Plumber License from New York to Connecticut: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Connecticut accept a New York plumbing license?
There is no New York state license to carry to Connecticut: New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license. Connecticut does license this work, so ask the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license — plumbing there is regulated at the contractor level or by cities and counties — so there is no New York state license for Connecticut to verify or endorse. Connecticut does license plumbers, through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board, and it reviews out-of-state plumbers for endorsement, but that route starts from a state license. Ask the board, in writing, whether it credits a local New York license, a contractor-level credential or your documented hours; otherwise plan to qualify as a new journeyman applicant. Connecticut has no reciprocity agreements and does not waive its plumbing examination; every applicant, including one qualifying through an equivalent out-of-state license, must pass the Connecticut P-2 journeyperson examination. An equivalent out-of-state license only substitutes for a Connecticut-registered apprenticeship in meeting the 576 classroom-hour + 8,000 on-the-job-training-hour requirement.
What's different between New York and Connecticut
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Connecticut. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
New York to Connecticut (this page): No state license to transfer.
Connecticut to New York (the reverse move): No state license to transfer.
New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so neither direction is a state-license transfer.
- Does coming from New York matter?
Coming from New York matters here: only 9 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Connecticut.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (41).
- Fee and processing
New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so there is no New York state license application fee or processing time to compare with Connecticut's.
- Exam rules on record
Connecticut and New York carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Connecticut (this move): Connecticut has no reciprocity agreements and does not waive its plumbing examination; every applicant, including one qualifying through an equivalent out-of-state license, must pass the Connecticut P-2 journeyperson examination. An equivalent out-of-state license only substitutes for a Connecticut-registered apprenticeship in meeting the 576 classroom-hour + 8,000 on-the-job-training-hour requirement
- New York (the reverse move): Not applicable at the state level — New York issues no statewide plumber license, so there is no state journeyman exam to waive or transfer. Each municipality (e.g., New York City) sets and administers its own plumber licensing and exams and generally does not recognize licenses issued by other jurisdictions.
What changes, New York → Connecticut
| New York (current) | Connecticut (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | — | 576 |
| Application fee | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., New York City charges a $585 Master Plumber written-exam fee and a separate $530 practical-exam fee (both paid through DOB NOW; the practical is applied for only after passing the written exam), then a $500 background-investigation fee and a $200 license fee — other cities/counties differ | $90 ($90 non-refundable journeyperson application fee; license renews annually (all plumbing/pipefitting licenses expire October 31) with a $120 journeyperson renewal fee; a separate examination fee is paid to the exam vendor at registration. The contractor (P-1) application fee is $150) |
| Processing time | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority | No board-stated processing time |
| Licensing authority | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Connecticut sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Connecticut's requirements on the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board whether it credits a local New York license or your documented experience: New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Connecticut's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my New York credential after I'm licensed in Connecticut?
Nothing changes it. New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so any local or contractor-level New York credential you hold runs on its own authority's renewal rules, independently of your Connecticut license.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified New York 2026-10-29, Connecticut 2026-07-21.
- CT DCP — Plumbing Journeyperson: Equivalent Out of State License (576 classroom + 8,000 OJT hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CT DCP — Plumbing and Pipefitting Licensing (fees; exam required for all; no reciprocity) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $585 written / $530 practical exam fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NYC Department of Buildings — DOB NOW: Licensing Fees by License Type (Master Plumber: $585 written, $530 practical, $500 background, $200 license issuance) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources New York 2026-10-29, Connecticut 2026-07-21
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