Board of Plumbers

The Board of Plumbers makes every effort to include on this website all relevant information pertaining to the licensing and regulation of Plumbers and Med Gas Endorsees in Montana.

Montana Board of Plumbers

301 South Park Avenue

P.O. Box 200513

Helena, MT  59620-0513

Board meetings are usually held 4 times a year.
Meeting minutes are posted within 3 days of board approval.

In general, Board meetings are open to the public.
There are certain meetings or parts (Screening Panel and Executive Session), which are closed to the public.

Scheduled and Proposed Meetings

Individual Board Members can be contacted by email at dlibsdplu@mt.gov. In your message please specify which board member you would like to contact. 

For additional contact information and information on board member terms, please visit the Governor’s Office link for Board Members and Councils at http://boards.mt.gov/. <

Fiscal Year 2008 –2009 Professional and Occupational Licensing Report

1. The renewal deadline date (expiration date) for all Board of Plumbers licensees is September 1 of each year.
2. Renewal opens 60 days prior to your expiration date.  We encourage you to renew your license early in the renewal cycle.
3. Please note that our online system is available 24/7 during the renewal cycle; however, there is no staff available to assist you after 5:00 p.m.  Waiting until the last hours to renew could mean that there is no one available to assist you, and this may cause your renewal to accrue late fees.

The following outlines general licensing information. For specific information on filing an application, you will need to obtain the license application which includes a detailed listing of the requirements.

Fees: All Fees are Non-Refundable

Experience Requirements:
Four years legally obtained experience as a licensed journeyman with three of the years working either in a supervisory capacity or with a licensed master plumber. Nine years experience verified by notarized statements or letters.

Examination Information:
Successful completion of the master examination in Montana with a grade of 70% or better.

Continuing Education Requirements:
4 hours annually code-related. Course must have prior approval of Board.

The following outlines general licensing information. For specific information on filing an application, you will need to obtain the license application which includes a detailed listing of the requirements.

Fees: All Fees are Non-Refundable

Education Requirements: Completion certificate from a registered apprenticeship program.

Experience Requirements:
Experience verification affidavit of 5 years experience, legally obtained in the field of plumbing. Voucher completed by an active licensed master plumber or plumbing contractor.

Examination Information:
Passing score of 70% or better on written and practical examination.

Continuing Education Requirements:
4 hours annually code-related. Course must have prior approval of Board.

The following outlines general licensing information. For specific information on filing an application, you will need to obtain the license application which includes a detailed listing of the requirements.

Fees: All Fees are Non-Refundable

Education Requirements:

Attached proof of successful completion of training program approved by Board.

Board Approved 3rd Party Testing Agencies

When can I take the exam?

Exams are offered by Gainesville Independent Testing Sevices.

I failed the exam; can I get another temporary license?

The Department may issue a second temporary Journeyman license if you failed the practical examination with a score of 65% - 69%, and you are scheduled for the next examination and paid the applicable fees. All other requests for temporary licenses must be submitted to the Board in writing.

More information about exams.

All of the Statutes and Rule listed here are applicable to this board.

Statutes are laws passed by the Legislature. All changes in statutes must go through the legislative process and be passed into law before they become effective. Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 3 is the Uniform Regulatory Act passed by the Legislature in 1995. All professional and occupational licensing is covered in these statutes.

Administrative Rules pertaining to plumbing licensure are written and adopted by the Board of Plumbers. The Board writes rules in order to administer the laws over which the Legislature has given the Board authority. Rules can be changed by going through the rule-making procedure. They do not go through the Legislative process. The Board of Plumbers continuously reviews rules to determine needed changes.

• Chapter 180 - Board of Plumbers

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• Chapter 24 - Labor and Industry

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• Chapter 101 - Business Standards Division

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• Title 2 Chapter 1 Part 17 - Board of Plumbers

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• Title 37 Chapter 69 - Plumbers

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The mission of the Montana Board of Plumbers... 

In order to meet its mission, the Board is charged with taking appropriate action for unprofessional, incompetent, or unlawful practice. You can learn more about the complaint process or file a complaint with the Board here.

