for the fieldwork ahead.
New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades offers both a course called Plumbing 101 and an apprenticeship course.
Plumbing 101
Plumbing 101 is a pre-apprentice course to aid in finding employment in the plumbing field.
Students will learn about vocabulary, repairs, and general plumbing practices in this course.
With a focus on safety, they will learn about common tools and their applications.
Their “Hands-On” lab will be used by students to learn how to build and set out basic drainage systems, venting, and domestic water pipes.
Basic soldering methods and the various kinds of piping materials, including copper, PVC, and cast iron, will be covered for the students.
This is a 90-hour program.
The course is being held both in Manchester and Hampton.
The total tuition of the course is $2400.
Apprentice Course
The apprentice course is a 160-hour program and an additional minimum of 6 hours of plumbing safety.
This course is created to prepare you for the Journeyman Plumber License.
The course has a starting date each September and February.
Classes are held 2 nights a week from 5:30 to 9:30 pm for 20 weeks.
The full tuition costs $1500.
To learn more about the courses and how to apply visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades | Manchester location: 7 Perimeter Rd Manchester NH 03103 Hampton Location: 109 Towle Farm Rd Hampton NH 03842 |
Salary
Plumbers are adequately paid for the hard work they do in New Hamshire.
The annual salary goes anywhere from $48250 to $81847 with the average throughout the state currently being $64,984.
Hudson, Londonderry, Merrimack, and Nashua are all cities that currently tie for the highest average annual salary, estimated at $69525.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Hudson | $69,525 |
| Londonderry | $69,525 |
| Merrimack | $69,525 |
| Nashua | $69,525 |
| Salem | $68,499 |
| Derry | $67,590 |
| Dover | $66,126 |
| Rochester | $65,856 |
| Concord | $65,818 |
| Manchester | $65,805 |
Regional Salary in New Hampshire
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 90 | $57,830 | $27.8 | $75,840 | $37,420 |
| Manchester, NH | 570 | $58,900 | $28.32 | $78,020 | $37,590 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 510 | $60,990 | $29.32 | $79,250 | $42,430 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I renew my New Hampshire plumbing license?
New Hamshire plumbing licenses expire every 2 years on the last day of the licensee’s birth month, so you should have your license renewed by then (for example: if your birthday is in January, you should have your license renewed by January 31st every 2 years).
How much do plumbing license renewals cost in New Hampshire?
The renewal fees are different for Journeyman and Master Plumbers.
- Journeyman Plumbing License renewal – $180
- Master Plumbing License Renewal – $300
Who is responsible for the plumbing exams in New Hampshire?
In New Hamshire, there are 2 exam providers:
- Prov
- NH Gasfitters
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