North Carolina Plumbing Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (SBPHFSC) licenses plumbing contractors statewide under N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87 Article 2. North Carolina issues two plumbing classes — Class I Plumbing (the standard plumbing contractor credential authorizing all plumbing work) and Class II Plumbing (a restricted credential limited to single-family residential plumbing). The Board also issues separate Heating Group 1, 2, and 3 credentials for HVAC work and Fire Sprinkler credentials. Plumbing, heating, and fire sprinkler contracting in North Carolina are regulated by a single specialty board distinct from the general contractors board.

Regulatory Oversight

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87 Article 2; 21 N.C. Admin. Code Chapter 50, North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (SBPHFSC) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. SBPHFSC licenses plumbing, heating, and fire sprinkler contractors statewide, adopts the North Carolina State Plumbing Code by reference, and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://nclicensing.org/
Address: 1109 Dresser Court, Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 875-3612

Who May Apply

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No North Carolina residency requirement.

Good moral character

SBPHFSC conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history background check via the NC State Bureau of Investigation.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility requires two years (4,000 hours) of qualifying plumbing work for Class I; one year (2,000 hours) for Class II — both under the supervision of a licensed Plumbing Contractor, documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Notarized supervisor affidavits from each licensed Plumbing Contractor documenting hours and scope
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Apprenticeship or trade school transcripts (where applicable)

Education substitution

Approved plumbing apprenticeship and accredited plumbing trade school programs may substitute for portions of the experience requirement on a sliding scale set by SBPHFSC rule.

Examination Requirements

The licensing examination is delivered by SBPHFSC (in-house) at the Board headquarters in Raleigh. All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

NC Plumbing Contractor Examination — North Carolina State Plumbing Code, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $100 examination fee paid to SBPHFSC at application.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken by paying a new $100 fee. The application remains valid for one year.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.

General liability

SBPHFSC does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in North Carolina under N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-13 for any business with three or more employees.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$50
Examination	$100
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every year)	$150

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the North Carolina Plumbing Contractor (P-I or P-II) comes due every year. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $150. North Carolina plumbing contractor licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: SBPHFSC requires continuing education hours covering NC State Plumbing Code updates each renewal cycle.

Downloadable Asset

2026 North Carolina Plumber License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by North Carolina for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SBPHFSC–Georgia reciprocity for active master plumbers in good standing.
South Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SBPHFSC–South Carolina reciprocity.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SBPHFSC–Tennessee reciprocity.

NASCLA does not administer a plumbing examination. SBPHFSC maintains bilateral plumbing reciprocity agreements with neighboring southeastern states.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Plumber license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Application Process, Step by Step

Choose Class I or Class II. Class I authorizes all plumbing work statewide. Class II is limited to single-family residential plumbing.
Document the required hours of qualifying experience. 4,000 hours for Class I, 2,000 hours for Class II, under a licensed Plumbing Contractor. Apprenticeship and trade school credit substitute on a sliding scale.
Submit the SBPHFSC application. File with the application fee, notarized supervisor affidavits, and any education credit documentation.
Pass the SBPHFSC examination at 75%. Score 75% or better on the 100-question exam covering the North Carolina State Plumbing Code, business and law.
Receive the Plumbing Contractor license. SBPHFSC issues the license after the exam is passed and all documentation is complete. The license must be renewed annually.

Document Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with SBPHFSC:

☐ SBPHFSC application with $50 fee
☐ Notarized supervisor affidavits totaling the required hours of experience
☐ SBPHFSC examination pass certificate at 75%+
☐ NC State Bureau of Investigation background check
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate for any business with three or more employees

Recommended References

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

North Carolina State Plumbing Code (2018 edition through at least March 31, 2026; 2024 edition thereafter) — North Carolina Building Code Council. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the SBPHFSC test center.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87 Article 2 and 21 NCAC Chapter 50 — State of North Carolina. Licensing law and rules.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a North Carolina Plumber filing.

Choosing the wrong class

A Class II contractor who plumbs a multifamily building is operating outside the licensed scope. Class I is required for any non-single-family residential or commercial work.

Counting unsupervised hours

Only hours worked under a licensed Plumbing Contractor count toward the experience requirement. Self-employed unlicensed plumbing experience does not qualify.

Ignoring the 2026 code transition

The 2018 edition of the NC State Plumbing Code remains in effect through at least March 31, 2026 due to the Disaster Recovery Act.

Missing the bilateral reciprocity opportunity

Active master plumbers from Georgia, South Carolina, or Tennessee may apply via reciprocity without retaking the trade exam.

Confusing the SBPHFSC with the NCLBGC

Plumbing is regulated by SBPHFSC, not NCLBGC. Applicants who file plumbing applications with the general contractors board waste fees and time.

Other North Carolina Trade Licenses

If the Plumber license is not the right fit, the following published North Carolina trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Questions Applicants Ask

What is the difference between North Carolina Class I and Class II Plumbing Contractor?

Class I (Plumbing) is the standard credential authorizing all plumbing work statewide. Class II (Restricted Plumbing) is limited to single-family residential plumbing and requires fewer experience hours.

How many hours of experience does North Carolina require for a Plumbing Contractor license?

Two years (4,000 hours) for Class I and one year (2,000 hours) for Class II, both under the supervision of a licensed Plumbing Contractor. Approved apprenticeship and trade school credit substitute on a sliding scale.

What is the passing score on the North Carolina plumbing contractor exam?

A score of 75% or better on the 100-question exam covering the North Carolina State Plumbing Code, business and law.

Does North Carolina reciprocate plumbing credentials?

Yes. SBPHFSC maintains bilateral plumbing reciprocity agreements with Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Active master plumbers in good standing in those states may apply for the North Carolina credential without retaking the trade exam.

How often does the North Carolina Plumbing Contractor license renew?

Annually. Renewal requires the standard fee plus continuing education hours covering NC State Plumbing Code updates.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-27 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-25