Maryland Plumber and Gas Fitter License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

Plumber and gas fitter licenses from the Maryland State Board of Plumbing renew every 2 years, and the Board says they expire two years from the date of issue, so go by the date on your own license. The renewal fee is $87.50 for a master plumber/gas fitter, $43.50 for a journey plumber/gas fitter and $18.50 for an apprentice, and there's no continuing education to keep a license. A master who contracts for plumbing work must also send proof of at least $300,000 of bodily injury and $100,000 of property damage liability insurance: the Board can't renew the license without it. Within 4 years of expiration the Board reinstates a license that meets the renewal requirements. After that, you also have to pass the appropriate examination.

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who provides or assists in providing plumbing services, or provides natural gas or propane gas services, in Maryland must be licensed (or, for propane, certified) by the Board, with exceptions the law lists, such as plumbing you personally do in your own residence (but not the final connection to a public or private disposal or water supply system). The Board says its licenses are required throughout the state except in Baltimore County and the areas of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties served by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which issue their own licenses, while its propane gas fitter certificate covers the entire state
Renews every: 2 years. The Board says its licenses and certificates expire two years from the date of issue: check the expiration date on your own license
Renewal notice: The Board says it sends an electronic renewal notice and instructions about 60 days before the license expires, to your last address of record (the law requires at least 1 month). If you haven't received one within a month of expiration, call 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925, or fax a written request to 410-333-6763
Renewal fee: Master plumber/gas fitter $87.50; journey plumber/gas fitter $43.50; apprentice plumber/gas fitter $18.50; master natural gas fitter $43.50; journeyman natural gas fitter $31.50; apprentice natural gas fitter $18.50. The fees are nonrefundable
Continuing education: None to keep a license. The Board requires 8 hours of continuing education each calendar year only for plumbing inspectors
Insurance: A master plumber (or limited master plumber) may not contract to provide plumbing services unless the work is covered by liability insurance, including completed operations, of at least $300,000 for bodily injury and at least $100,000 for property damage (the Board's page calls the first general liability, at least $400,000 per occurrence in all). The Board says umbrella coverage is not acceptable. A master who contracts must send proof of the insurance to renew, and the Board can't renew the license without it. Apprentice and journey plumbers don't need separate insurance. The law also makes failing to keep this insurance grounds for discipline for propane gas fitter certificate holders and master natural gas fitters: ask the Board what proof yours needs
Certificate of insurance: Name the Maryland State Board of Plumbing as certificate holder. It must show the licensed person's name and permanent registration or certificate number as insured under the policy, written through a company approved by the Maryland Insurance Administration to issue such policies in Maryland
Insurance cancelled: The law requires a master plumber to give the Board notice at least 10 days before a cancellation of the insurance takes effect
Renew: Online through the Board's Renew Your License page, before the license expires: you pay the renewal fee and submit the renewal application, plus proof of insurance if you contract for plumbing services
Expired license: The Board reinstates it if you apply within 4 years after it expired and meet the renewal requirements for your license
After 4 years: You must also pass the appropriate examination. The Board says you file a new application
Display and advertising: A master plumber displays the license and its number in the principal place of business, and the license number on each vehicle used on the job. Each plumbing advertisement must carry the license number and name of the master plumber the business designates to direct its plumbing services
Changes to report: Give the Board written notice of a change of name, address or employment at least 10 working days before it takes effect
Discipline: Besides reprimand, suspension or revocation, the Board may impose a penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation, including failing to keep the required insurance
Contact: Maryland Board of Plumbing, 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone 410-230-6379 (Baltimore area) or 1-888-218-5925 (toll free). Fax 410-962-8483

For an apprentice plumber or apprentice natural gas fitter first licensed on or after October 1, 2012, the law says the license can be renewed only a limited number of consecutive terms if you haven't taken or registered for the journey exam (a failed exam adds a term). The Board's fee page and the law give different numbers of terms: ask the Board how many your license has left.

Not contracting right now? The Board's FAQ says you can ask it to change a license between "not insured" and "insured to contract" work; moving to insured takes a current certificate of insurance.

How to renew

Check the expiration date on your license: it's two years from the date of issue.
Masters who contract: get a current certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 bodily injury (general liability) and $100,000 property damage, no umbrella coverage, with your name and permanent registration number and the Maryland State Board of Plumbing as certificate holder.
Renew online through the Board's Renew Your License page and pay the fee before the license expires.
No renewal notice a month before expiration? Call the Board at 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925, or fax a request to 410-333-6763.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

60 days outCheck your license's expiration date. Masters who contract: ask your insurer for a certificate naming the Maryland State Board of Plumbing as certificate holder, with your permanent registration number. Watch for the Board's renewal notice.
30 days outRenew online and pay the fee. No renewal notice yet? Call the Board at 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925.
7 days outCheck the Board's license search to confirm the renewal went through and your license shows its new expiration date.
Expiration dateRenewal is due before this date. Within 4 years the Board reinstates a license that meets the renewal requirements; after 4 years you must also pass the appropriate examination.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your bodily injury and property damage liability policies: the Board can't renew a contracting master's license without them, and needs 10 days' notice before they're cancelled
Your journey and apprentice plumbers' and gas fitters' licenses
Baltimore County or WSSC plumbing licenses, if you also work there: they're issued separately
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do Maryland plumbing licenses renew?

Every 2 years. The Board says its licenses and certificates expire two years from the date of issue: check the expiration date on your own license.

How much does it cost to renew a Maryland plumbing license?

Master plumber/gas fitter $87.50; journey plumber/gas fitter $43.50; apprentice plumber/gas fitter $18.50; master natural gas fitter $43.50; journeyman natural gas fitter $31.50; apprentice natural gas fitter $18.50.

