Plumber License from Florida to Nevada: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) — nonprofit statewide plumbing examiners board, in partnership with Clark County ↗
No — Nevada has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Florida plumbing license holders. You must apply to the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) — nonprofit statewide plumbing examiners board, in partnership with Clark County as a new applicant and meet Nevada's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Full re-application
Nevada has no plumbing reciprocity or endorsement covering Florida, so this is a full journeyman application either way. No exam transfer or reciprocity — NBOPE waives its journeyman examination for no one; every applicant, including out-of-state plumbers, must document four years of apprenticeship or 8,000 hours of experience and pass the two-part NBOPE Journeyman Plumber examination. The productive plan: gather proof of the apprenticeship or on-the-job hours you logged in Florida, register for Nevada's journeyman exam, and treat your experience as exam preparation and as credit toward Nevada's experience requirement. Budget a new-applicant timeline and order your certified license history early — it is the long-lead item.
What changes, Florida → Nevada
| Florida (current) | Nevada (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $350 ($350 certification-by-endorsement application fee (CILB 10). The standard exam-route Certified Plumbing Contractor application is $245 (May 1 even year–Aug 31 odd year) or $145 (Sep 1 odd year–Apr 30 even year). A separate electronic-fingerprint fee applies) | $250–$340 ($250 exam/application fee (computer or paper); $340 if taken at a Prometric test center (additional $90). No separate reciprocity fee — NBOPE offers no reciprocity. Reschedule/cancel penalties of $35-$50 may apply) |
| Processing time | No board-stated processing time | ~4 weeks (NBOPE/NITC directs applicants to allow up to 4 weeks to process the application and payment before an exam may be scheduled) |
| Licensing authority | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) | Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) — nonprofit statewide plumbing examiners board, in partnership with Clark County |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Nevada sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Nevada's initial-licensure requirements on the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) — nonprofit statewide plumbing examiners board, in partnership with Clark County website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Nevada's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($250–$340 ($250 exam/application fee (computer or paper); $340 if taken at a Prometric test center (additional $90). No separate reciprocity fee — NBOPE offers no reciprocity. Reschedule/cancel penalties of $35-$50 may apply)).
- Allow ~4 weeks (NBOPE/NITC directs applicants to allow up to 4 weeks to process the application and payment before an exam may be scheduled).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Nevada accept a Florida plumbing license?
No — Nevada has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Florida plumbing license holders. You must apply to the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) — nonprofit statewide plumbing examiners board, in partnership with Clark County as a new applicant and meet Nevada's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam applies moving from Florida to Nevada?
No exam transfer or reciprocity — NBOPE waives its journeyman examination for no one; every applicant, including out-of-state plumbers, must document four years of apprenticeship or 8,000 hours of experience and pass the two-part NBOPE Journeyman Plumber examination.
What does the Florida-to-Nevada move cost and how long does it take?
$250–$340 ($250 exam/application fee (computer or paper); $340 if taken at a Prometric test center (additional $90). No separate reciprocity fee — NBOPE offers no reciprocity. Reschedule/cancel penalties of $35-$50 may apply); processing ~4 weeks (NBOPE/NITC directs applicants to allow up to 4 weeks to process the application and payment before an exam may be scheduled), plus the exam and experience-documentation costs of qualifying as a new applicant.
Can I keep my Florida plumbing license after I'm licensed in Nevada?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Florida credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NBOPE — Journeyman Plumber certification requirements (4 yrs / 8,000 hrs; allow up to 4 weeks) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NBOPE — Exam Information (2024 UPC, two-part exam, 75% / 113 points, 3-year validity) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NBOPE — Certification Application for Journeyman and Master Plumber (Form 850-06 Rev 02-12-26; $250 exam / $340 Prometric) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida DBPR CILB 10 — Application for Certification by Endorsement (s.489.115(3); $350 fee; licensure without state exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida DBPR CILB 5-M — Application for Certified Plumbing Contractor as an Individual (contractor-level license; $145/$245 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida Statutes 489.115 — certification and registration; endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]