Important North Dakota licensing fact: a Journeyman Plumber license and unrestricted authority to operate a plumbing business are not automatically the same thing. A licensed Master Plumber generally must be in charge of plumbing businesses in locations with public waterworks or sewerage. North Dakota law provides a specific exception allowing a licensed Journeyman Plumber to engage in the business of installing plumbing in cities with fewer than 1,000 people and in rural areas.
How Does North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Licensing Work?
North Dakota plumbing licensing is administered by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. To become eligible for the Journeyman Plumber exam, an apprentice currently needs to document both four years working in the trade and 7,600 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber.
The journeyman examination is not one long multiple-choice test. It contains five parts and mixes closed-book trade knowledge with open-book plumbing-code work. Candidates must be ready for standard questions, drain-waste-vent sizing, water-pipe sizing, code completion questions and fixture-unit calculations.
North Dakota's plumbing-business rules are another subject candidates should understand. In locations that have a public waterworks or sewerage system, a registered and licensed Master Plumber generally must be in charge of plumbing work performed by a business. A licensed Journeyman Plumber may engage in the business of installing plumbing in cities with fewer than 1,000 people and in rural areas.
Journeyman eligibility: four years AND 7,600 hours of qualifying apprentice experience.
Journeyman exam: five parts completed within a five-hour testing period.
Business authority: confirm whether a Master Plumber must be in charge or whether the small-city or rural journeyman exception applies.
The North Dakota Journeyman Plumber collection from 1 Exam Prep includes structured study options for plumbing-code review, practice questions, exam strategy and plumbing calculations. North Dakota candidates should pair general UPC preparation with direct practice using the code book currently required by the State Plumbing Board.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber and Contractor Exam Paths
Start by identifying the license or business authority that matches the plumbing work you want to perform.
| Path | Current Exam / Authority | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Apprentice Plumber | North Dakota State Plumbing Board registration | Registration, supervision and accurate documentation of qualifying apprentice hours |
| North Dakota Journeyman Plumber | North Dakota State Plumbing Board five-part Journeyman Plumber exam | Four years, 7,600 apprentice hours, current application, exam schedule and current testing instructions |
| North Dakota Master Plumber | North Dakota State Plumbing Board Master Plumber licensing path | Age, licensed journeyman experience, required hours, application and examination requirements |
| Plumbing Business in Public-System Areas | North Dakota plumber licensure law | Whether a licensed Master Plumber must be in charge of the work |
| Small-City / Rural Journeyman Business | North Dakota journeyman business exception | Whether the project is in a city under 1,000 population or in a rural area and whether local requirements apply |
| Sewer and Water Contractor | Separate North Dakota State Plumbing Board contractor classification | Practical experience, application eligibility, code book and contractor examination requirements |
Research Authority and Citation Count
Current North Dakota State Plumbing Board and 1 Exam Prep materials were compared so journeyman licensing, plumbing business authority and separate contractor classifications are not blended together.
| Verified Point | Citation Authority Count | Research Result |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Journeyman exam format | Official State Plumbing Board exam information reviewed | Five-part examination combining closed-book and open-book testing with five hours allowed |
| Journeyman qualifying experience | Official Board FAQ and licensing information reviewed | Four years AND 7,600 apprentice work hours under a licensed Master Plumber |
| Exam-day plumbing code | Official Board examination information reviewed | Current instructions require the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and a calculator |
| Journeyman retest policy | Official Board exam and FAQ information reviewed | A failed Journeyman or Master exam requires a six-month wait before rewriting |
| Plumbing business rules | Official North Dakota plumber licensure information reviewed | A Master Plumber generally must be in charge in public-system areas, with an exception for journeymen in cities under 1,000 and rural areas |
| 1 Exam Prep North Dakota collection | Direct North Dakota Journeyman Plumber collection reviewed | Collection provides UPC-based study guides and online study resources for journeyman plumbing preparation |
| 1 Exam Prep study guide | Direct product page reviewed | 2021 UPC study guide includes 990 practice questions, OSHA review, isometric analysis and plumber math review |
About exam-prep information: commercial study resources can help organize review, but the North Dakota State Plumbing Board controls the actual examination format, licensing requirements and exam-day materials.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep Breakdown
Journeyman preparation should strengthen field-level plumbing knowledge while also building speed with the North Dakota Plumbing Code. The exam contains both closed-book and open-book material, so simply knowing where a rule lives in the book is not enough. You need plumbing fundamentals that stay in your head when the code book is closed.
