Frequently Asked Questions

PlumberPractice is an AI-powered study platform built for plumbers preparing for the US journeyman plumber license exam — the open-book International Plumbing Code (IPC). Candidates prepare on the same platform: code-navigation theory for every IPC chapter, realistic exam simulations, and code-cited explanations for every practice question.

The exam is open book and consists of two separately scored parts, both based on the 2026 National Plumbing Code (IPC):

• IPC Knowledge — 59 questions, 130 minutes
• Calculations — 26 questions, 110 minutes

PlumberPractice combines adaptive difficulty, timed exam simulations, and code-referenced explanations to build the code-navigation skills that make the difference on exam day.

PlumberPractice covers both parts of the Journeyman Plumber exam.

The IPC Knowledge material follows the standard study areas for the knowledge portion:

• Code Administration & Definitions (IPC Chapter 1)
• General Regulations: Materials & Joints (IPC Chapter 3)
• Plumbing Fixtures & Fittings (IPC Chapter 4)
• Water Heaters & Hot Water Systems (IPC Chapter 5)
• Water Supply & Distribution (IPC Chapter 6)
• Sanitary Drainage Systems (IPC Chapter 7)
• Vents & Venting (IPC Chapter 9)
• Traps, Interceptors & Storm Drainage (IPC Chapters 10-11)

The Calculations material covers the five calculation areas:

• Fixture Units and Water Demand (IPC Ch. 6)
• Water Pipe Sizing (IPC 604.3)
• Drainage Slope and Sizing (IPC 704.1)
• Vents, Traps and Cleanout Locations

Every question is tagged by IPC article and topic so you can target your weak areas precisely.

Yes. Both the IPC code navigation and calculations parts are open-book, multiple-choice exams (four answer choices per question) that test your ability to find and apply IPC requirements quickly and accurately.

Success depends on code navigation:

• Knowing which IPC chapter and article covers which topic
• Using the index and tabs efficiently under time pressure
• Reading sections carefully, including their exceptions and tables

PlumberPractice questions are designed to build exactly that skill.

The reference book at the test center is the 2026 edition of the National Plumbing Code (IPC), in soft-bound format. Manufacturer tabs and highlighting are permitted, which is why our practice materials reference IPC articles and tables throughout.

We recommend studying with your own copy of the IPC so you build the tab-and-index habits you will rely on during the real exam.

Yes. A non-programmable calculator is permitted on both exam parts — the calculations part in particular relies on arithmetic for fixture units, water demand, and pipe sizing.

Check the PSI candidate bulletin for the current list of approved calculator models before exam day.

The Journeyman Plumber exam is administered as two separately timed parts:

• IPC Knowledge — 59 questions, 130 minutes
• Calculations — 26 questions, 110 minutes

That is 240 minutes (4 hours) of total exam time across both parts. Our exam simulations mirror these question counts and time limits.

Each part is scored separately, and you need a score of 70% on each part to pass. Because the IPC code navigation and calculations parts are scored independently, you must pass both to earn your journeyman license.

Because the IPC code navigation and calculations parts are scored separately, you retake only the part you failed rather than the entire exam.

Retake scheduling and any waiting periods are handled through PSI and state board — check the current candidate bulletin for re-application requirements before scheduling.

The exam is administered by PSI Services on behalf of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (state board). It is delivered on a computer at a PSI test center, and you register and schedule your appointment through PSI.

Your license application is filed with state board before you can sit for the exam; fees and scheduling details are published in the official candidate bulletin.

In Texas, journeyman plumber applicants are generally required to document approximately 8,000 hours (about four years) of on-the-job plumbing experience working under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber, and to file an application with state board before taking the exam.

Experience documentation and application requirements can change, so verify the current rules on the state board website before you apply.

Journeyman plumber licenses in Texas must be renewed periodically, and continuing education is typically required as part of renewal.

Renewal deadlines and CE requirements are set by state board — check the state board website for the current schedule and the courses that apply to your license.

PlumberPractice adjusts question difficulty based on your performance:

• Score 80% or higher on a set of questions → difficulty increases (EASY → MEDIUM → HARD)
• Score below 50% → difficulty decreases

This keeps you studying at the right level so your time is always spent efficiently.

The AI Tutor is an interactive chat feature that helps you understand difficult concepts. When you encounter a question you do not understand, you can ask the AI Tutor for a simplified explanation.

It breaks complex IPC requirements into clear, digestible answers, citing the relevant articles and tables.

PlumberPractice offers four plans:

• FREE — first chapter of both exam parts, with practice and theory included
• MONTHLY — $29.99 per month, full access to all 13 chapters and features
• YEARLY — $99 per year (2 months free vs Monthly)
• LIFETIME — $199 one-time payment for permanent access to all current and future content

PlumberPractice includes a question bank of over 7,200 questions spanning both exam parts.

