Master Plumber License
For general exam information see the submenu above.
Materials and Equipment Required for Taking Practical Examination
Test Description
Applicants will be required to produce two work specimens:
- Black Steel Piping Assembly:
- Copper Sweat Assembly:
Appealing Examination Results
CPS HR’s goal is to provide quality examinations and a pleasant testing experience for candidates. If you are dissatisfied with either and believe CPS HR can correct the problem, please use the comment forms available during your written examination administration or following your practical examination. Your comments will be reviewed by CPS HR.
If you fail the written examination by five (5) points or fewer, or if you fail the practical examination by no more than one (1) exam criterion, you may submit an appeal. The appeal must state the title of the license examination, your name, return address, the date of the test, and a detailed statement of the grounds for appeal. Your appeal must be received no later than thirty (30) days from the date of notification of failure to pass the license examination. An appeal form can be found at the CPS HR website: https://link.cpshr.us/DOBAppealForm.
Please review and fill out the Written and Practical Examination Appeal form. Submit your appeal to CPS HR Consulting at [email protected] using the same email address provided to NYC DOB on your LIC41 (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/lic41.pdf) or LIC42 (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/lic42.pdf).
Content Outline
The content outline for the New York City Master Plumber Written Examination is provided below. The examination is closed book and contains 100 multiple-choice questions. The outline lists all topics covered in the examination and the number of questions asked about each topic.
Scope of Written Examination
The examination will assess a candidate’s knowledge of and experience in applying the relative portions of the NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations, as well as trade specific industry knowledge.
Master Plumber Written Examination
| Number of Questions | Minimum Passing Score |
Time Allowed |
| 100 | 70 (70%) | 4 hours |
| Subject Area | Number of Items | References |
| Drainage | 21 | |
| Installation | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 3 |
| Maintenance | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 7 |
| Inspection Requirements | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 1 |
| Permits | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 1, NYC ADC Ch. 1, NYC BC Appendix G |
| Indirect/Special Waste | 1 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 8 |
| Sanitary Drainage | 4 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 6, NYC PC Ch. 7, NYC FGC Ch. 3 |
| Storm Drainage | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 11 |
| Vents | 4 | NYC PC Ch. 9 |
| Equipment | 23 | |
| Installation (Equipment) | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 4, NYC ADC Ch. 2, NYC ADC Ch. 3 |
| Maintenance (Equipment) | 1 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 6 |
| Inspection Requirements (Equipment | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 1, NYC PC Ch. 3 |
| Permits (Equipment) | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 1 |
| Materials (Equipment) | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 7 |
| Limited Alterations | 2 | NYC ADC Ch. 1, NYC BC Ch. 1 |
| Applicability | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 1 |
| Fixtures, Faucets, and Fittings | 4 | NYC PC Ch. 4, NYC PC Ch. 6, NYC PC Ch. 8 |
| Sizing | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 6, NYC PC Appendix E |
| Special Piping and Storage | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 12 |
| Traps | 1 | NYC PC Ch. 10 |
| Gas Piping | 29 | |
| Installation (Gas) | 3 | NYC FGC Ch. 1, NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Maintenance (Gas) | 3 | NYC FGC Ch. 4, NYC ADC Ch. 3 |
| Inspection Requirements (Gas) | 3 | NYC FGC Ch. 1, NYC FGC Ch. 4, NYC ADC Ch. 3 |
| Permits (Gas) | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 1, NYC FGC Ch. 1, NYC ADC Ch. 1 |
| Materials (Gas) | 3 | NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Sizing (Gas) | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 8, NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Gas Appliances | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 5, NYC PC Ch. 6 |
| Drips and Sloped Piping | 1 | NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Flow Controls | 2 | NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Piping Support/Systems | 3 | NYC FGC Ch. 1, NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Shut-off Valves | 2 | NYC FGC Ch. 4 |
| Water Supply | ||
| Installation (Water) | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 6 |
| Maintenance (Water) | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 3 |
| Inspection Requirements (Water) | 2 | NYC PC Ch. 1, NYC PC Ch. 3 |
| Permits (Water) | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 1, NYC ADC Ch. 1 |
| Water Recycling Systems | 3 | NYC PC Ch. 13 |
| Water Distribution | 4 | NYC PC Ch. 3, NYC PC Ch. 4, NYC PC Ch. 6 |
| Fire Protection | ||
| Standpipe and Sprinkler Installation | 3 | NYC BC Appendix Q |
| Standpipe and Sprinkler Maintenance | 3 | NYC BC Ch. 33, NYC BC Appendix Q |
| Inspection Requirements (Fire) | 2 | NYC BC Appendix Q |
| Permits (Fire) | 2 | NYC ADC Ch. 1 |
| NYC ADC = NYC Administrative Code. NYC BC = NYC Construction Codes: Building Code. NYC FGC = NYC Construction Codes: Fuel Gas Code. NYC PC = NYC Constructions Codes: Plumbing Code. | ||
The content outline for the New York City Master Plumber Practical Examination is provided below. The examination is divided into two parts. The outline lists all topics covered in the examination.
Scope of Practical Examination
The examination will assess a candidate’s skill in applying the relative portions of the NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations, as well as trade-specific industry knowledge.
Master Plumber Practical Examination
| Examination Parts | Topic | Time Allowed |
| Part 1 | Black Steel Piping Assembly | 4 hours |
| Part 2 | Copper Sweat Assembly – Vertical |
Reference List
The reference list provided below includes suggested materials that could assist you in preparing for the examination. The examination questions reference NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations. Please note that the references below may cite portions of other codes, rules, or regulations. You may be tested on information in these additional sources that are applicable to your trade. The knowledge that will be tested in the examinations will be taken from these materials in addition to applied field knowledge of the Master Plumber trade.
This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the testing site.
- 2022 NYC Administrative Code, Title 28, Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 2: Enforcement; Chapter 3: Maintenance of Buildings, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 33: Safeguards During Construction or Demolition; Appendix G: Flood-Resistant Construction; Appendix Q: Modified National Standards for Automatic Sprinkler, Standpipe, Fire Pump, Fire Alarm, and Smoke Control Systems, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes: Fuel Gas Code, Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 3: General Regulations; Chapter 4: Gas Piping Installations, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes: Plumbing Code, Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 3: General Regulations; Chapter 4: Fixtures‚ Faucets and Fixture Fittings; Chapter 5: Water Heaters; Chapter 6: Water Supply and Distribution; Chapter 7: Sanitary Drainage; Chapter 8: Indirect/Special Waste; Chapter 9: Vents; Chapter 10: Traps‚ Interceptors and Separators; Chapter 11: Storm Drainage; Chapter 12: Special Piping and Storage Systems; Chapter 13: Nonpotable Water Systems; Appendix E: Sizing of Water Piping System, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.