Plumber License from New York to Alaska: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section ↗
A plumbing license transfers from New York to Alaska by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section, verify your New York license, and meet Alaska's endorsement requirements. Alaska waives its plumber journeyman exam for an applicant who holds a plumbing journeyman certificate or license from any U.S. jurisdiction the department finds has substantially similar requirements (judged on required work hours, a testing requirement, and registered-apprenticeship membership); an applicant from a jurisdiction that is not substantially similar must document 8,000 hours and pass the Alaska journeyman exam (70% to pass). No bilateral agreement is required — any qualifying jurisdiction is eligible (per 8 AAC 90.111/.112, effective Aug 8, 2025)..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
New York is not among the states Alaska names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section's individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. Alaska waives its plumber journeyman exam for an applicant who holds a plumbing journeyman certificate or license from any U.S. jurisdiction the department finds has substantially similar requirements (judged on required work hours, a testing requirement, and registered-apprenticeship membership); an applicant from a jurisdiction that is not substantially similar must document 8,000 hours and pass the Alaska journeyman exam (70% to pass). No bilateral agreement is required — any qualifying jurisdiction is eligible (per 8 AAC 90.111/.112, effective Aug 8, 2025).. Bring your New York license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, New York → Alaska
| New York (current) | Alaska (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ | $50–$250 ($50 nonrefundable application fee + $200 journeyman certificate fee (2-year term) for a full reciprocal COF ($250 total); a one-year provisional COF is $50 application + $100 certificate ($150)) |
| Processing time | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority | Board states 7-10 business days for trainee certificates and renewals; no processing time stated for reciprocal/journeyman applications, and the division notes delays from an outdated system and limited staff |
| Licensing authority | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) | Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Alaska sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Alaska's current requirements on the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current plumbing journeyman certificate/license from another U.S. jurisdiction, held at least one full year (for a provisional certificate and for reciprocity).
- Document 8,000 hours of legally obtained plumbing work experience if applying by examination (up to 1,000 classroom hours may substitute).
- Pass the Alaska plumber journeyman examination (70%) unless licensed in a substantially similar jurisdiction.
- Provisional (1-year) certificate holders may not perform fuel gas work.
- Pay the fees ($50–$250 ($50 nonrefundable application fee + $200 journeyman certificate fee (2-year term) for a full reciprocal COF ($250 total); a one-year provisional COF is $50 application + $100 certificate ($150))) and allow Board states 7-10 business days for trainee certificates and renewals; no processing time stated for reciprocal/journeyman applications, and the division notes delays from an outdated system and limited staff.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Alaska accept a New York plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from New York to Alaska by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection Section, verify your New York license, and meet Alaska's endorsement requirements. Alaska waives its plumber journeyman exam for an applicant who holds a plumbing journeyman certificate or license from any U.S. jurisdiction the department finds has substantially similar requirements (judged on required work hours, a testing requirement, and registered-apprenticeship membership); an applicant from a jurisdiction that is not substantially similar must document 8,000 hours and pass the Alaska journeyman exam (70% to pass). No bilateral agreement is required — any qualifying jurisdiction is eligible (per 8 AAC 90.111/.112, effective Aug 8, 2025)..
Which exam applies moving from New York to Alaska?
Alaska waives its plumber journeyman exam for an applicant who holds a plumbing journeyman certificate or license from any U.S. jurisdiction the department finds has substantially similar requirements (judged on required work hours, a testing requirement, and registered-apprenticeship membership); an applicant from a jurisdiction that is not substantially similar must document 8,000 hours and pass the Alaska journeyman exam (70% to pass). No bilateral agreement is required — any qualifying jurisdiction is eligible (per 8 AAC 90.111/.112, effective Aug 8, 2025)..
What does the New York-to-Alaska move cost and how long does it take?
$50–$250 ($50 nonrefundable application fee + $200 journeyman certificate fee (2-year term) for a full reciprocal COF ($250 total); a one-year provisional COF is $50 application + $100 certificate ($150)); processing Board states 7-10 business days for trainee certificates and renewals; no processing time stated for reciprocal/journeyman applications, and the division notes delays from an outdated system and limited staff.
Can I keep my New York plumbing license after I'm licensed in Alaska?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the New York 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.
- Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection — Certificates of Fitness Statutes & Regulations, Aug 2025 (8 AAC 90.111 reciprocity; 90.112 provisional; 90.130 journeyman; AS 18.62.030 fees; FAQ) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection — home page ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $525 LIC41 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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