Do Maryland plumbers need continuing education to renew?

No. There's no continuing education to keep a license. The Board requires 8 hours of continuing education each calendar year only for plumbing inspectors.

What insurance does a Maryland master plumber need?

To contract for plumbing services, liability insurance, including completed operations, of at least $300,000 for bodily injury and at least $100,000 for property damage. The Board says umbrella coverage is not acceptable, and it can't renew a contracting master's license without proof of the insurance.

How long can a Maryland plumbing license be expired?

The Board reinstates it if you apply within 4 years after it expired and meet the renewal requirements. After 4 years you must also pass the appropriate examination.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Maryland State Board of Plumbing, Renew Your License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Maryland guides

All Maryland guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Maryland Plumber and Gas Fitter License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who provides or assists in providing plumbing services, or provides natural gas or propane gas services, in Maryland must be licensed (or, for propane, certified) by the Board, with exceptions the law lists, such as plumbing you personally do in your own residence (but not the final connection to a public or private disposal or water supply system). The Board says its licenses are required throughout the state except in Baltimore County and the areas of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties served by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which issue their own licenses, while its propane gas fitter certificate covers the entire state
Renews every: 2 years. The Board says its licenses and certificates expire two years from the date of issue: check the expiration date on your own license
Renewal notice: The Board says it sends an electronic renewal notice and instructions about 60 days before the license expires, to your last address of record (the law requires at least 1 month). If you haven't received one within a month of expiration, call 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925, or fax a written request to 410-333-6763
Renewal fee: Master plumber/gas fitter $87.50; journey plumber/gas fitter $43.50; apprentice plumber/gas fitter $18.50; master natural gas fitter $43.50; journeyman natural gas fitter $31.50; apprentice natural gas fitter $18.50. The fees are nonrefundable
Continuing education: None to keep a license. The Board requires 8 hours of continuing education each calendar year only for plumbing inspectors
Insurance: A master plumber (or limited master plumber) may not contract to provide plumbing services unless the work is covered by liability insurance, including completed operations, of at least $300,000 for bodily injury and at least $100,000 for property damage (the Board's page calls the first general liability, at least $400,000 per occurrence in all). The Board says umbrella coverage is not acceptable. A master who contracts must send proof of the insurance to renew, and the Board can't renew the license without it. Apprentice and journey plumbers don't need separate insurance. The law also makes failing to keep this insurance grounds for discipline for propane gas fitter certificate holders and master natural gas fitters: ask the Board what proof yours needs
Certificate of insurance: Name the Maryland State Board of Plumbing as certificate holder. It must show the licensed person's name and permanent registration or certificate number as insured under the policy, written through a company approved by the Maryland Insurance Administration to issue such policies in Maryland
Insurance cancelled: The law requires a master plumber to give the Board notice at least 10 days before a cancellation of the insurance takes effect
Renew: Online through the Board's Renew Your License page, before the license expires: you pay the renewal fee and submit the renewal application, plus proof of insurance if you contract for plumbing services
Expired license: The Board reinstates it if you apply within 4 years after it expired and meet the renewal requirements for your license
After 4 years: You must also pass the appropriate examination. The Board says you file a new application
Display and advertising: A master plumber displays the license and its number in the principal place of business, and the license number on each vehicle used on the job. Each plumbing advertisement must carry the license number and name of the master plumber the business designates to direct its plumbing services
Changes to report: Give the Board written notice of a change of name, address or employment at least 10 working days before it takes effect
Discipline: Besides reprimand, suspension or revocation, the Board may impose a penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation, including failing to keep the required insurance
Contact: Maryland Board of Plumbing, 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone 410-230-6379 (Baltimore area) or 1-888-218-5925 (toll free). Fax 410-962-8483

Not contracting right now? The Board's FAQ says you can ask it to change a license between "not insured" and "insured to contract" work; moving to insured takes a current certificate of insurance.

How to renew

Check the expiration date on your license: it's two years from the date of issue.
Masters who contract: get a current certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 bodily injury (general liability) and $100,000 property damage, no umbrella coverage, with your name and permanent registration number and the Maryland State Board of Plumbing as certificate holder.
Renew online through the Board's Renew Your License page and pay the fee before the license expires.
No renewal notice a month before expiration? Call the Board at 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925, or fax a request to 410-333-6763.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

60 days outCheck your license's expiration date. Masters who contract: ask your insurer for a certificate naming the Maryland State Board of Plumbing as certificate holder, with your permanent registration number. Watch for the Board's renewal notice.
30 days outRenew online and pay the fee. No renewal notice yet? Call the Board at 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925.
7 days outCheck the Board's license search to confirm the renewal went through and your license shows its new expiration date.
Expiration dateRenewal is due before this date. Within 4 years the Board reinstates a license that meets the renewal requirements; after 4 years you must also pass the appropriate examination.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your bodily injury and property damage liability policies: the Board can't renew a contracting master's license without them, and needs 10 days' notice before they're cancelled
Your journey and apprentice plumbers' and gas fitters' licenses
Baltimore County or WSSC plumbing licenses, if you also work there: they're issued separately
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do Maryland plumbing licenses renew?

Every 2 years. The Board says its licenses and certificates expire two years from the date of issue: check the expiration date on your own license.

How much does it cost to renew a Maryland plumbing license?

Do Maryland plumbers need continuing education to renew?

No. There's no continuing education to keep a license. The Board requires 8 hours of continuing education each calendar year only for plumbing inspectors.

What insurance does a Maryland master plumber need?

How long can a Maryland plumbing license be expired?

The Board reinstates it if you apply within 4 years after it expired and meet the renewal requirements. After 4 years you must also pass the appropriate examination.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Maryland State Board of Plumbing, Renew Your License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Maryland guides

All Maryland guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet