North Dakota State Plumbing Board • Five-Part Exam • 100 Multiple-Choice Questions • 40 Completion Questions • Pipe Sizing • 300 Minutes • 70% Passing • 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code
Ready to become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in North Dakota? This guide explains the state licensing rules, apprenticeship experience, five-part Board examination, plumbing calculations, drainage and venting diagrams, approved plumbing code, and related study products available from Contractor Exam Preps.
Plumbing is one of those trades that people appreciate most when something stops working.
When clean water reaches a kitchen sink, nobody throws a celebration.
When a drain backs up, everybody suddenly becomes very interested in plumbing!
Plumbers protect drinking water, move wastewater safely, install fixtures, maintain piping, and help buildings operate as intended.
That responsibility requires practical experience and knowledge of plumbing codes.
North Dakota recognizes licensed Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumbers.
The Journeyman Plumber credential is an important step for people who have completed qualifying apprenticeship training and want to demonstrate trade competence.
A North Dakota Journeyman Plumber is an individual who performs practical plumbing installation, alteration, and repair as a principal occupation.
The definition appears in the state's plumbing law.
The license recognizes technical plumbing experience and successful completion of the required examination.
Journeyman plumbers work with water supply, drainage, venting, fixtures, fittings, traps, water heaters, and related plumbing systems.
They must understand approved installation methods, proper sizing, safety, and the plumbing code.
The credential is not identical to a Master Plumber license.
It also does not automatically authorize someone to operate every type of plumbing contracting business in every North Dakota location.
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board regulates the state's plumbing licensure program.
The Board administers the Journeyman examination itself.
That means North Dakota candidates should not assume they are preparing for a PSI, ICC, or other national testing-provider examination.
Applicants submit the required application and experience documentation to the State Plumbing Board.
The Board determines examination eligibility and publishes the examination schedule.
Successful candidates complete the licensing process through the Board.
The official North Dakota State Plumbing Board describes a five-part Journeyman Plumber examination.
The examination has both closed-book and open-book sections.
The five parts are:
This format is different from a simple 100-question written examination.
Candidates must prepare for practical drawing and sizing work as well as written code questions.
North Dakota allows five hours to complete the examination.
That equals 300 minutes.
Because the test includes pipe-sizing and completion sections, dividing the full time limit by 100 multiple-choice questions would produce a misleading pacing estimate.
Candidates should practice the complete five-part examination workflow.
Reserve adequate time for sizing calculations and careful review.
North Dakota Administrative Code section 62-02-01-03 establishes a 70% passing grade for the Journeyman Plumber examination.
Do not interpret that as merely answering 70 of the first 100 multiple-choice questions correctly.
The Board administers additional completion and sizing sections.
Applicants should follow the Board's current grading instructions for the examination as a whole.
Partly.
The first two parts are closed book.
Parts three, four, and five are open book.
That makes North Dakota's examination different from plumbing tests that are entirely open book.
For the closed-book portions, candidates need strong recall of plumbing principles and sizing methods.
For the open-book portions, they need to locate the correct code rule or table efficiently.
Both skills matter.
The State Plumbing Board instructs examination candidates to bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
The state's code is based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code, commonly called the UPC.
North Dakota adopts the specified UPC provisions along with its state plumbing regulations.
The code is not based on the International Plumbing Code, or IPC.
UPC and IPC are different plumbing code families.
Their technical requirements and tables are not always interchangeable.
That matters when selecting study books.
For this examination, prioritize the official North Dakota code rather than assuming any plumbing book will match.
The Board's published requirements identify four years of plumbing experience and 7,600 hours of qualifying work.
The standard pathway involves apprenticeship under a licensed Master Plumber.
Apprentices must register with the State Plumbing Board within thirty days of beginning work to receive credit for their hours.
Applicants should maintain accurate records of their employment, supervision, and qualifying experience.
The Board may grant appropriate credit for certain prior practical experience or approved plumbing education, subject to its rules.
Applicants should never assume that classroom study automatically replaces the full apprenticeship requirement.
The State Plumbing Board lists the Journeyman examination fee as $50.
The licensing application fee is a separate charge.
Applicants should review current Board applications for the complete payment instructions.
The Board's current annual Journeyman license renewal fee is $100.
Examination, application, initial licensing, and renewal expenses should be considered separately.
North Dakota requires a six-month waiting period before a failed Journeyman Plumber examination can be retaken.
That is one reason preparation matters.
Failing the examination can delay the next opportunity by half a year.
Use practice questions, pipe-sizing exercises, and codebook review to identify weaknesses before test day.
Water supply systems bring potable water into a building and distribute it to plumbing fixtures.
Study water service piping, distribution layouts, water demand, fixture units, pressure, friction loss, fittings, valves, and pipe sizing.
Know how to use the appropriate water distribution tables in the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Review the relationship between fixture demand and pipe capacity.
Practice water-pipe sizing problems because they are directly relevant to the open-book portion of the Board examination.
Drain, waste, and vent systems are commonly called DWV systems.