The most useful study routine is simple: identify the plumbing system being tested, decide whether you should answer from knowledge or locate the controlling code provision, find the correct table when a lookup is allowed, complete the required calculation and move on. The five-hour clock is generous until one sizing problem decides it deserves twenty minutes of your undivided attention.
Primary Page Focus
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep
Licensing Authority
North Dakota State Plumbing Board
Journeyman Experience
4 years AND 7,600 hours as an Apprentice Plumber under a licensed Master Plumber
Exam Parts
5 separate parts
Exam Time
5 hours total
Part 1
Closed book: 100 multiple-choice questions
Part 2
Closed book: drain, waste and vent pipe-sizing completion
Parts 3-5
Open book: 40 completion questions, water-pipe sizing and DWV with fixture units
Exam-Day Reference
2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code
Calculator / Phone
Bring a calculator; cell phones may not be used during the exam
Retest Waiting Period
6 months after a failed Journeyman exam
How to Study for the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber and Contractor Path
First, identify the exact credential you need. The state Journeyman Plumber exam tests individual trade qualification. Running a plumbing business can involve additional Master Plumber rules, local requirements or a separate Sewer and Water Contractor classification depending on the work being offered.
For journeyman prep: focus on closed-book plumbing knowledge, drainage, venting, water distribution, traps, fixtures, DWV sizing, fixture units, water-pipe sizing, plumbing math and code navigation.
For business or contractor goals: understand the Master Plumber-in-charge requirement, the small-city and rural journeyman exception, license-number and advertising rules, and separate sewer and water licensing when applicable.
For both: practice under time pressure. Knowing how to solve a sizing problem at the kitchen table and solving it while an exam clock is moving are not quite the same sport.
Plumbing Calculations and Code Navigation Strategy
North Dakota journeyman exam prep should combine practical plumbing knowledge with repeated sizing work. Pipe sizing and fixture units are built directly into the exam format, so calculations should be part of regular study instead of something saved for the final weekend.
Simplified North Dakota plumber exam prep illustration for drainage, water distribution, venting and trap-system review.
Use a repeatable lookup and calculation process instead of flipping through the code book at random. Identify the plumbing system first, determine the fixture-unit or demand information you need, and then locate the controlling table, rule or sizing method.
- Drainage Systems: drainage fixture units, horizontal piping, stacks, building drains, pipe slope and pipe sizing
- Water Distribution: water demand, developed length, pressure, fixture units and distribution pipe sizing
- Venting: vent purpose, sizing, trap protection, vent connections and approved venting methods
- Traps and Interceptors: trap seals, trap arms, interceptors, separators and prohibited arrangements
- Fixtures: fixture requirements, connections, clearances and fixture-unit values
- Code Navigation: definitions, chapters, tables, notes, exceptions and North Dakota-specific requirements
Your North Dakota Journeyman Plumber and Contractor Roadmap
Build the required apprentice experience, prepare for the five-part journeyman examination, then match your business or contractor plans to the correct North Dakota license.
1
Register and work as an apprentice
Make sure your apprentice employment is properly registered and supervised so your qualifying experience can count toward journeyman eligibility.
2
Complete four years and 7,600 hours
North Dakota currently requires both four years in the trade and 7,600 qualifying apprentice work hours under a licensed Master Plumber.
3
Apply for journeyman examination eligibility
Complete the current North Dakota State Plumbing Board application process and provide the experience information required for licensing.
4
Match the exam-day code
The Board currently tells journeyman candidates to bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code. Build your lookup speed using the actual book required for your exam.
5
Build five-part exam speed
Practice multiple-choice questions, closed-book DWV sizing, open-book completion questions, water-pipe sizing and fixture-unit calculations.
6
Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam
Use a steady five-hour pacing plan. A failed journeyman examination currently requires a six-month wait before another attempt.
7
Choose your plumbing business path
Determine whether your work requires a Master Plumber in charge, fits the small-city or rural journeyman exception, or involves separate Sewer and Water Contractor licensing.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam Sections
The State Plumbing Board currently identifies these five journeyman examination parts. The Board does not publish percentage weights for these parts on its general exam page, so the bars below identify the five required sections rather than claiming unofficial percentages.
Part 1: Closed-Book Multiple Choice
100 Questions
Part 2: Closed-Book Drain, Waste and Vent Sizing
Completion
Part 3: Open-Book Code Completion
40 Questions
Part 4: Open-Book Water Pipe Sizing
Completion
Part 5: Open-Book DWV With Fixture Units
Completion
Code-year warning: the State Plumbing Board currently requires the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code for the journeyman examination. The current 1 Exam Prep North Dakota collection includes 2021 UPC-based study resources. Use those materials for broader plumbing practice while keeping your North Dakota exam-specific code navigation tied to the exact Board-required reference.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam References
Your scheduled North Dakota examination controls the materials you need. General UPC study resources can support preparation, but the State Plumbing Board's current instructions control exam day.
| Reference | Primary Study Use | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code | Open-book code questions, water sizing, DWV work and North Dakota plumbing requirements | The State Plumbing Board currently tells Journeyman Plumber candidates to bring this code book to the examination |
| Standard Calculator | Water sizing, DWV sizing, fixture units and plumbing calculations | Bring a separate calculator because cell phones are not allowed for exam use |
| North Dakota State Plumbing Board Exam Instructions | Exam format, scheduling, code book, timing and retest rules | Review the current Board instructions again before your scheduled exam |
| 1 Exam Prep 2021 UPC Journeyman Study Guide | Practice questions, plumbing math, isometrics, OSHA review and broad UPC knowledge | Useful for structured study, but it does not replace the North Dakota exam-day code book |
| 1 Exam Prep UPC Online Course | Simulated exams, guided review, practice questions and flexible study | Combine course study with regular lookup practice in the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code |
| North Dakota Licensing Applications and Rules | Journeyman eligibility, Master Plumber path and business requirements | Use official Board information when planning licensing or plumbing-business activity |
How to Prepare for the North Dakota Open-Book and Closed-Book Plumbing Exam
Build these exam-prep habits
- Memorize essential plumbing principles for the closed-book sections
- Practice DWV sizing without depending on the code book
- Use the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code during open-book practice
- Learn definitions, chapters, tables and common code locations
- Work water-pipe sizing problems with a separate calculator
- Practice fixture-unit calculations repeatedly
- Complete full-length timed simulations before exam day
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Studying as though the entire exam is open book
- Bringing the wrong plumbing-code edition
- Depending on your cell phone as a calculator
- Ignoring DWV sizing until the last week
- Skipping water-pipe sizing practice
- Assuming field experience automatically creates fast code-navigation skills
- Forgetting the six-month retest wait when planning your first attempt
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber vs Plumbing Contractor Authority
A North Dakota Journeyman Plumber license and authority to operate every type of plumbing business are different concepts.
A Journeyman Plumber performs practical plumbing installation, alteration and repair after meeting state eligibility requirements and passing the state examination. This license confirms the individual's trade qualification.
For a plumbing business operating in a location with a public waterworks or sewerage system, North Dakota law generally requires a registered and licensed Master Plumber to be in charge of the plumbing work. In cities with fewer than 1,000 people and in rural areas, a licensed Journeyman Plumber may engage in the business of installing plumbing.
North Dakota also regulates Sewer and Water Contractors separately. A sewer and water contractor installs, plans and manages the installation and repair of building sewer and water service. That classification has its own licensing path and examination.
North Dakota Journeyman and Plumbing Contractor Comparison
These credentials involve related plumbing work, but they are not interchangeable.
| Path | Main Purpose | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Journeyman Plumber | Practical installation, alteration and repair of plumbing | Requires four years and 7,600 apprentice hours plus the five-part state examination |
| North Dakota Master Plumber | Planning, supervision and practical plumbing installation, alteration and repair | Generally must be in charge of a plumbing business in locations with public waterworks or sewerage |
| Small-City / Rural Journeyman Business | Allows a licensed journeyman to engage in the business of installing plumbing in certain locations | State-law exception applies to cities under 1,000 population and rural areas |
| Sewer and Water Contractor | Plans and manages building sewer and water service installation and repair | Separate North Dakota State Plumbing Board contractor classification |
| Apprentice Plumber | Learns and performs plumbing under required supervision | Qualifying apprentice time builds toward Journeyman Plumber examination eligibility |
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber and Contractor Prep Requirements
Journeyman Candidate
Meet State Eligibility
- Maintain proper apprentice registration
- Complete four years working in the trade
- Document at least 7,600 apprentice hours
- Work under a licensed Master Plumber
- Complete the current Journeyman Plumber application
- Prepare for the five-part state exam
Journeyman Exam Prep Candidate
Technical Study Focus
- Closed-book plumbing knowledge
- Drain, waste and vent sizing
- Fixture-unit calculations
- Water-pipe sizing
- Venting and trap protection
- Water supply and distribution
- 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code navigation
Plumbing Business / Contractor Goal
Confirm the Correct License
- Determine whether a Master Plumber must be in charge
- Review the small-city and rural journeyman exception
- Confirm local licensing requirements
- Use the proper license number when required
- Review Sewer and Water Contractor licensing when applicable
- Build toward Master Plumber eligibility when appropriate
Six-Week North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Plan
Practice with the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code for exam-specific preparation while building both closed-book knowledge and open-book navigation speed.
