1.1 Maryland Plumbing Regulations & Licensing

1.1 Maryland Plumbing Regulations & Licensing

Quick Answer: Plumbing practice in Maryland is regulated under Title 12 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 09.20. Licensing is governed by the State Board of Plumbing. Candidates for the Journeyman Plumber license must complete at least 4 years (7,500 hours) of apprentice training under a licensed Master Plumber and pass the state Journeyman examination with a score of 70% or higher.

Understanding the regulatory framework, board authority, permit protocols, and licensing scopes is essential for passing the Maryland Journeyman Plumber examination and practicing legally within the state.

Maryland State Board of Plumbing & Governance

The State Board of Plumbing operates within the Maryland Department of Labor. The Board's primary duty is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by establishing qualification standards, licensing practitioners, enforcing plumbing codes, and investigating consumer complaints.

Board Composition & Authority

Under Business Occupations and Professions Article §12-202, the Board consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary and the advice and consent of the Senate:

• 7 plumber members, of whom at least 6 must be master plumbers; the remaining seat may be filled by a journey plumber or a master plumber
• 2 consumer members (members of the general public who may not be licensees or otherwise subject to Board regulation)

The 7 plumber seats are also geographically apportioned by statute — 2 from Baltimore City, and 1 each from five multi-county regions. A consumer member may not reside in the same county as a plumber member, and no member may reside in a county or area exempted from Title 12 (which is why Baltimore County and the WSSC district are unrepresented). Note that there is no dedicated natural gas fitter seat on the Board. The Board possesses the authority to issue licenses, adopt plumbing codes (such as the International Plumbing Code with state amendments), conduct disciplinary hearings, issue civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and suspend or revoke licenses for code non-compliance or fraud.

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Licensing Classifications & Scope of Practice

Maryland law strictly defines the scope of work permitted for each plumbing license level. Performing plumbing work beyond your licensed authority is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment.

Exam Trap: On the exam, watch out for questions asking if a Journeyman Plumber can contract directly with a homeowner or secure a plumbing permit under State Board rules. The answer is NO. Under Maryland law, only a licensed Master Plumber (or a Master Natural Gas Fitter for gas work) can contract for plumbing services and secure permits from local authorities.

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Permit Requirements & Application Protocols

Per COMAR 09.20.01 and IPC Section 106, a plumbing permit must be obtained from the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) prior to starting any plumbing installation, alteration, addition, or repair.

Permit Exceptions & Emergency Work

• Ordinary Maintenance & Minor Repairs: Replacing washers, clearing drain stoppages, or repairing minor valve leaks does not require a permit, provided no structural piping layout is altered.
• Emergency Repairs: If an emergency situation arises (such as a burst main water line or ruptured sewer line outside normal office hours), work may commence immediately to protect life and property. However, the licensed Master Plumber must submit a formal permit application on the next business day (within 24 to 48 hours depending on jurisdiction).

Plan Submittal Requirements

Detailed plans, isometric riser diagrams, and engineering calculations prepared by a registered professional engineer or Master Plumber must be submitted with the permit application for:

1. Commercial or industrial buildings.
2. Multi-family residential structures exceeding three stories.
3. Plumbing systems incorporating grease, oil, or chemical interceptors.
4. Backflow prevention assemblies protecting high-hazard cross-connections.

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Mandatory Inspection Stages

No plumbing piping, trap, or fixture may be covered, concealed, or backfilled until it has been inspected and approved by an authorized plumbing inspector. Work must progress through three distinct inspection phases:

1. Underground / Slab Inspection:
   • Conducted after all underground building drains, sewers, water service lines, and slab piping are laid in trenches.
   • Piping must be exposed, correctly sloped, bedded, and under required test pressure (e.g., 10 ft head of water or 5 psi air for DWV).
2. Rough-In Inspection:
   • Conducted after all soil, waste, vent, and water supply piping has been installed through studs, joists, and walls, but before wallboard, lath, plaster, or insulation is applied.
   • All piping must be under test pressure (10 ft water head / 5 psi air for DWV; 50+ psi for water lines), properly supported with hangers, and protected with steel shield plates where necessary.
3. Final Inspection:
   • Conducted after all walls are closed, fixtures are set, traps are filled with water, and the system is fully operational.
   • Inspector verifies fixture clearances, backflow protection, water heater T&P discharge piping, and functional performance.

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Special Maryland Jurisdictions: WSSC Water & Local Boards

While the Maryland State Board of Plumbing governs most of the state, candidates must recognize specific regional variations:

The state license is required throughout Maryland except in two exempted jurisdictions, which issue their own licenses and enforce their own plumbing codes:

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water)

• Jurisdiction: Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
• Regulatory Code: The WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code, which amends the IPC and IFGC.
• Licensure: WSSC issues its own plumbing and gas licenses. A Maryland State Board license does not authorize work in the WSSC district, and a WSSC license does not by itself authorize work elsewhere in Maryland.

Baltimore County

• Baltimore County is exempt from state plumbing licensure and issues its own licenses under its own plumbing code through the county licensing authority.

Baltimore City — not exempt

• Baltimore City is not one of the exempted jurisdictions. Work in Baltimore City requires the State Board license; the city administers permits and inspections but does not issue its own plumber licences.

Reciprocity into the state licence

• The Board may issue a reciprocal master or journey licence to plumbers currently licensed by Baltimore County, WSSC, or the District of Columbia, provided the licence was obtained by examination and the holder has both the plumbing and the gas portion. Maryland also reciprocates with Delaware for the Master Plumber/Gas Fitter licence only.

Exam Trap: The exempted pair is Baltimore County and WSSC — not Baltimore City. Candidates routinely swap the two.

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Summary of Key Maryland Regulations

To ensure compliance on exam day, memorize these core operational parameters:

• Journey License Renewal: Every 2 years. Maryland requires no continuing education to renew a master or journey plumber/gas fitter license. The Board's 8-hours-per-calendar-year CE requirement applies only to certified plumbing inspectors, under §12-503(a)(1).
• Display of License Number: A master plumber must display the master plumber license and its number conspicuously at the principal place of business, and the license number on each vehicle used on the job to provide plumbing services.
• Liability Insurance: A master plumber may not contract for plumbing services without liability insurance of at least $300,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage.
• Inspection Call Notice: Contractors must give the local inspection agency advance notice — commonly 24 hours — before an inspection is needed; confirm the interval with the AHJ, since it is set locally.