They move wastewater out of buildings while helping preserve plumbing trap seals.
Study horizontal drains, vertical stacks, building drains, fixture connections, pipe slopes, cleanouts, and vent arrangements.
Learn to calculate drainage fixture units.
Practice identifying suitable pipe sizes from approved code tables.
North Dakota specifically includes DWV sizing in both a closed-book section and an open-book section.
That makes this one of the most important preparation topics.
Isometric drawings show how piping connects and changes direction within a three-dimensional system.
Plumbing candidates should recognize horizontal and vertical piping, stacks, vents, branch drains, fixture connections, and fitting arrangements.
Practice tracing a system from a fixture to the building drain.
Mark appropriate pipe sizes and fixture unit values during home study.
Learn how to interpret a drainage diagram without confusing a vent connection with a waste connection.
Drawings become easier with repetition.
The first few might look like an extremely complicated game of connect-the-dots.
After enough practice, the system begins to make sense.
Study water closets, lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, urinals, floor drains, and drinking fountains.
Review the installation requirements for fixtures and fittings.
Understand the difference between water supply fixture units and drainage fixture units.
These quantities serve different sizing purposes.
Practice using the correct tables and avoid mixing the two measurements.
Traps help prevent sewer gas from entering occupied spaces.
Cleanouts provide access for maintaining drainage piping.
Interceptors and separators protect systems from materials that should not enter ordinary drainage piping.
Study trap seals, trap arms, prohibited arrangements, cleanout placement, and interceptor applications.
Understand how correct venting helps protect a trap seal.
Venting is a major subject for Journeyman plumbing study.
Review individual vents, common vents, wet venting, vent terminals, vent sizing, and approved connections.
Practice tracing vent lines through an isometric diagram.
Understand why venting rules protect drainage system performance and trap seals.
Study North Dakota-specific venting requirements rather than relying entirely on generalized code examples.
Water heaters are another important plumbing topic.
Review equipment installation, temperature protection, pressure relief, drainage provisions, and approved connections.
Study the safe handling of tools, materials, and piping equipment.
Understand plumbing inspection and testing procedures.
Safe work practices protect workers, property owners, and building occupants.
The Journeyman credential is an individual plumbing license.
In locations with public waterworks or sewerage systems, North Dakota law generally requires a plumbing installation business to have a licensed Master Plumber in charge.
However, the law includes a specific exception for cities with fewer than 1,000 people and rural areas, where a licensed Journeyman Plumber may engage in the business of installing plumbing.
Do not assume that this exception removes other business registration, permit, insurance, or local requirements.
Review North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-18 for the exact legal scope.
Contractor Exam Preps offers a Journeyman Plumber Exam Study Guide Based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.
This printed guide includes 990 practice questions, answer keys, UPC review, plumbing mathematics, isometric drawings, OSHA topics, and test-taking methods.
It follows the same UPC code family as North Dakota's adopted plumbing code.
However, the guide is based on the newer 2021 UPC, while North Dakota's official code is the 2018 edition.
Use it for supplemental practice, not as a substitute for the state code.
The store also sells the Journeyman Plumber Test Success Online Course Based on the 2021 UPC.
The course includes instructional videos, simulated exams, plumbing calculations, and isometric review.
Its simulated online testing format is a study tool and is not identical to North Dakota's five-part, Board-administered examination.
The store's North Dakota Contractor License Exam Prep overview also provides trade licensing guidance.
Start by confirming eligibility with the State Plumbing Board.
Obtain the official 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Review the five examination sections carefully.
Practice closed-book plumbing knowledge questions.
Complete drainage and venting sizing diagrams without references.
Then practice the open-book completion sections.
Work through water supply sizing and DWV fixture-unit problems.
Study the code's organization, definitions, tables, and permitted installation rules.
Use additional UPC-based study guides for practice where useful.
Finally, simulate a five-hour examination that includes both written questions and sizing exercises.
Preparation should help you become comfortable with the questions, the calculations, and the clock.
Important North Dakota Journeyman Plumber 2026 Update: The North Dakota State Plumbing Board administers the Journeyman Plumber examination directly. This is not a PSI or ICC testing-provider examination. The official five-part test includes 100 closed-book multiple-choice questions, a closed-book DWV pipe-sizing completion, 40 open-book completion questions, open-book water-pipe sizing, and open-book DWV sizing with fixture units. The total time limit is five hours. The required passing grade is 70%. Candidates must bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code, calculator, and photo identification. The standard apprenticeship requirement is four years and 7,600 qualifying hours. The examination fee is $50, and failing requires a six-month wait before retesting. The 2021 UPC books sold by Contractor Exam Preps are supplemental resources, not replacements for North Dakota's 2018 code.
The Journeyman Plumber license is a state-issued professional plumbing credential.
It recognizes a person with qualifying field experience and the ability to perform plumbing work under North Dakota law.
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board issues the credential.
A Journeyman Plumber works with water supply, plumbing fixtures, sanitary drainage, vents, water heaters, traps, fittings, and related installations.
Licensed Journeymen must follow the plumbing code and applicable regulations.
Official credential: Journeyman Plumber.
State authority: North Dakota State Plumbing Board.
Standard experience: Four years and 7,600 hours.
Exam administrator: The Board.
Exam: Five parts, five hours.
Passing standard: 70%.
Code: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Business distinction: Journeyman licensing is not universally equivalent to operating a plumbing contracting business.
| Requirement | North Dakota Rule | What to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| State | North Dakota | Follow State Plumbing Board rules. |
| Credential | Journeyman Plumber | Submit proper application. |
| Licensing Authority | State Plumbing Board | Use Board licensing website. |
| Testing Administrator | State Plumbing Board | Not PSI or ICC. |
| Apprentice Registration | Within 30 Days of Starting | Protect credit for work hours. |
| Standard Apprenticeship | Four Years | Document qualifying work. |
| Standard Experience Hours | 7,600 Hours | Maintain complete records. |
| Supervision | Licensed Master Plumber | Verify employer records. |
| Prior Experience Credit | Board Review Possible | Supply verification. |
| Accredited Plumbing Education Credit | Board Review Possible | Provide official transcript. |
| Application Fee | $50 | Check current application. |
| Journeyman Exam Fee | $50 | Pay Board. |
| Exam Schedule | Generally Every Other Month | Check published dates. |
| Exam Format | Five Parts | Study both closed and open book. |
| Part One | 100 Multiple-Choice | Closed-book practice. |
| Part Two | DWV Pipe Sizing Completion | Closed-book sizing practice. |
| Part Three | 40 Completion Questions | Open-book code lookups. |
| Part Four | Water-Pipe Sizing | Open-book tables and sizing. |
| Part Five | DWV and Fixture Units | Open-book calculations. |
| Time Limit | 300 Minutes | Practice complete examination. |
| Journeyman Passing | 70% | Apply Board's grading instructions. |
| Codebook | 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code | Bring personal copy. |
| Model Code Basis | 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code | Use UPC concepts. |
| Calculator | Bring Calculator | Prepare for sizing math. |
| Identification | Photo ID Required | Bring valid ID. |
| Cell Phones | Not Allowed in Exam | Follow Board restrictions. |
| Retesting Wait | Six Months | Prepare thoroughly first. |
| Journeyman Renewal Fee | $100 | Renew license annually. |
| Continuing Education | Two to Four Credits Over Two Years | Follow current Board requirements. |
| Board CE Session Fee | $40 | Pay when registering. |
| Master Advancement | Additional Journeyman Experience | Separate exam and license. |
| Master Experience | Two Years and 3,400 Hours | Document Journeyman work. |
| Reciprocity | Specific Agreements | Review Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota rules. |
| Contracting Work | State and Local Limits | Check Master supervision and rural exception. |
| Detail | Category | Official Information |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Licensing | Journeyman Plumber |
| Testing Agency | Examination | North Dakota State Plumbing Board |
| Third-Party Vendor | Examination | No PSI exam required for this Board test. |
| Examination Sections | Format | Five |
| Total Exam Time | Format | Five Hours |
| Total Minutes | Format | 300 |
| Passing Grade | Scoring | 70% |
| Part One | Closed Book | 100 Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Part Two | Closed Book | Drain, Waste and Vent Sizing Completion |
| Part Three | Open Book | 40 Completion Questions |
| Part Four | Open Book | Water Pipe Sizing Completion |
| Part Five | Open Book | DWV Sizing with Fixture Units |
| Official Code | References | 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code |
| Underlying Model Code | References | 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code |
| Bring Codebook | Exam Day | Yes |
| Bring Calculator | Exam Day | Yes |
| Bring Photo ID | Exam Day | Yes |
| Cell Phones | Exam Day | Not Allowed |
| Exam Fee | Fees | $50 |
| Failed Exam Retest | Eligibility | Wait Six Months |
| Board Schedule | Examination | Every Other Month, Subject to Schedule |
| Experience | Eligibility | Four Years and 7,600 Hours |
| Apprentice Registration | Eligibility | Within 30 Days |
| Water Service | Study | Potable Water Delivery |
| Water Distribution | Study | Pipe Sizing and Fixture Demand |
| Drainage | Study | DWV and Pipe Slopes |
| Venting | Study | Trap Seal Protection |
| Fixture Units | Study | Sizing Calculations |
| Isometric Drawings | Study | Pipe Layout Interpretation |
| Plumbing Fixtures | Study | Installation and Connections |
| Backflow Protection | Study | Potable Water Safety |
| Water Heaters | Study | Safety and Installation |
| Traps and Interceptors | Study | Drainage System Components |
| 2021 UPC Study Book | Retail | Supplemental, Not Official 2018 Code |
| 2021 UPC Online Course | Retail | Supplemental Home Study |
Five sections: Two closed book and three open book.
Written questions: 100 multiple-choice and 40 completion questions, plus sizing exercises.
Time: 300 minutes total.
Passing: 70% under North Dakota regulations.