Complaint Form

Complaint Process

Complaint Process FAQ's

Complaints Contact

Rita Reichert, Compliance Specialist
Telephone: (406) 841-2319
E-mail: dlibsdcomplaints@mt.gov

The Department is charged with regulating professions and occupations for the protection of the public as a whole. Although the Department does not represent individuals filing complaints, the Department will review complaints in a timely manner to ensure a complaint is processed and that the Board will take appropriate action.

The length of time for resolution of a complaint is impossible to estimate due to the various complexities presented in individual complaints.

The following types of complaints may be filed:

• Unprofessional conduct by a licensee;
• Unprofessional conduct by a license applicant;
• Unlicensed practice of the profession or occupation.

If an individual is unsure of what constitutes unprofessional conduct and needs a description of the various types, reference to Montana statutes and rules will provide an answer. These are found at your local public library or at the appropriate board site on this web page.

Drop Off or Mail to:
"Name of the Board or Program the complaint pertains to"
Business Standards Division
301 South Park, 4th Floor
PO Box 200514
Helena, MT 59620-0514

This process is used for the Boards that are administered in the Business Standards Division. The various Programs administered in the Division use a similar process.

Important: When filing or responding to a complaint, be as thorough as possible. You may attach additional documents to the complaint form to ensure that all pertinent information has been included. The Screening Panel meeting is NOT a hearing, but is a time for the panel to consider the complaint and response. Attendance is your choice. If you attend the panel may ask additional questions. Please notify this office prior to the meeting if you plan to attend.

After a complaint has been filed against a licensed individual the Compliance Office will send a letter of acknowledgment to the person who filed the complaint (Complainant), and a letter requesting a response (with a copy of the complaint) to the licensee against whom the complaint was filed.

The Licensee may submit a written response addressing the complaint to the Compliance Office. The process continues whether or not a response is submitted. The Complainant is not entitled to a copy of the response.

The Compliance Office will notify the Licensee and Complainant regarding the date and time of any meeting during which the case will be discussed.

Complaints remain confidential unless a Notice of Proposed Board Action is issued, which is a public document along with all subsequent legal filings.

Meetings

• Closed Meeting - During a Closed Meeting only the Licensee, the Complainant, and/or attorneys for either can be in attendance. Minutes of Closed Meetings are not public documents.
• Open Meeting - A public meeting which anyone can attend. The minutes of Open meetings are public documents and made available online via the specific Board’s webpage. (Adjudication Panel meetings are usually open.)

Individuals may attend a meeting in person or by telephone. Please notify this office prior to the meeting if you plan to attend the meeting.

Screening Panel

• Screening Panel - A committee comprised of members of the Board. The Screening Panel’s function is to determine the preliminary action(s) to take on a complaint. Possible preliminary actions include dismissal, investigation, or a finding of Reasonable Cause.

The complaint and response (if any) are submitted to the Screening Panel members. The Screening Panel meeting is not a hearing, but rather a committee meeting to review and discuss the complaint and response to determine if disciplinary action is warranted.

Dismissal

If the Screening Panel dismisses a complaint, the complaint can be dismissed with or without prejudice (see definitions below).

• Dismissal With Prejudice - The complaint is dismissed and cannot be considered by the Screening Panel in the future.
• Dismissal Without Prejudice - The complaint is dismissed but may be considered by the Screening Panel in the future if there are ever allegations of a similar nature.

Investigation

Only a member of the Screening Panel can request an investigation of a complaint. If an investigation is requested by the Screening Panel, the case is assigned to an investigator who may request an interview with the Licensee, the Complainant, and/or other individuals. Upon completion of the investigation, a written report is submitted to the Screening Panel, which will then determine if there is Reasonable Cause to proceed with disciplinary action.

Reasonable Cause

• Reasonable Cause - A finding by the Screening Panel that evidence exists that a violation of statutes and rules has occurred which warrants proceeding with disciplinary action.

If Reasonable Cause is found, the Department Counsel issues a Notice of Proposed Board Action (Notice) to the Licensee. Once a Notice is issued, it is public information. A proposed Stipulation may be included with the Notice.

• Notice - A legal document from the Department’s Legal Counsel which sets forth the Department’s factual assertions, the statutes or rules relied upon, and advising the licensee of the right to a hearing.
• Stipulation - A tentative agreement for settlement of the case. A Stipulation is not finalized until approved by the Adjudication Panel.

