State Board of Examiners

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NOTICE regarding Reference Books for Examinations

The North Carolina Department of Insurance has set the effective date for the 2012 Fuel Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing codes for June 1, 2012. The updated examinations for Fuel Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing licenses will be given beginning June 1, 2012.  The examinations will reflect any changes in the codes and the 2012 codes will be used as the reference book(s) for the examinations.

 If you take the examination(s) prior to June 1, 2012, they will be based on the current codes; however, if you are taking the examination(s) or repeating a failed examination after June 1, 2012, you will be taking the updated examination(s) based on the 2012 codes.

• Click here to download Licensing Application Forms
• Book Reference List (examination date prior to June 1, 2012)
• Book Reference List (examination date June 1, 2012 or later)
• Eligibility Requirements
• List Applicants Eligible to Sit for an Exam

There are currently no active reciprocity agreements with any other state. All persons desiring to obtain licensure with this Board must meet the requirements listed herein and satisfactorily complete the applicable examination(s).

All applicants are required to obtain a current copy of the Board's Laws and Rules book prior to making application to the Board for any examination or license. Click here for the book order form.

Please Note: The following eligibility requirements are provided as a general outline, and may not be detailed or inclusive of all eligibility requirements. Please consult the examination application form and the Board's Laws and Rules book for complete eligibility requirements.

Click here for license definitions

Plumbing and/or Heating license: To be eligible to take the Plumbing, Heating Group No. 1, Heating Group No. 2 and/or Heating Group No. 3 examination(s), an applicant must have 2 years (4,000 hours) on-site full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing or heating systems related to the category for which license is sought, whether or not license was required for the work performed. However, up to one-half (2,000 hours) (45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours) of the experience requirement may be in academic or technical training directly related to the field of endeavor for which the examination is requested.

Fuel Piping license: To be eligible to take the Fuel Piping examination, an applicant must have 1 year (2,000 hours) of experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of fuel piping. However, up to one-half (1,000 hours) (22 quarter hours or 15 semester hours) of the experience may be in academic or technical training directly related to fuel piping. Fuel piping privileges are included in the Plumbing and Heating Group 1, 2, and 3 licenses, and do not require a separate examination for persons applying for or currently holding one or more of these licenses.

Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor license: To be eligible to take the Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor examination, an applicant must hold a current certification by NICET for "Fire Protection Engineering, Level III, Automatic Sprinkler System Layout".

Residential Fire Sprinkler Contractor license: To be eligible to take the Residential Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor examination, an applicant must have held a Plumbing license issued by the Board for at least three (3) years and must complete the required sixteen (16) hour educational course approved by the Board. Please refer to class schedule at the top of this page for information.

Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contractor license: To be eligible to take the Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contractor examination, an applicant must hold a current certification by NICET for "Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, Level III".

Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician license: To be eligible to take the Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician examination, an applicant must have 2 years (4,000 hours) experience in inspection and testing of previously installed fire sprinkler systems, or 2 years (4,000 hours) experience in the installation of previously installed fire sprinkler systems, or a combination of both. This license may be obtained without examination for individuals who hold a valid NICET Level II Certification in Inspection and Testing of Water-based Fire Protection Systems.

Fire Sprinkler Maintenance license: The Fire Sprinkler Maintenance license is available without examination for full-time maintenance staff of a particular facility who have 2 years (4,000 hours) experience or 1 year (2,000 hours) and 6 hours of approved education.

Exam	Duration
Plumbing + Business and Law	4 hours 1 hour
Heating, Group No. 1 + Business and Law	4 hours 1 hour
Heating, Group No. 2 + Business and Law	4 hours 1 hour
Heating, Group No. 3 + Business and Law	4 hours 1 hour
Fuel Piping + Business and Law	2 hours 1 hour
Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor Business and Law Only	1 hour
Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contractor Business and Law Only	1 hour
Residential Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor	2 hours
Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician (no NICET certificate)	3 hours
Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician (NICET Level II)	No examination
Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician	No examination