How to Get Your
Nebraska Plumbing License
Your complete guide to becoming a licensed plumber in Nebraska. Learn about city-specific requirements, exams, costs, and the step-by-step process for Lincoln and Omaha.
Nebraska Plumbing License Quick Facts
Minimum Age
16 years (Lincoln) / 18 years (Omaha)
Experience Required
4-12 years (varies by city)
License Fee
$20 - $250
Licensing Structure
City-by-City (No State License)
Renewal Period
Annual (Dec 31 in Omaha)
Continuing Education
6-10 hours/year
Important: No State-Wide Licensing in Nebraska
Nebraska does not have a state-wide governing agency for plumbers. You must contact the authorized city department to obtain a license for that particular city.
- Each major city (Lincoln, Omaha, etc.) has its own licensing requirements and processes
- There is no reciprocity agreement with other states
- Licenses are issued city-by-city, not statewide
This guide covers requirements for Nebraska's two largest cities: Lincoln and Omaha.
Who Provides Plumbing Licenses in Nebraska?
Since there is no state-wide plumbing license in Nebraska, each city has its own licensing authority. Here are the licensing bodies for the two main cities:
Nebraska City Licensing Authorities
Building and Safety Department, City of Lincoln
Lincoln Building & SafetyIssues plumbing licenses for the city of Lincoln
Planning Department, City of Omaha
Omaha Planning DeptIssues plumbing licenses for the city of Omaha
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Nebraska
Lincoln License Types
City of Lincoln Licenses
Lincoln Plumbing License Options
Apprentice License
Entry-level license for those learning the trade under supervision.
Key Requirements
- Register with the plumbing board
- Enroll in a plumbing apprenticeship program
- Pay $25 annual license fee
Journeyman Plumber License
License to install, repair, alter, or extend plumbing systems.
Key Requirements
- Register with the plumbing board
- Pass the journeyman plumbing exam
- Pay $50 annual license fee
Master Plumber License
Advanced license for design, planning, and supervision of plumbing work.
Key Requirements
- Register with the plumbing board
- Pass the master plumber exam
- Pay $75 annual license fee
Master Plumber Contractor License
Required for those who want to own and operate a plumbing business.
Key Requirements
- Pass the contractor plumber exam
- Pay $250 annual license fee
- $500,000 general liability insurance
Omaha License Types
City of Omaha Licenses
Omaha Plumbing License Options
Apprentice License
Work under direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete high school diploma or GED
- Enroll in board-approved apprenticeship program
Journeyman Plumber License
Install, repair, alter, or extend plumbing systems and supervise apprentices.
Key Requirements
- 4 years city-certified apprenticeship OR equivalent
- Pass journeyman plumbing exam
- Pay $20 + $1.60 tech fee
Master Plumber License
Design, plan, layout, and supervise various plumbing services.
Key Requirements
- 4 years as licensed journeyman in Omaha OR equivalent
- Pass master plumber exam
- Pay $100 + $8 tech fee
Lincoln Plumbing License Requirements
Lincoln Building & Safety Requirements
City of Lincoln Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
- Register with the plumbing board
- Pay the annual apprentice license fee of $25
- Enroll in a plumbing apprenticeship program
- Renew it every year by paying the license fee
2Journeyman Plumber
Mid-level license
Journeyman Plumber
Mid-level license
- Register with the plumbing board
- Pay the annual journeyman license fee of $50
- Pass the plumbing journeyman exam
- Renew it every year by paying the license fee
- Complete 6 hours of continuing education annually
3Master Plumber
Advanced license
Master Plumber
Advanced license
- Register with the plumbing board
- Pay the annual master license fee of $75
- Pass the master plumber exam
- Renew it every year by paying the license fee
- Complete 10 hours of continuing education annually
4Plumbing Contractor
For business owners
Plumbing Contractor
For business owners
- Register with the plumbing board
- Pay the annual contractor license fee of $250
- Pass the contractor plumber exam
- Renew it every year by paying the license fee
- Complete 10 hours of continuing education annually
- General liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000
- Payment bond of $5,000 IF excavating in the city right-of-way
Pro Tip
To get more help with Lincoln licensing, check out these YouTube videos uploaded by the board itself.
Omaha Plumbing License Requirements
Omaha Planning Department Requirements
City of Omaha Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete a high school diploma or GED
- Pay the apprentice license fee of $20 + $1.60 tech fee
- Must enroll in a board-approved apprenticeship program
- Submit a completed apprenticeship agreement form to the board
2Journeyman Plumber
Eligibility requirements (must meet ONE of the following)
Journeyman Plumber
Eligibility requirements (must meet ONE of the following)
- Complete 4 consecutive years of a city-certified apprenticeship program, OR
- Complete a course with equivalent instructional and on-the-job experience hours as required by the city-certified program, OR
- Complete a training period of at least 7 consecutive years accruing 7,000 hours with a minimum of 300 hours in each of those years, OR
- Be a licensed journeyman in a city of similar size and similar qualification criteria, OR
- Have experience of at least 8 consecutive years accruing 14,000 hours with a minimum of 300 hours in each year (applicable only if you worked in a community that doesn't require a license)
3Master Plumber
Eligibility requirements (must meet ONE of the following)
Master Plumber
Eligibility requirements (must meet ONE of the following)
- Complete 4 consecutive years of plumbing experience as a licensed journeyman in Omaha, OR
- Have evidence of qualifying as a master plumber in a city of similar size and similar qualification criteria, OR
- Have experience of at least 12 consecutive years accruing 21,000 hours with a minimum of 300 hours in each year (applicable only if you worked in a community that doesn't require a license)
Plumbing License Costs in Nebraska
Lincoln License Fees
City of Lincoln Fees
Lincoln License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | $25 | $25 |
| Journeyman Plumber Requires 6 hours CE annually | — | $50 | $50 |
| Master Plumber Requires 10 hours CE annually | — | $75 | $75 |
| Master Plumber Contractor Requires 10 hours CE annually + insurance + bond | — | $250 | $250 |
Omaha License Fees
City of Omaha Fees
Omaha License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | — | $20 + $1.60 tech fee | $20 + $1.60 tech fee |
| Journeyman Plus $19.50/year for ID badge | $50 + $4 tech fee | $20 + $1.60 tech fee | $20 + $1.60 tech fee |
| Master Requires 8 hours CE annually | $75 + $6 tech fee | $100 + $8 tech fee | $75 + $6 tech fee |
License Renewal Information
Omaha: All licenses expire on December 31st each year. Renew accordingly.