Codebook: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
The Board publishes a five-part examination format rather than a detailed subject-by-subject percentage table. These study areas support preparation for the published format and the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Study approved plumbing methods, the purpose of plumbing systems, protection of drinking water, drainage, installation quality, and public health.
Review code compliance, definitions, approved materials, fittings, installation standards, inspection requirements, and system testing.
Study water services, supply piping, pressure, valves, cross-connections, and water distribution fundamentals.
Practice sizing water distribution piping using fixture demand, developed length, available pressure, and approved code tables.
Review building drains, waste piping, soil piping, branch drains, stacks, cleanouts, and drainage slopes.
Understand fixture unit values, drainage loads, and how to determine required DWV pipe sizes from the correct tables.
Study vent sizing, trap protection, vent terminals, individual vents, common vents, and approved vent connections.
Practice drawing, reading, tracing, and sizing drain, waste, and vent piping layouts.
Review toilets, sinks, lavatories, showers, tubs, floor drains, fixture clearances, and connections.
Study trap seal protection, trap arms, interceptors, drainage access, and code-compliant arrangements.
Review temperature and pressure protection, safe water heater installation, cross-connection protection, and approved backflow methods.
Practice lengths, slopes, fixture units, pipe sizes, basic geometry, unit conversions, and safe plumbing installation methods.
Important distinction: These are recommended study topics. The Board has not published official question percentages for each topic on its exam information page.
Start with the official North Dakota exam format.
Gather your 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and calculator.
Build a list of plumbing subjects you need to improve.
Practice basic principles and multiple-choice questions without references.
Complete closed-book DWV sizing exercises.
For open-book practice, learn the code's organization and tables.
Review the plumbing sections covering water distribution, sanitary drainage, venting, fixtures, and equipment.
Practice the water-pipe sizing portion using the approved tables.
Complete multiple DWV fixture-unit exercises.
Study plumbing mathematics and isometric diagrams.
The 2021 UPC Journeyman Study Guide provides additional plumbing practice questions.
The 2021 UPC Test Success Online Course adds videos and simulated exercises.
These are supplemental study resources because North Dakota's official test uses the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Closed-book preparation: Principles, terminology, and DWV sizing from memory.
Open-book preparation: Code completion and sizing exercises.
Practice duration: Five hours.
Primary reference: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Journeyman candidates should understand how the water supply, fixtures, traps, drainage piping, and venting system connect.
Simplified educational diagram. Actual plumbing connections, pipe sizes, vent arrangements, and safety details must comply with the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Register with the North Dakota State Plumbing Board within thirty days of starting qualifying plumbing work.
Accumulate four years and 7,600 hours of qualifying plumbing experience under appropriate supervision.
Prepare supervision records, work history, and any required education or prior-experience documents.
Submit the State Plumbing Board application and required application fee.
Use the state plumbing code to study drainage, venting, water sizing, fixture units, and code-compliant installation requirements.
Review closed-book multiple-choice questions, closed-book DWV sizing, and all three open-book completion and sizing exercises.
Bring the required codebook, calculator, and photo ID. Complete the five-hour examination and meet the 70% passing standard.
Complete licensing requirements, renew annually, and satisfy the Board's continuing education requirements.
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board lists five examination parts but does not publish a detailed percentage breakdown for each plumbing subject on its general examination page.
The percentages below represent a suggested allocation of study time, not an official question blueprint.
Suggested study total: 100%.
Official examination format: Five parts.
Official scoring: 70% passing.
Important: These are not official Board question percentages.
| Reference or Product | Edition or Status | Use |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Plumbing Code | 2018 | Required Board examination codebook. |
| Uniform Plumbing Code | 2018 | Underlying model code adopted by North Dakota, subject to state rules. |
| North Dakota Administrative Code 62-03.1 | Applicable State Rules | Plumbing installation requirements. |
| North Dakota Administrative Code 62-02-01 | Applicable State Rules | Licensure and examination rules. |
| North Dakota Century Code 43-18 | Current State Law | Plumbing credentials and business scope. |
| North Dakota State Plumbing Board Exam Information | Current Board Publication | Five exam parts, time, materials, and retesting rules. |
| North Dakota State Plumbing Board Exam Schedule | 2026 | Exam dates and approved locations. |
| Journeyman Plumber Study Guide, UPC Based | 2021 UPC | Contractor Exam Preps supplemental guide with 990 questions. |
| Journeyman Plumber Test Success Online Course | 2021 UPC | Supplemental videos, practice, and isometric review. |
| Journeyman Plumber Study Guide, IPC Based | 2021 IPC | Different code family; not suitable as a replacement for North Dakota's UPC. |
| Personal Calculator | Board-Allowed | Required for exam sizing exercises. |
| Photo ID | Current Valid Identification | Required for exam check-in. |
Required code for North Dakota: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Code family: Uniform Plumbing Code.
Supplemental printed book: 2021 UPC Journeyman Study Guide.
Supplemental online course: 2021 UPC Test Success.
