The Maryland Plumber Guide

Plumbing in Maryland is regulated by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing at the state level, except in Baltimore County and areas served by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Committee (WSSC), which have their own licensing. The state requires 4 years as a licensed apprentice and 7,500 hours of training under a master plumber to reach the journeyman level.

1. Journey plumbers must hold an apprentice license for at least four years. (Source: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/plreq.shtml; verbatim: “Person must have held an apprentice license for at least four years;”)

2. Journey plumbers must complete 7,500 hours of training under a licensed master plumber. (Source: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/plreq.shtml; verbatim: “Person must have completed 7,500 hours of training under the control and direction of a licensed master plumber;”)

3. Journey plumbers must pass a written exam. (Source: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/plreq.shtml; verbatim: “Person must pass a comprehensive written examination.”)

4. Apprentice plumbers must be at least 16 years old. (Source: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/plreq.shtml; verbatim: “Person must be at least 16 years of age.”)

Registered apprenticeship oversight in Maryland runs through Maryland Office of Apprenticeship (Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning) (https://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/appr/).

The Maryland State Board of Plumbing licenses individuals who provide plumbing services statewide.

Baltimore County and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Committee (WSSC) issue their own plumbing licenses.

The Office of Apprenticeship within DWDAL acts as Maryland's State Apprenticeship Agency.