Washington to New Hampshire: master plumber license reciprocity
Washington does not issue a statewide master plumber license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is New Hampshire's standard path for out-of-state applicants.
Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.
Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.
Traditional application and New Hampshire master plumbing examination (non-qualifying jurisdictions)
Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.
An out-of-state master plumber whose origin is not on OPLC's Plc 313.34 qualifying-jurisdiction list applies through the traditional Mechanical Licensing Board process. Mec 302.12 makes proof of origin-state licensure enough to sit the New Hampshire plumbing licensing examination; it does not waive that exam. Mec 305.01(a) also requires master applicants to have held a New Hampshire journeyman plumber license for at least 6 months and to pass the master exam with at least 75 percent. After passing, the applicant pays the $330 two-year master plumber fee (Plc 1002.25). A plumbing business needs its own $275 mechanical business entity license, which is separate from the personal master license and is qualified by an officer or responsible managing employee who holds a New Hampshire master plumber license (RSA 153:29-a; Mec 307).
OPLC lists Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont as qualifying jurisdictions for master plumber endorsement under Plc 313.34; masters with an active, unencumbered license from one of them may apply by endorsement instead, without the New Hampshire exam.
At a glance
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Out-of-state hours
- Count toward eligibility
What you must already have
- Your Washington license must be active and in good standing.
- A New Hampshire journeyman plumber license held for at least 6 months, with no consumer complaints resulting in board disciplinary sanctions within the past year (Mec 305.01(a)).
What you'll do to get licensed in New Hampshire
- 1Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. New Hampshire master plumber licensing examination (Mechanical Licensing Board; Prov candidate bulletin linked from the board home page)..
- 2Application fee. Pay the application fee ($330). Master plumber application / two-year license fee (Plc 1002.25 and OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board fee table)..
- 3Business license. Obtain a business license ($275) (if applicable). Mechanical business entity application/renewal/reinstatement fee ($275, Plc 1002.25 / OPLC fee table)..
- 4Other. Demonstrate proof of origin-state plumber licensure with the application (Mec 302.12)..
Published fees on this path total $330, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
What you'll need to buy or arrange
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Trade exam
Business registration
If you plan to contract in your own name, budget for a business license or entity registration on top of the trade license.
- Business license · $275 · if applicable
How New Hampshire licenses master plumbers
New Hampshire master plumber · “Master Plumber”
Statewide license
Issued by New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
New Hampshire issues a statewide Master Plumber license through the same OPLC Mechanical Licensing Board that licenses journeyman and trainee plumbers. The published two-year master plumber fee is $330 (OPLC fee table; Plc 1002.25). RSA 153:28, V lets the board enter mutual reciprocity agreements for plumbers, but the board publishes none. Since 3 May 2024, masters licensed in the jurisdictions OPLC lists under Plc 313.34 (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont) may be licensed by endorsement instead. Out-of-state masters who are not in a qualifying jurisdiction remain eligible for the New Hampshire plumbing examination upon proof of licensure (Mec 302.12).
Why Washington has nothing to transfer
Washington master plumber
No individual license at this level
Issued by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Plumber Certification Program
Washington has no master plumber license. WAC 296-400A-010 lists every certificate the state issues (journey level PL01, residential PL02, residential service PL04, pump and irrigation PL03, domestic well PL03A, backflow PL30, and trainee), and the Journey Level Plumber certificate is the highest credential an individual can hold; the only add-on is the Medical Gas Piping Installer endorsement (MG01), which is a specialty, not a supervisory tier. Since July 1, 2021 a business that advertises, bids or performs plumbing work must hold a Plumbing Contractor license under RCW 18.106.400, but that is a business registration rather than a person-held trade license: the firm registers with the Department of Revenue, files a $6,000 surety bond, carries $250,000 combined (or $200,000/$50,000) liability insurance, pays a $148.10 license fee plus $53.20 to designate a Washington-certified plumber who works for the firm full time, and renews every two years; no exam is taken by the owner. An out-of-state master plumber therefore has nothing to transfer to at this level. To work as a plumber they obtain the journey level (PL01) certificate through the journeyman path (Idaho reciprocity or license review plus the Washington exam), and to contract they form a business and license it as a plumbing contractor with themselves or an employee as the designated certified plumber.
Common questions
- Do I have to take the New Hampshire master plumber exam if I'm licensed in Washington?
- Yes. New Hampshire requires the trade exam on this path.
- What does it cost to get a New Hampshire master plumber license from Washington?
- Published fees on this path total $330, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
- Do my Washington work hours count in New Hampshire?
- Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward New Hampshire's eligibility requirements.
- Does it work the other way, from New Hampshire to Washington?
- Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from New Hampshire to Washington, the mechanism is not applicable.
Sources
- N.H. Code Admin. R. Mec 300 - Initial fuel gas fitting, plumbing, trainee, apprentice and business entity licensing · Mec 302.02; Mec 302.12; Mec 304.01; Mec 304.04; Mec 305.01; Mec 306.01; Mec 307 · New Hampshire General Court (Administrative Rules) · Admin Rule · verified September 23, 2026
- NH OPLC - Mechanical Licensing Board (who we regulate; plumber licenses) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- NH OPLC - License Fees for the Mechanical Licensing Board · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- OPLC - Reciprocity Licensing (HB 594 overview) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026
- NH OPLC - New Changes for Reciprocity in New Hampshire (endorsement qualifying jurisdictions by board) · RSA 310:17; Plc 313.34 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- N.H. Code Admin. R. Plc 1002.25 and Plc 1004.11 - Mechanical Licensing Board licensing and examination fees · Plc 1002.25; Plc 1004.11 · New Hampshire General Court (Administrative Rules) · Admin Rule · verified September 23, 2026
- N.H. Code Admin. R. Plc 313.34 - Substantially similar requirements for Mechanical Licensing Board professions · Plc 313.34 (eff. 5-3-24, #13954); Plc 313.01; Plc 313.11 · New Hampshire General Court (Administrative Rules) · Admin Rule · verified September 23, 2026
- RSA Chapter 153 - Fire Safety; Mechanical Licensing Board (plumber and fuel gas licensing) · RSA 153:27-a; RSA 153:28; RSA 153:29-a; RSA 153:36, VII · New Hampshire General Court · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- RSA 310:17 License Reciprocity · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 310:17 · New Hampshire General Court · Statute · verified September 17, 2026
Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.