Important: A 2021 UPC study guide does not replace the required 2018 North Dakota codebook.
The first two examination sections require closed-book skills.
Practice answering general plumbing questions without looking up every rule.
Complete DWV diagrams from memory.
For the open-book sections, learn where important tables, definitions, and sizing rules appear in the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Practice using the required calculator.
Follow all current Board instructions for materials allowed inside the examination room.
North Dakota defines a Journeyman Plumber as a person engaged in the practical installation, alteration, and repair of plumbing.
Work may involve water supply piping, water distribution, fixtures, sanitary drainage, vents, traps, water heaters, valves, fittings, and related plumbing systems.
Journeymen must follow applicable plumbing laws, installation standards, permits, and inspection requirements.
Plumbing contracting businesses are subject to additional legal requirements.
North Dakota generally requires a licensed Master Plumber to be in charge of plumbing installation businesses in locations with public waterworks or sewerage.
There is a statutory exception allowing a licensed Journeyman Plumber to engage in the business of installing plumbing in cities with fewer than 1,000 people and rural areas.
Other business and local obligations may still apply.
Individual credential: Journeyman Plumber.
Authorized work: Plumbing work within the person's license and applicable law.
Business rules: Master Plumber generally required in public-system localities.
Special exception: Small cities and rural areas under NDCC 43-18-10.
| Credential | Purpose | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber | Supervised plumbing training. | Must register and accumulate qualifying hours. |
| Journeyman Plumber | Licensed practical plumbing work. | Four years, 7,600 hours and Board examination. |
| Master Plumber | Planning, supervision and advanced plumbing responsibilities. | Additional licensed Journeyman experience and Master examination. |
| Plumbing Installation Business | Contracting business activity. | Master supervision generally required in qualifying public-system locations. |
| Rural and Small-City Exception | Specific legal contracting exception. | Licensed Journeyman may operate in qualifying locations under state law. |
| Sewer and Water Installer | Specialized sewer and water work. | Separate credential and examination. |
| Sewer and Water Contractor | Specialized sewer and water contracting. | Separate Board licensing category. |
| Water Conditioning Installer | Water conditioning installation. | Separate qualification. |
| Water Conditioning Contractor | Water conditioning contracting. | Separate license requirements. |
Parts One and Two
Parts Three, Four and Five
4 Years • 7,600 Hours • $50 Exam Fee
The North Dakota Journeyman Plumber examination is challenging because it combines plumbing knowledge with drawing and sizing exercises.
It has five separate parts.
Some portions are closed book.
Other portions allow the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Candidates must complete everything within five hours.
Knowing how to install a drain is important.
Knowing how to size a drain correctly on an examination drawing is another skill.
Students should practice both.
Water supply calculations and drainage fixture-unit tables also deserve repeated review.
Because failing requires a six-month wait before retesting, it is worth spending extra time preparing.
Printed study guides can help with general plumbing questions.
Online courses can help explain plumbing systems and provide additional practice.
However, the required codebook and Board examination format must remain the primary preparation references.
Contractor Exam Preps offers plumbing study materials that support water supply, drainage, venting, plumbing calculations, and examination practice.
The two verified UPC-based products below are the closer educational match for North Dakota because the state uses the Uniform Plumbing Code family.
Both products use the 2021 UPC, while North Dakota's required state codebook is the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Printed Book • 990 Practice Questions • UPC Review
Best for: Supplemental UPC trade review and repeated multiple-choice practice.
Important: This is not the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and cannot replace the Board-required codebook at testing.
Online Videos • Practice Exams • Plumbing Isometrics
Best for: Candidates who prefer guided video explanations and additional practice outside the workplace.
Important: The course's online practice format differs from North Dakota's official five-part Board examination.
North Dakota Licensing • Official Exam Planning • Product Navigation
Best for: Finding North Dakota-specific licensing information and related study materials before selecting a book or course.
Important: This is an informational resource page, not a physical exam book or a substitute for Board instructions.
Official North Dakota code: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Retail UPC study guide: 2021 UPC, 990 questions.
Retail online course: 2021 UPC, supplemental learning.
Study focus: Closed-book fundamentals, open-book code completion, water sizing, and DWV drawings.
Actual Journeyman Plumber study-guide image hosted on ContractorExamPreps.com.
The product features plumbing exam preparation based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.
It is a related educational book image, not an official North Dakota Journeyman Plumber license.
The official state examination requires the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
North Dakota State Plumbing Board • Journeyman Plumber • Five-Part Exam • 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code • Drainage, Water and Venting
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Licensing
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board issues the state's Journeyman Plumber credential.
The standard requirement is four years of qualifying plumbing apprenticeship experience under a licensed Master Plumber.
North Dakota requires 7,600 qualifying work hours over four years under the standard apprenticeship pathway.
Yes. Apprentices must register with the State Plumbing Board within thirty days of starting work to receive credit for qualifying hours.
The Board may grant appropriate credit for qualifying prior experience or graduates of certain accredited plumbing programs. Documentation and Board approval are required.
