43-18-01. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

1. "Board" means the state board of plumbing.

2. "Journeyman plumber" means any person, other than a master plumber, who, as the person's principal occupation, is engaged in the practical installation, alteration, and repair of plumbing.

3. "Master plumber" means a person skilled in the planning, supervision, and the practical installation, alteration, and repair of plumbing, and familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations governing the same.

4. "Plumber's apprentice" means any person other than a journeyman or a master plumber, who, as the person's principal occupation, is engaged in learning and assisting in the installation, alteration, and repair of plumbing and drainage, under the immediate and personal supervision of either a master or a journeyman plumber.

5. "Plumbing" means the installation, maintenance, extension, alteration, and removal of all piping, plumbing fixtures, plumbing appliances, and other appurtenances in connection with bringing water into, and using the same in buildings, and for removing liquids and water-carried wastes therefrom.

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43-18-10. Firm engaged in installing plumbing to employ master plumber - Exceptions. No person, firm, corporation, or limited liability company shall engage in the business of installing plumbing and shall not install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of plumbing materials and supplies in any location of this state having a public system of waterworks or sewerage, unless at all times a registered and licensed master plumber, who is responsible for the proper installation thereof, is in charge of such work. In cities of less than one thousand population and in all rural areas, a licensed journeyman plumber may engage in the business of installing plumbing.

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43-18-11. License required - Exception for homeowner and full-time employee. No person, firm, corporation, or limited liability company shall engage in the business of a master plumber, journeyman plumber, or plumber's apprentice in any location of this state having a public system of waterworks or sewerage unless registered and licensed to do so by the board. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standards prescribed by the board on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the person as a residence, or may do plumbing repair on premises where the person is employed in full-time maintenance work, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance. Public water system employees may install and maintain service lines and water meters on premises served by the water system.

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43-18-11.1. When license not required. Employees of dealers in household appliances need not be licensed pursuant to this chapter when installing household appliances, if any necessary plumbing work is incidental to the installation of the appliance and the work could be performed by a plumber's apprentice.

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43-18-11.2. Conviction not bar to licensure - Exceptions. Conviction of an offense does not disqualify a person from licensure under this chapter unless the board determines that the offense has a direct bearing upon a person's ability to serve the public as a plumber, or that, following conviction of any offense, the person is not sufficiently rehabilitated under section 12.1-33-02.1.

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43-18-11.3. Advertising prohibited - Exceptions - Penalty.

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1. Except as provided in this section, if a plumbing license is required under section 43-18-11 or by local ordinance, no person offering plumbing contracting services may advertise as a plumbing contractor, master plumber, or journeyman plumber unless the person employs a licensed journeyman plumber, or the person is a licensed master plumber. Any advertisement must contain the appropriate license number. This section does not apply to advertising purchased or contracted for prior to July 1, 1989.

2. ...

   1. A person violating this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor for a first conviction, but no fine in excess of one hundred dollars and no term of imprisonment may be imposed.​

   2. A person violating this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent conviction, but the penalties are as follows:

      1. For a second conviction, no fine in excess of one thousand dollars and no term of imprisonment may be imposed.​

      2. For a third or subsequent conviction, a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or imprisonment not to exceed thirty days, or both, may be imposed.

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43-18-11.4. Plumbing inspectors - License required - Exception. A person employed by the state board of plumbing or a political subdivision to inspect plumbing installations must be licensed as a journeyman or master plumber. This section does not apply to an inspector employed by the board of plumbing or a political subdivision as of July 2, 1989.

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43-18-12. Examination - When held - Notice. Examinations must be held at the time and place prescribed by the board. Notice of such examinations must be given by mail to all persons who have made application to take the examination. The board may call a special examination at any time.

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43-18-13. License - How obtained - Fee. Any person qualified under the rules of the board who desires to take the examination to become a registered and licensed plumber shall make application to the board therefor and pay to the treasurer of the board the examination fee. Such fee may not exceed two hundred dollars for a master plumber's certificate and license and one hundred dollars for a journeyman plumber's certificate and license. The board, when the condition of its fund permits and when in its judgment it is deemed advisable, may reduce the amount of the examination fees, but it may not increase the same above the amount specified in this section. Any such change must be adopted by the board to take effect on the first day of January following its action and must apply to all examination fees in the classes specified in the ruling. The applicant shall appear at the next regular meeting of the board for examination of applicants. If upon examination the applicant is found by the board to be qualified as a master plumber or journeyman plumber, or both, it shall issue to the applicant a certificate of registration and license which entitles the applicant to do the work and be a plumber as specified in the license. A master plumber's and journeyman plumber's license may be issued to one and the same person, and the holder of a master plumber's license may be granted a journeyman plumber's license without the payment of the journeyman's fee. All certificates and licenses must be numbered consecutively and may not be transferable, and no person may work under the license issued to another person. Should a person fail upon examination to qualify as a master or journeyman plumber, such person has the right to review the examination to determine the reasons for failure and has the right to appeal to the board.

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43-18-13.1. Reciprocity with other states. The board may register, without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants registered under the laws of other states having requirements for regulating plumbers which the board determines are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state in those instances when such other state grants similar privileges to North Dakota residents licensed under this chapter.

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43-18-14. Board to keep register of licenses issued. The board shall keep a register in which must be entered the names and addresses of all persons to whom certificates of registration and license are issued under the provisions of this chapter as master plumbers, and also a register in which must be entered the names and addresses of all persons to whom certificates of registration and license are issued under the provisions of this chapter as journeyman plumbers. Such register must be open to the public for inspection.