Continuing Education Requirements:
- Lincoln Journeyman: 6 hours/year
- Lincoln Master/Contractor: 10 hours/year
- Omaha Journeyman/Master: 8 hours/year
Nebraska Plumbing Exam Details
Omaha Journeyman Plumber Exam
3-Part Exam Structure
Omaha Journeyman Plumbing Examination
135 minutes
100 questions, 105 minutes
Hands-on skills, 210 minutes
Exam Details
View the Omaha Journeyman Exam Reference Material for more information.
Omaha Master Plumber Exam
4-Part Exam Structure
Omaha Master Plumbing Examination
Blueprint reading and design, 240 minutes
100 questions, 90 minutes
100 questions, 120 minutes
Hands-on skills, 240 minutes
Exam Details
View the Omaha Master Exam Reference Material for more information.
Steps to Get Your Nebraska Plumbing License
Lincoln License Process
City of Lincoln Process
Lincoln Plumbing License Steps
Register for the License
Register yourself with the Lincoln Building and Safety Department for the license type you want.
Register for LicenseSubmit Required Documentation
Show the required valid documentation for the license you want to obtain.
Pay the License Fee
Pay the required license fee ($25-$250 depending on license type).
Pass the Plumbing Exam
For Journeyman, Master, and Contractor licenses, you must pass the appropriate plumbing examination.
Congratulations! You're Licensed!
You are now a licensed plumber in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Omaha License Process
City of Omaha Process
Omaha Plumbing License Steps
Meet Age and Education Requirements
Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Find an Apprenticeship Program
Enroll in a board-approved apprenticeship program and submit your apprenticeship agreement form.
View Approved ProgramsApply for Apprentice License
Pay the apprentice license fee of $20 + $1.60 tech fee and start your apprenticeship.
Gain Required Experience
Complete 4 years of city-certified apprenticeship (or meet alternative experience requirements for journeyman).
Apply for and Pass Journeyman Exam
Submit your journeyman exam application, pay $50 + $4 tech fee, and pass all three parts of the exam.
Journeyman Exam ApplicationObtain Journeyman License
Pay the initial license fee of $20 + $1.60 tech fee and annual ID badge fee of $19.50.
Work as Licensed Journeyman
Gain 4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman plumber in Omaha to qualify for the Master exam.
Apply for and Pass Master Exam
Submit your master exam application, pay $75 + $6 tech fee, and pass all four parts with 80% or higher.
Master Exam ApplicationObtain Required Insurance and Bond
Get insurance coverage of minimum $1 million and a surety bond of minimum $10,000.
Congratulations! You're a Master Plumber!
You are now a licensed master plumber in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Start Your FREE TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Does Nebraska have a reciprocity agreement with any other US State?
No. Nebraska doesn't have any reciprocity agreement with any other state, as no state-level plumbing licenses are provided in Nebraska. Licensing is handled city-by-city.
How long does it take to get licensed in Nebraska?
It depends upon the type of license you want to get and which city you're applying in:
- Apprentice License: Can be obtained relatively quickly once you meet basic requirements
- Journeyman License: Typically requires 4-7 years of documented experience
- Master License: Requires an additional 4-12 years of experience beyond journeyman level
However, you can start earning right from the start of your apprenticeship. Check out the list of board-approved apprenticeship programs to get started.
What's the difference between Lincoln and Omaha plumbing licenses?
Lincoln and Omaha have separate licensing requirements:
- Lincoln: Offers 4 license types (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, Contractor) with simpler renewal requirements
- Omaha: Offers 3 license types (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master) with more stringent exam requirements
- Lincoln requires 6-10 hours CE, while Omaha requires 8 hours CE
- Omaha has stricter exam passing scores (75-80%) compared to other cities
- Fees vary significantly between the two cities
A license from one city does not automatically allow you to work in the other city.
How much can I earn as a plumber in Nebraska?
Plumbers in Nebraska earn $28.38 an hour on average, according to Indeed. This provides a solid income, especially as you advance to journeyman, master, or contractor levels where you can earn significantly more.
Can I work in other Nebraska cities with my Lincoln or Omaha license?
Since Nebraska has city-by-city licensing rather than statewide licensing, you'll need to check with each individual city's requirements. Major cities like Lincoln and Omaha have their own licensing boards and requirements. Smaller cities may have different requirements or may accept licenses from larger cities.
Conclusion
Any amount of hassle for getting licensed as a plumber is worth it, especially in Nebraska where plumbers earn $28.38 an hour on average, as per the data from Indeed. While Nebraska's city-by-city licensing structure may seem complex, it allows you to get licensed and start working in your local area.
If you are looking to grow your brand as a plumbing business, you can earn much more as a business owner and contractor.
Career Advice
Start with an apprentice license in your city and work your way up through journeyman to master plumber. Once you have the experience and credentials, consider becoming a licensed contractor to maximize your earning potential and business opportunities.
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