Plumber License from Kansas to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) ↗
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Kansas plumbing license holders. You must apply to the No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
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Verdict
Full re-application
There is nothing at the state level to transfer your Kansas license into: New York issues no statewide plumbing license, so plumbers there are licensed at the contractor level or by cities and counties. Not applicable at the state level — New York issues no statewide plumber license, so there is no state journeyman exam to waive or transfer. Each municipality (e.g., New York City) sets and administers its own plumber licensing and exams and generally does not recognize licenses issued by other jurisdictions.. The move is a local or contractor-board application, not a reciprocity filing — identify the authority that governs your worksite and work from its exam, experience, and fee rules. Your Kansas license may count toward a local experience requirement, but New York has no state credential for it to reciprocate into.
What changes, Kansas → New York
| Kansas (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No state fee exists; fees are set locally (e.g., the Wichita/Sedgwick County journeyman exam fee is about $125). Confirm with the specific city or county. | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ |
| Processing time | No state process; timelines are set by each local jurisdiction. | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority |
| Licensing authority | No state plumbing board — plumbing is licensed by Kansas cities and counties (e.g., Johnson County Contractor Licensing; Sedgwick County / City of Wichita Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department). The Kansas State Board of Technical Professions licenses engineers, architects, and surveyors, not plumbers. | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review New York's initial-licensure requirements on the No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet New York's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees (Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ).
- Allow No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New York accept a Kansas plumbing license?
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Kansas plumbing license holders. You must apply to the No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam applies moving from Kansas to New York?
Not applicable at the state level — New York issues no statewide plumber license, so there is no state journeyman exam to waive or transfer. Each municipality (e.g., New York City) sets and administers its own plumber licensing and exams and generally does not recognize licenses issued by other jurisdictions..
What does the Kansas-to-New York move cost and how long does it take?
Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ; processing No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority.
Can I keep my Kansas plumbing license after I'm licensed in New York?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Kansas credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $525 LIC41 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Johnson County (KS) Contractor Licensing — license types incl. plumbing (Class DP) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Johnson County (KS) Contractor Licensing — department home & license search ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Sedgwick County (KS) — Master & Journeyman Trade Certificates (Wichita/MABCD) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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