ND Journeyman Plumber
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ExploreAbout this exam
The North Dakota Journeyman Plumber license is a statewide credential administered through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, whose office is in Bismarck. It is intended for plumbers who have completed their apprenticeship or supervised field experience and want to work independently on plumbing systems without holding the master-level license. The Board also licenses sewer and water professionals, water conditioning professionals, and certified backflow assembly testers, and it publishes separate application, renewal, exam, and continuing education pages for each category. Candidates apply for licensure online, then schedule a licensing exam through the Board's online scheduling system; the Board notes that exams are offered at various locations across the state, and its published Bismarck sessions run 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on the listed dates. Expect the exam to test plumbing code and regulations, fixtures, faucets and appliances, water supply and distribution, drainage, waste and venting, and safety, tools, and general knowledge. Preparation should center on the code books the Board lists, the Board's laws and rules, and its published guidance on topics such as horizontal wet venting, boiler installations and inspections, and alternate island sink installation. Confirm current exam fees, schedule, and continuing education requirements directly with the Board before you apply, and use its license lookup to verify credential status. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Board.
What you'll study
About ND Journeyman Plumber preparation
Who issues the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber license?
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board, based at 1110 College Drive Suite 210 in Bismarck. The Board handles applications, license lookup, inspections, exams, continuing education, and code book references. Reach the office at 701-328-9977 or [email protected]. Always verify requirements on the Board site rather than relying on third-party summaries.
How do I apply and schedule the exam?
Use the Board's online application to apply for a plumbing, sewer and water, or water conditioning license. After that, sign up online to take your licensing exam; the Board states exams are held at various locations across the state. The Board publishes an exam schedule, general exam information, and exam fees, so confirm your date and fee there first.
What does the exam cover?
Candidates should expect coverage of plumbing code and regulations, fixtures, faucets and appliances, water supply and distribution, drainage, waste and venting, and safety, tools, and general knowledge. The Board also publishes focused material on horizontal wet venting, boiler installations and inspections, and alternate island sink installation, which are useful review topics.
When are Bismarck exams held and how long do they run?
The Board's published Bismarck sessions run 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on the scheduled dates, including December 14 and January 11. Seats and dates can change, so confirm on the Board's exam schedule page before making travel plans. Arrive early, since late arrival may cost you instructions and working time.
How hard is the exam?
The Board does not publish a difficulty rating or pass rate, so treat any claimed difficulty as opinion. Difficulty usually tracks your code fluency and speed at locating answers. Practice navigating the code books the Board lists, work timed questions, and drill the topics the Board highlights, such as wet venting and boiler inspections.
What if I fail - can I retake it?
The Board site does not state a retake policy, waiting period, or attempt limit in the material reviewed here. Contact the Board at 701-328-9977 or [email protected] to ask about retakes, fees, and scheduling before you reapply. Do not assume a fixed waiting period.
What should I study first?
Start with the Board's laws and rules and the code books it lists, since code navigation underpins most questions. Then work domain by domain: drainage, waste and venting, water supply, fixtures and appliances, and safety and tools. Finish with the Board's focused topics like horizontal wet venting and alternate island sink installation.
What causes most failures?
Common causes are weak code-book navigation, guessing instead of looking up values, and running out of time on longer questions. Another is skipping venting and wet-vent details because they seem minor. Practice locating answers quickly, read each question for the governing condition, and review missed topics rather than memorizing isolated numbers.
How do I verify a license or renew mine?
Use the Board's license lookup to view licensed plumbers, sewer and water professionals, and water conditioning professionals who currently hold a valid North Dakota license. Renewals are handled online, with separate renewal forms and fees published for 2026 and 2027. Check the continuing education requirements page for current obligations.
Is this page affiliated with the Board?
No. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. Use it to organize your preparation, but treat the Board's official pages as the authority for applications, fees, schedules, and rules.