Plumber License from Florida to New Jersey: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Florida and New Jersey

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into New Jersey. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Florida to New Jersey (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

New Jersey to Florida (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Florida matter?

Florida gets New Jersey's most common result: 41 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.

The others get: no state license to transfer (9).

Application fee

New Jersey lists $75–$100 for an out-of-state applicant and Florida lists $350 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Exam rules on record

New Jersey and Florida carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• New Jersey (this move): New Jersey's master-plumber licensure-by-reciprocity provision (N.J.S.A. 45:14C-19) can waive the NJ Master Plumber examination only for an applicant from a state whose standards the Board finds comparable AND that reciprocates with New Jersey; as of the Board's published reciprocity list (06/18/19) NO state qualifies (every state evaluated was denied, none granted), so in practice all out-of-state plumbers must pass the New Jersey Master Plumber exam. Journeyman applicants are not exam-waived.
• Florida (the reverse move): Florida licenses plumbing CONTRACTORS, not journeymen (journeyman/tradesworker plumbers are licensed by county and municipal governments). Its Certified Plumbing Contractor examination is waived for out-of-state applicants who certify by endorsement under s. 489.115(3): by passing a national/regional/state exam the board deems substantially equivalent (Option A), holding a license issued under substantially equivalent criteria (Option B), or holding an active license for at least 10 years (Option C); the board warns endorsement based on comparing a state-specific exam is rarely approved. Applicants who do not qualify for endorsement must pass the Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor exam

What changes, Florida → New Jersey

The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Jersey sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm New Jersey's current requirements on the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
4. State-licensed tiers are apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber; the license required to practice or hold out as a plumber is the Master Plumber license.
5. Master applicants must be at least 21 and complete a U.S. DOL formal apprenticeship (or a bachelor's in mechanical/plumbing/sanitary engineering) plus a journeyman year of 1,200 hours of hands-on experience.
6. Pass the New Jersey Master Plumber written examination (no reciprocity exam waiver is currently available).
7. Maintain a $3,000 surety bond concurrent with the license and complete 5 hours of continuing education each biennial renewal.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

Related guides