North Dakota Journeyman Examination
The North Dakota State Plumbing Board administers the examination directly. It is not the same as a PSI or ICC Journeyman Plumber exam.
The Board's published Journeyman exam contains five parts, including multiple-choice, completion, and pipe-sizing exercises.
Part One contains 100 closed-book multiple-choice questions. The exam also includes a closed-book sizing section, 40 open-book completion questions, and two additional open-book sizing sections.
Part Three contains 40 open-book completion questions. Parts Four and Five add separate open-book sizing exercises.
Candidates have five hours, or 300 minutes, to complete the examination.
North Dakota Administrative Code establishes a 70% passing grade for the Journeyman Plumber examination.
No. Parts One and Two are closed book. Parts Three, Four, and Five are open book.
The State Plumbing Board requires a six-month waiting period before a failed Journeyman examination may be retaken.
Plumbing Code and Examination References
The State Plumbing Board instructs candidates to bring the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Yes. North Dakota adopts the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with the applicable North Dakota provisions and regulations.
No. North Dakota's official examination reference is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code, not the IPC. The two codes have different requirements and tables.
No. The Board specifically requires the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code. The 2021 UPC study guide is supplemental home-study material.
Yes. The State Plumbing Board instructs Journeyman candidates to bring a calculator for the examination.
No. The Board states that cell phones are not allowed during the examination.
Drainage, Venting, and Plumbing Sizing
Yes. North Dakota tests drain, waste, and vent pipe sizing in both a closed-book and an open-book section.
Yes. Part Four is an open-book water-pipe sizing completion exercise.
Yes. Part Five specifically includes a DWV sizing completion with fixture units. Water distribution sizing also requires understanding fixture demand.
Yes. Isometric practice helps candidates understand pipe layouts, stacks, fixtures, vents, and sizing problems.
Backflow and cross-connection protection are important plumbing code and potable water subjects and should be included in a comprehensive study plan.
Fees, Renewal and Reciprocity
The State Plumbing Board lists a $50 Journeyman examination fee.
The current State Plumbing Board renewal fee list shows $100 for Journeyman Plumbers.
North Dakota plumbing licenses generally renew annually. Follow the current Board renewal forms and deadline instructions.
Yes. The State Plumbing Board describes a requirement of two to four continuing education credit hours within a two-year period for Master and Journeyman Plumbers.
The Board has reciprocity agreements with South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana. Each agreement has specific requirements, and a Certificate of Endorsement is generally required.
Yes. The Board lists two years and 3,400 hours of licensed Journeyman experience for applicants pursuing the Master credential, along with additional eligibility and examination requirements.
Plumbing Contractor Business Rules
North Dakota generally requires a licensed Master Plumber in charge of plumbing installation businesses in locations with public waterworks or sewerage. State law includes a specific Journeyman exception for qualifying rural areas and cities with fewer than 1,000 people. Additional business rules may apply.
No. Master Plumbers have separate experience, examination, and professional responsibilities.
Contractor Exam Preps Products
Yes. The store sells a Journeyman Plumber Exam Study Guide based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.
The verified Contractor Exam Preps UPC study guide includes 990 practice questions with answer keys.
Yes. The store offers a Test Success Online Course based on the 2021 UPC, with videos, simulated exams, and plumbing calculations.
No. North Dakota's required codebook is the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code. The 2021 UPC guide is supplemental.
No. Study materials can help preparation, but they do not guarantee Board approval, a passing grade, or the issuance of a license.
Watch this related 1ExamPrep video covering Journeyman Plumber examination preparation, water supply, drainage, plumbing vents, fixtures, piping systems, code knowledge, and study strategies.
The video provides general plumbing examination guidance for candidates in multiple states.
North Dakota candidates should remember that their specific examination is Board-administered and includes five parts, with both closed-book and open-book sections.
The official North Dakota exam codebook is the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Video creator: 1ExamPrep.
Video title: Pass the 2026 Journeyman Plumber Exam.
Published: June 22, 2026.
Topics: Plumbing licensing, water supply, drainage, venting, fixtures, piping and study planning.
North Dakota difference: Five-part, five-hour State Plumbing Board examination.
Required code: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Use the North Dakota State Plumbing Board for official exam, code, licensing, continuing education, and renewal information.
Use Contractor Exam Preps for supplemental UPC practice questions, videos, plumbing calculations, and general licensing guidance.
Credential: North Dakota Journeyman Plumber.
Official administrator: North Dakota State Plumbing Board.
Exam: Five parts, five hours.
Passing: 70%.
Code: 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Experience: Four years, 7,600 hours.
Store resources: 2021 UPC study guide and online course for supplemental review.
Preparing for the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber examination is an important step for plumbing apprentices who want to earn a professional license and expand their opportunities in the plumbing trade.
North Dakota regulates plumbing through the State Plumbing Board.
The Board is responsible for licensing, examination administration, plumbing rules, inspections, and professional requirements.
A Journeyman Plumber is a skilled plumbing professional who installs, alters, and repairs plumbing systems.
That work includes potable water supply, drainage, venting, fixtures, fittings, water heaters, and other plumbing equipment.
These systems protect public health and help buildings operate safely.
Water distribution brings clean water to fixtures.
Drainage systems remove wastewater.
Vents help drainage systems function properly.
Traps help prevent sewer gas from entering occupied spaces.
Correct plumbing installation depends on both practical experience and knowledge of the code.
The standard North Dakota Journeyman licensing pathway requires four years of qualifying apprenticeship experience.
Applicants must complete 7,600 qualifying hours.
The work normally occurs under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber.
Apprentices must register with the State Plumbing Board within thirty days after beginning employment to receive credit for their hours.
Keeping complete training records is important.
The Board may recognize certain educational or previous experience credits under its rules.
Applicants should confirm any proposed credit before relying on it.
The North Dakota Journeyman Plumber examination is administered by the State Plumbing Board itself.
It is not a PSI or ICC examination.
The official exam contains five parts.
The first part includes 100 closed-book multiple-choice questions.
The second part is a closed-book drain, waste, and vent pipe-sizing completion.
The third part includes 40 open-book completion questions.
The fourth part involves open-book water-pipe sizing.
The fifth part requires open-book DWV sizing with fixture units.
Candidates have five hours to complete the exam.
The passing grade is 70%.
Because the examination has separate completion and sizing exercises, candidates should not prepare as though it were only a 100-question multiple-choice test.
The correct examination reference is the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
This code is based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code.
The Uniform Plumbing Code is different from the International Plumbing Code.
Students should understand this difference before buying materials.
North Dakota specifically requires candidates to bring their 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code, calculator, and photo identification.
Cell phones are not permitted during testing.
The exam fee is $50.
If a candidate fails the examination, a six-month waiting period applies before retesting.
This makes consistent preparation especially important.
Drainage, waste, and venting should receive extra attention because the exam includes multiple DWV exercises.
Students should practice drainage fixture units, piping layouts, venting principles, trap connections, and pipe-sizing tables.
Water distribution is another major practical subject.
Learn how available water pressure, fixture demand, developed length, and system layout affect pipe sizes.
Practice finding the required sizing information in the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Isometric drawings are useful preparation tools.
They help students recognize how pipes travel through buildings and connect to fixtures.
Study both horizontal and vertical piping.
Learn to identify stacks, branch drains, vent connections, and trap arrangements.
Plumbing fixtures, water heaters, backflow protection, traps, and cleanouts are important parts of general trade knowledge.
Review approved installation methods and inspection requirements.
For the closed-book examination sections, practice answering questions without relying on references.
For the open-book sections, become comfortable navigating the state code.
Students should know where major definitions, tables, and sizing rules appear.
Practice questions can help develop speed and confidence.
Contractor Exam Preps sells a Journeyman Plumber Exam Study Guide based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.
The guide includes 990 practice questions and answer keys.
It also covers plumbing mathematics, isometric drawing analysis, OSHA topics, and test-taking strategies.
The book follows the same UPC code family used by North Dakota.
However, it uses a newer 2021 edition and should be treated as supplemental preparation rather than an official examination reference.
The store also sells a Journeyman Plumber Test Success Online Course based on the 2021 UPC.
The course includes instructional videos, practice exams, plumbing calculations, and isometric review.
It can help students reinforce general plumbing principles outside the workplace.
The actual North Dakota examination format still requires preparation beyond standard online multiple-choice practice.
North Dakota Journeyman licensing is different from Master Plumber licensing.
The Board lists additional licensed Journeyman experience for people seeking Master status.
Operating a plumbing contracting business also requires attention to the state's legal rules.
Generally, plumbing installation businesses in locations with public waterworks or sewerage need a licensed Master Plumber in charge.
North Dakota provides a specific statutory exception for licensed Journeymen in qualifying small cities and rural areas.
Other business and local rules may still apply.
After licensing, Journeymen must renew their credentials and meet continuing education requirements.
The current Board renewal fee is $100.
A six-week study plan can help prepare for the examination.
Begin with the state code and general plumbing principles.
Continue with water distribution, sanitary drainage, venting, and fixtures.
Spend additional time on pipe-sizing calculations and isometric drawings.
Finish with a full five-hour practice examination that follows the Board's five-part format.
With qualifying experience, careful code study, and repeated plumbing calculations, applicants can approach their North Dakota Journeyman Plumber examination with greater confidence.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep helps plumbing apprentices and experienced trade workers prepare for the state's licensing examination.
North Dakota licenses plumbers through the State Plumbing Board.
The Board regulates Journeyman Plumbers, Master Plumbers, and plumbing apprentices.
It also administers plumbing examinations and publishes the state's plumbing code requirements.
A Journeyman Plumber is a licensed worker who performs practical plumbing installation, alteration, and repair.
Plumbing systems include potable water distribution, drainage, vents, fixtures, water heaters, traps, valves, and related piping.