Week 1
Credential and Code Setup
- Confirm Board eligibility
- Review the five exam sections
- Get the required plumbing code
- Organize references
- Take a diagnostic practice set
Week 2
Drainage and Fixture Units
- Sanitary drainage systems
- Drainage fixture units
- Horizontal pipe sizing
- Required slope
- Building drains and sewers
Week 3
Vents, Traps and Interceptors
- Vent purpose and sizing
- Trap seals
- Trap arms
- Wet venting concepts
- Interceptors and separators
Week 4
Water Supply and Sizing
- Water-pipe sizing
- Fixture demand
- Available pressure
- Backflow protection
- Water distribution materials
Week 5
Closed Book + Code Speed
- Plumbing terminology
- Trade-knowledge recall
- Timed code lookups
- Table-navigation drills
- Completion questions
Week 6
Full Exam Simulation
- 100-question closed-book practice
- DWV sizing completion
- 40-question open-book practice
- Water-pipe sizing completion
- Fixture-unit completion practice
How Hard Is the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam?
The challenge comes from combining different testing skills. You need enough plumbing knowledge to answer closed-book questions, enough calculation skill to complete pipe-sizing work, and enough familiarity with the North Dakota Plumbing Code to find open-book answers efficiently.
Open-book testing can be deceptive. The code book may be sitting beside you, but the clock is sitting there too, and the clock has absolutely no sympathy for a ten-minute table hunt. Practice until common plumbing topics send you toward the correct chapter or table quickly.
The six-month waiting period after a failed Journeyman Plumber examination adds another reason to prepare carefully. Find weak areas during practice sessions, not after the real exam has already introduced them to you.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Confirm the current State Plumbing Board exam instructions
- Bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code
- Bring a separate calculator
- Bring the identification required for your exam
- Know which sections are closed book and open book
- Use a steady five-hour pacing plan
- Read sizing and fixture-unit questions carefully
Do not do this
- Bring the wrong plumbing-code edition
- Depend on your cell phone as a calculator
- Treat every section as an open-book exam
- Spend too long searching for one rule
- Ignore DWV sizing practice
- Skip water-pipe sizing preparation
- Assume field experience automatically equals exam readiness
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep Options
Journeyman Plumber UPC Study Guide
Practice-Driven Plumbing Exam Prep
- 990 practice questions with answer keys
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code review
- Plumber math review
- Isometric analysis
- OSHA review
- State-by-state licensing guidance
Journeyman Plumber UPC Online Course
Structured Online Study
- Simulated computer-based exams
- 990 practice questions
- 2021 UPC review
- Isometric analysis
- Plumber math review
- Mobile-friendly study access
Journeyman Plumber Digital Flash Cards
Fast UPC Topic Review
- 1,000+ digital flash cards
- Water supply and distribution
- Sanitary drainage systems
- Vents and traps
- Plumbing math and pressure
- Code and practice-test review
Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor Authority Are Separate North Dakota Paths
North Dakota plumbing exam prep works best when your license and business goal are clear before you start studying.
• North Dakota licenses Journeyman Plumbers through the State Plumbing Board
• Journeyman applicants currently need four years AND 7,600 hours of qualifying apprentice experience
• The Journeyman Plumber exam contains five parts and allows five hours total
• The current exam-day reference is the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code
• Plumbing businesses in public-system areas generally require a licensed Master Plumber in charge
• Licensed Journeyman Plumbers may engage in the business of installing plumbing in cities under 1,000 population and rural areas
• Sewer and Water Contractor licensing is a separate North Dakota classification
Choose your license and business goal first, then match the exam prep, experience requirements and code book to that exact path.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam
The State Plumbing Board currently requires proof of four years working in the plumbing trade AND 7,600 hours of work experience as an Apprentice Plumber under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber.