The Licensee may either sign the Stipulation or contest the proposed action by requesting an administrative Hearing (a legal process before a Hearing Examiner). If the Licensee wishes to request a hearing, written request must be received within twenty (20) days from receipt of the Notice. Failure to either sign a Stipulation or request a hearing within twenty (20) days may result in the issuing of a Final Order of Default against the licensee.

• Default - the licensee’s acceptance of the disciplinary action demonstrated by failing to participate in the process

Adjudication Panel

• Adjudication Panel - A committee comprised of members of the Board who are NOT on the Screening Panel. The Adjudication Panel determines the final outcome of a case.

The Adjudication Panel reviews the record to determine appropriate sanctions. A Final Order is issued by the Adjudication Panel, completing the complaint process.

Complaint Process Flow

Current license status and information regarding disciplinary action(s) against a licensee can be accessed online at: https://ebiz.mt.gov/pol/

Department of Labor & Industry - Business Standards Division

PO Box 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513

When a complaint or other information is received alleging possible unlicensed practice...

• (If the allegation is not made in the form of a formal written complaint, a complaint form is completed by the Department and a complaint number is assigned.)
• A copy of the complaint and a request for a written response are mailed to the person against whom the complaint was filed (Respondent).
• A written acknowledgment that the complaint has been received is mailed to the person who filed the complaint (Complainant)
• The respondent may submit a letter of response to the complaint. If a written response is not submitted, the complaint process continues without a response.
• The complainant and the respondent are sent written notify cation of the date, time, and location of any meeting at which the complaint will be discussed.

The Board Meeting

• Unlicensed Practice complaints are addressed by the Full Board in executive session (meaning closed to the public). Board meetings are open to the public unless the chairperson determines an individual’s right to privacy outweighs the public’s right to know. If so, that portion of the meeting will be closed to the public (only the respondent, complainant, and legal counsel for each (if any) may be present).
• The complaint and response (if any) are provided to the board members prior to an upcoming board meeting for their review. The board meeting is not a hearing, but rather a meeting at which the information provided is considered and discussed by the board.

DISMISSAL

• If the board dismisses a complaint, the complaint can be dismissed with or without prejudice.
• Dismissal With Prejudice-The complaint is dismissed and cannot be considered in the future.
• Dismissal Without Prejudice-The complaint is dismissed but may be considered by the board in the future if there are ever allegations of a similar nature.

INVESTIGATION

• The board can request an investigator be assigned to gather additional information surrounding the allegations made in the complaint. This may involve interviews with the respondent, the complainant, and possible witnesses.
• After the investigation has been completed, an investigative report is prepared and presented to the board for consideration at a subsequent meeting.
• Following the board’s review of the investigative report, a determination is made to either dismiss the complaint or take action in the form of a Cease and Desist or an Injunction.

CEASE & DESIST / INJUNCTION

• The board may issue a Cease & Desist or seek an Injunction.
• Cease & Desist–A letter from the administrative agency prohibiting a person or business from doing or continuing to do a certain activity.
• Injunction-A writ granted by a court prohibiting a person or business from doing or continuing to do a certain activity.

For more information, contact DLI Business Standards Division at 406-841-2300

There are TWO types of Licensure Verification Requests:

1) Licensees for any profession can be verified by using LicenseLookup.mt.gov.
This website provides real-time connectivity to the Business Standards Licensing Database.  There is no charge for this service.

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2) To request an official license verification be sent to another state licensing board, jurisdiction or individual for license confirmation status in the State of Montana. The fee for this is $20.00 per verification requested.

A response should occur within 3 days of receipt.

Licensed Journeyman and Master Plumbers:

Journeyman and Master plumbers are required to accumulate 4 hours of Board approved continuing education annually. As a licensed professional you may view available upcoming courses as well as check your individual credits taken. In addition to the providers listed on the approved continuing education page, the board has approved CODE RELATED courses taught by IAPMO and our reciprocal states (Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oregon).

Continuing Education Provider:

Once approved by the Board you will have the opportunity to schedule course events and, after the event has been completed, enter the roster of attendees.
Please email the Board office or call 406-444-5696 for specific questions regarding continuing education.

CE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTERING ROSTERS   

CHECK YOUR CE CREDITS