• Scenario-based questions with exact IPC references (article, section, and table)
• Calculation practice for fixture units, water demand, pipe sizing, and drainage slope
• New questions added regularly to stay aligned with code updates

FREE users have access to a subset of questions, while paid subscribers get the full bank.

PlumberPractice is a web application optimized for desktop and mobile browsers. You can study anywhere, anytime from your phone, tablet, or computer — no app download required. The responsive design adapts to any screen size.

Yes, PlumberPractice provides detailed analytics to help you identify weak areas and focus your study time:

• Accuracy by chapter
• Difficulty progression
• Exam history
• Performance trends

Getting started takes three steps:

• Visit plumberpractice.com and create a free account
• Choose the FREE plan to try the first chapter of each exam part
• Upgrade to MONTHLY, YEARLY, or LIFETIME when you are ready for full access

Yes. In addition to the Journeyman Plumber exam, PlumberPractice now covers the US journeyman plumber exam — International Plumbing Code (IPC) — with realistic simulations. Candidates in every state prepare on the same AI-powered platform, with code-referenced question banks, exam simulations, and an AI Tutor.

The platform serves journeyman plumber candidates nationwide with one open-book IPC question bank, simulations, and an AI tutor. content — Massachusetts exam content (Part I and Part II Applied) is live.

The Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber exam is administered by PSI for the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and consists of two parts:

• Part I — 80 questions, 180 minutes, 70% passing score
• Part II Applied — 30 questions, 60 minutes

Both parts are open book against the 2026 National Plumbing Code (IPC, adopted in Massachusetts effective April 2026) and 527 CMR 12.00, the Massachusetts amendments to the code. PlumberPractice exam simulations mirror the Part I and Part II Applied question counts and time limits.

Yes — one account covers all the US. The Free plan includes the first chapter of each exam part, and the Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime plans unlock full access to every state track on the same shared platform.

Texas content is fully unchanged and still included. Nothing was removed or replaced when Massachusetts coverage launched — you simply get more states for the same price.

PlumberPractice currently covers the US journeyman plumber exam — open-book International Plumbing Code (IPC). The Colorado journeyman plumber exam (Colorado State Plumbing Board · DORA, administered by PSI) is 90 questions in 240 minutes, open book against the IPC (in effect since August 1, 2026), passed at 70% (63 correct). See the Colorado Journeyman Plumber Guide for the full licensing path: 8,000 hours of experience (2,000 commercial/industrial) plus 288 classroom hours.

Yes. PlumberPractice now covers New Hampshire too. The New Hampshire journeyman plumber exam (Plumbers' Board via OPLC, administered by Prov) is 110 questions in 270 minutes, open book against the IPC 2023 + NH amendments, passed at 70% (77 correct). The 12 subject areas include New Hampshire laws and rules (RSA 319-C, Elec 300–400). See the New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Guide for the full licensing path.

Yes. PlumberPractice now covers Vermont too. The Vermont journeyman plumber exam (Division of Fire Safety · Plumbers' Licensing Board, administered by ProV) is 90 questions in 240 minutes, open book against the IPC 2023 + Vermont amendments (26 V.S.A.), passed at 70% (63 correct). See the Vermont Journeyman Plumber Guide for the full licensing path: apprenticeship or 12,000-hour equivalent experience.

Yes. PlumberPractice now covers Oregon too. The Oregon General Journeyman plumber exam (Building Codes Division, DCBS) is 52 questions in 180 minutes, open book against the OESC (IPC 2023 + Oregon amendments), passed at 75% (39 correct). Oregon does not publish a per-subject content outline — the exam is a code-research test across the full code. See the Oregon Journeyman Plumber Guide for the full licensing path.

Yes. PlumberPractice now covers Utah too. The Utah journeyman plumber exam (DOPL, administered by ProV) is 100 questions in 240 minutes, open book against the IPC 2023, passed at 75% (75 correct) — including state laws and rules (Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55). See the Utah Journeyman Plumber Guide for the full licensing path: 576 classroom hours plus 8,000 field hours (or 16,000 hours experience-only).

Yes. PlumberPractice now covers Washington too. The Washington 01 General Journey Level plumber exam (Department of Labor & Industries, administered by PSI) has two independently scored sections taken the same day: IPC & Theory (60 questions, 180 minutes, 70%) and Washington Codes (17 questions, 60 minutes, 70% — RCW 19.28 + WAC 296-46B). The current bulletin cites the IPC 2020; Washington's field code moves to IPC on December 31, 2026. See the Washington Journeyman Plumber Guide for the full licensing path (registered apprenticeship only since July 1, 2026).