The current North Dakota Journeyman Plumber examination has five parts. The first two are closed book and the final three are open book.
Part one currently contains 100 multiple-choice questions. Part two is also closed book and requires completion of a drain, waste and vent pipe-sizing exercise.
The open-book portion currently includes 40 completion questions, a water-pipe-sizing completion and a drain, waste and vent completion involving fixture units.
The State Plumbing Board currently allows five hours to complete the Journeyman Plumber examination.
The Board currently instructs candidates to bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code. Verify the current Board instructions again before testing in case the required reference changes.
Yes. The North Dakota State Plumbing Board currently tells candidates to bring a calculator for the examination.
No. The Board currently states that cell phones are not allowed to be used during the examination. Bring a separate calculator.
A plumber who fails the North Dakota Journeyman examination currently must wait six months before rewriting the exam.
North Dakota Plumbing Business and Contractor Licensing
No. A Journeyman Plumber license establishes individual trade qualification. The authority to operate a plumbing business can depend on Master Plumber requirements, project location, local rules and the type of plumbing work being performed.
In locations with a public system of waterworks or sewerage, North Dakota law generally requires a registered and licensed Master Plumber who is responsible for the proper installation to be in charge of the work.
North Dakota law allows a licensed Journeyman Plumber to engage in the business of installing plumbing in cities with fewer than 1,000 people and in rural areas. Always confirm the specific location and any additional local requirements.
A Sewer and Water Contractor is a separate state classification for a person who installs, plans and manages the installation and repair of building sewer and water service.
No. The Sewer and Water Contractor examination is a separate exam with its own format and reference requirements. Candidates should use the State Plumbing Board's current Sewer and Water examination information when pursuing that classification.
The State Plumbing Board currently states that Master Plumber applicants must be at least 21 years old and have two years and 3,400 hours of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber.
North Dakota currently has written plumbing reciprocity agreements involving South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana, but the exact eligibility conditions vary by state and license type. Review the State Plumbing Board's current reciprocity information before applying.
1 Exam Prep and Study Strategy
The current 2021 UPC Journeyman Plumber Study Guide includes 990 practice questions with answer keys, test-taking techniques, a study plan, OSHA review, Uniform Plumbing Code review, isometric analysis, plumber math review and state-by-state licensing guidance.
The 1 Exam Prep UPC materials provide broader plumbing exam preparation and practice. The North Dakota State Plumbing Board controls the actual exam-day reference, which is currently the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code. Use the UPC resources to strengthen concepts and practice, then use the Board-required book for North Dakota-specific exam navigation.
Combine closed-book trade review with repeated DWV sizing, water-pipe sizing, fixture-unit calculations and timed code-navigation practice. Review missed questions by identifying the plumbing concept and locating the controlling rule in the correct North Dakota reference.
Practice questions are valuable, but North Dakota's five-part exam also requires sizing, calculation and reference-navigation skills. Combine questions with pipe-sizing exercises and realistic timed code-book practice.
Watch: Pass the 2026 Journeyman Plumber Exam
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep Journeyman Plumber video for additional exam-prep guidance covering plumbing licensing, drainage systems, water supply and distribution, sanitary systems, fixtures, piping, venting, water heaters, plumbing-code navigation, and contractor exam study strategy.
North Dakota exam prep tip: use this 1 Exam Prep video alongside your approved plumbing code. When the video covers drainage, venting, water supply, fixtures, pipe sizing, or another plumbing topic, practice locating the related section in your reference. For the current North Dakota Journeyman Plumber exam, always follow the State Plumbing Board's required code edition and exam-day instructions.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Use current North Dakota State Plumbing Board information together with structured 1 Exam Prep study materials. Check the official Board instructions again shortly before your exam because schedules, applications and testing procedures can change.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep
Journeyman Plumber UPC Study Guide
Journeyman Plumber UPC Online Course
Journeyman Plumber Digital Flash Cards
North Dakota Plumbing Exam Information
North Dakota Plumbing Board FAQ
North Dakota Plumbing Applications
North Dakota Plumber Licensure Rules
North Dakota Sewer and Water Licensure
North Dakota Plumbing Laws and Rules
North Dakota State Plumbing Board
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