Correct installation protects people from contamination, sewer gas, leaks, and other plumbing problems.
The standard North Dakota Journeyman pathway requires four years of qualifying apprenticeship experience.
Applicants must accumulate 7,600 qualifying hours.
The experience normally occurs under a licensed Master Plumber.
Apprentices must register with the Board within thirty days after starting work to receive qualifying hour credit.
The Board may recognize some previous experience or qualifying plumbing education under its rules.
Applicants must document their training and experience.
The North Dakota Journeyman Plumber examination is administered by the State Plumbing Board.
It is not a PSI examination.
It is not an ICC Contractor/Trades examination.
The official state test contains five parts.
Part One is closed book.
It contains 100 multiple-choice questions about plumbing knowledge.
Part Two is also closed book.
It involves drain, waste, and vent pipe sizing.
Part Three is open book.
It includes 40 completion questions.
Part Four is an open-book water-pipe sizing completion.
Part Five is an open-book DWV sizing completion with fixture units.
Candidates have five hours to finish the examination.
The passing grade is 70%.
Applicants should prepare for every examination part rather than focusing only on multiple-choice questions.
North Dakota requires the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code as the examination reference.
The state's code is based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code.
This is commonly called the UPC.
The UPC is different from the International Plumbing Code.
The two code families use different requirements and tables.
Students should not substitute an IPC book for North Dakota's official plumbing code.
Candidates must bring their 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code, calculator, and photo identification.
Cell phones are not allowed during the examination.
The exam fee is $50.
If a candidate fails, the Board requires a six-month waiting period before another examination attempt.
This makes good study planning important.
Water supply and distribution is a major area of plumbing knowledge.
Plumbers must understand how potable water enters a building and reaches fixtures.
They need to know about water pressure, pipe sizes, fixture demand, valves, and backflow prevention.
Water-pipe sizing appears directly on the North Dakota examination.
Students should practice finding the proper sizing table and completing water distribution calculations.
Sanitary drainage is another important subject.
Drainage systems remove wastewater from fixtures and carry it toward the building sewer.
Plumbers should understand pipe slopes, horizontal drains, vertical stacks, cleanouts, and drainage fixture units.
Venting helps preserve trap seals and allows drainage systems to function correctly.
Students should practice recognizing vent connections, vent sizes, and approved arrangements.
North Dakota tests DWV sizing in both closed-book and open-book sections.
That makes drainage, venting, and fixture-unit calculations particularly important for preparation.
Plumbing isometric drawings can help candidates visualize the system.
They show how fixtures, drains, stacks, vents, and other pipes connect.
Repeated drawing practice can improve the ability to solve sizing exercises.
Other study topics include plumbing fixtures, fittings, traps, interceptors, cleanouts, water heaters, and backflow protection.
Plumbing mathematics is also useful.
Students should review lengths, pipe slopes, fixture units, basic geometry, and water distribution sizing.
For the closed-book sections, candidates should practice recalling plumbing principles without looking at the code.
For the open-book sections, candidates should practice finding information in the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code.
Contractor Exam Preps offers a general Journeyman Plumber Exam Study Guide based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.
The printed guide includes 990 practice questions with answer keys.
It covers plumbing code knowledge, water supply, drainage, venting, plumbing mathematics, isometric drawings, and safety topics.
This book follows the UPC code family and can support North Dakota students.
However, it uses the 2021 UPC and is not the state's official 2018 codebook.
Contractor Exam Preps also offers a Journeyman Plumber Test Success Online Course based on the 2021 UPC.
The online course includes videos, practice questions, simulated examinations, and plumbing calculations.
It can help students review subjects and practice independently.
Its online practice format is different from North Dakota's official five-part examination.
Candidates should use these resources for supplemental learning and rely on the Board's current information for their actual test.
North Dakota Journeyman Plumbers must also understand their legal work scope.
Journeyman licensing is not identical to Master Plumber licensing.
Plumbing installation businesses in locations with public waterworks or sewerage generally must have a licensed Master Plumber in charge.
North Dakota law allows a licensed Journeyman to engage in plumbing installation business in certain small cities and rural areas.
Additional business and local requirements may still apply.
Journeymen who want to become Master Plumbers must complete additional experience and pass the separate Master examination.
North Dakota plumbing licenses renew annually.
The current Journeyman renewal fee is $100.
Continuing education is required under the Board's published guidance.
A structured six-week study plan can help candidates prepare.
Start with general plumbing principles and state code organization.
Then study water supply, water pipe sizing, sanitary drainage, and plumbing vents.
Practice pipe-sizing tables and fixture-unit calculations.
Review plumbing isometrics, fixtures, water heaters, and safety.
Complete both closed-book and open-book practice exercises.
Finish with a timed five-hour simulation that follows the Board examination format.
Careful study and practical plumbing experience can help applicants approach North Dakota Journeyman Plumber licensing with greater confidence.
Explore plumbing study guides, practice questions, online training, plumbing mathematics, isometric diagrams, and trade exam preparation at ContractorExamPreps.com.
