Idaho Plumbing Specialty Water Pump Journeyman Exam

Idaho Plumbing Specialty Water Pump Journeyman Exam: 2026 Study Guide

You've done the hands-on work. Now you need the license to prove it. The Idaho water pump journeyman exam is a 50-question, open-book test covering the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code — and passing it lets you legally install and connect water service piping from a pump to a storage or expansion pressure tank in one-family and two-family residences. That's a clear, defined scope of work, and this exam tests whether you know the code behind it. This guide covers exactly what's on the exam, how it's structured, what to bring, and how to study smart.

Start by getting a feel for the question style — take our free practice exam before you crack a single book.

Idaho Water Pump Journeyman Exam Overview

The Idaho plumbing specialty water pump license test is administered by PSI on behalf of the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Here's the basic breakdown:

• Questions: 50 scored questions
• Time limit: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
• Passing score: 75% — that means 38 correct answers out of 50
• Format: Multiple-choice, open book
• Where: PSI exam centers

Your score appears on screen the moment you finish. No waiting around for results.

The exam is open book, which sounds like a lifeline — and it is, if you've prepared. Candidates who walk in unprepared and try to look up every answer run out of time fast. Knowing where to find answers quickly matters as much as knowing the answers themselves.

For full exam policies and scheduling, check the official exam bulletin and the state licensing website.

What's on the Idaho Water Pump Journeyman Exam

All questions come from the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code. The exam draws from four chapters. Here's where your time should go, ranked by how many questions each chapter produces on the real exam:

Chapter 3 — General Regulations (21 questions)

This is the heaviest chapter on the exam. Topics include pipe and fitting standards, labeling and listing requirements, alternate materials approval, pipe protection from corrosion and freezing, hanger spacing (Tables 313.3 and 313.6), and prohibited fittings. Over 40% of the exam lives here.

Chapter 6 — Water Supply and Distribution (12 questions)

Backflow prevention devices, cross-connection control, pipe materials and lead content limits, joining methods by material type, and water system sizing using fixture units and Tables 610.3 and 610.4. Strong territory for water pump work.

Chapter 1 — Administration (11 questions)

Scope, permit requirements, AHJ authority, construction document submission, permit validity and revocation. Dry material, but 11 questions is 11 questions — don't skip it.

Chapter 2 — Definitions (6 questions)

Terminology for potable water supply, backflow and cross-connections, drainage systems, venting systems, traps, and fixtures. Six questions on definitions — know your terms cold.

Sample Idaho Plumbing Specialty Water Pump Exam Questions

Here are a few examples of the kind of questions you'll face. Answers are not shown — work through them yourself, then take our free practice exam to check your thinking.

Question 1 (Chapter 3 — Pipe Support)
You are a journeyman plumber installing 1-inch copper water piping horizontally in a commercial building. What is the maximum support interval for this piping?
- A) 4 feet
- B) 6 feet
- C) 10 feet
- D) 12 feet

Question 2 (Chapter 3 — Prohibited Fittings)
Which of the following fittings is permitted for use as a drainage fitting on a vertical line as a fixture connection?
- A) Running thread fitting
- B) Side inlet quarter bend
- C) Single tapped tee branch
- D) Double hub sanitary tapped tee

Question 3 (Chapter 2 — Definitions)
According to the 2017 ISPC, the mobile home park sewer begins ______ feet downstream from the last mobile home site and conveys waste to a public sewer or other point of disposal.
- A) 2
- B) 3
- C) 5
- D) 10

Question 4 (Chapter 2 — Definitions)
Under the 2017 ISPC definitions, a low-heat appliance produces a continuous flue gas temperature at the point of entrance to the flue of not more than ______°F.
- A) 1000
- B) 500
- C) 1400
- D) 800

Question 5 (Chapter 1 — Administration)
Under the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code, the Board of Appeals is empowered to waive requirements of the code when circumstances warrant.
- True
- False

Don't guess — find out where you actually stand before test day.

What Types of Questions to Expect

Our practice bank covers all four exam chapters. Here's what each section tests, along with how many practice questions we have available:

Chapter 1 — Administration (49 practice questions): Expect questions about permit requirements, what work is exempt, AHJ duties and powers, construction document rules, and permit expiration or revocation. You'll need to know the difference between what the code requires and what the AHJ can or cannot do.

Chapter 2 — Definitions (52 practice questions): These questions test whether you know technical terms cold — the difference between a vent stack and a stack vent, between backsiphonage and backpressure backflow, between a trap arm and a tailpiece. Definitions questions tend to be short, but they're easy to get wrong if the terms blur together.

Chapter 3 — General Regulations (97 practice questions): The biggest section, matching the exam's heaviest chapter. Questions here cover hanger spacing by pipe material, what fittings are prohibited in drainage lines, how to handle pipe protection from corrosion and UV, and when alternate materials need AHJ approval. Expect table-lookup questions and scenario-based installs.

Chapter 6 — Water Supply and Distribution (86 practice questions): These questions get specific — backflow preventer types and their hazard ratings, pipe material standards and lead content limits, joining method rules for PEX vs. copper vs. CPVC, and system sizing using fixture unit tables. Water pump journeymen need to know this chapter well; it maps directly to the work you're licensed to do.

Total practice questions available: 284

Study Materials

The exam is open book. Only two references are permitted at the PSI test center:

• The 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code (ISBN-13: 9781938936647), or
• The 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (ISBN-13: 9781938936951)

You're responsible for bringing your own copy. Most candidates use the 2017 ISPC since it's the code the exam is written against. Get your copy early — you need time to learn it before you can use it efficiently under exam conditions.

Organize your reference before test day. A tabbed and highlighted book is your best tool. Two products that hold up in a code book:

• Sharpie Tank Highlighters — wide barrel, large ink supply, chisel tip good for highlighting and margin notes. Includes 12 in assorted colors so you can color-code by chapter. Ink resists smearing once dry.
• Redi-Tag Permanent Colored Tabs — 100 laser tabs in 5 colors, strong permanent adhesive. Tab each chapter, major table, and key section so you can flip to it in seconds during the exam.

Tabs and highlights in a code book aren't just allowed — they're the difference between finding an answer in 30 seconds and burning three minutes.

Study Tips for the Idaho DOPL Water Pump Journeyman PSI Exam

Focus your hours where the exam does. Chapter 3 is 42% of the exam. If you have limited study time, start there. Chapter 6 is next. Chapters 1 and 2 matter, but don't let them crowd out the big chapters.

Work the exam front to back, then circle back. Answer every question you're confident on first. Flag the ones you need to look up or think through. Then return to the flagged questions. You can bookmark questions for review — our practice exams work the same way. Don't let one hard question eat 10 minutes while easy points sit unanswered.

Ignore the letter sequence. There's no pattern in the answer key. If you've answered A four times in a row, the fifth answer can still be A. Judge every question on its own merits.

Manage nerves the right way. Some anxiety before a test is normal — don't try to eliminate it. If you feel yourself spiraling on a question, stop, take a few slow breaths, and reset. If your test center offers a short break, take it — just know the clock keeps running.

Know your tables before test day. Table 313.3, Table 313.6, Table 610.3, and Table 610.4 will show up. Tab them in your code book. Run through enough practice questions that you know which table answers which type of problem without hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Idaho Plumbing Specialty Water Pump Journeyman exam cost?
The exam fee is $75.00. Fees are not refundable or transferable, and your payment is valid for one year from the date you pay. If you don't schedule and sit for the exam within that year, you'll pay again.

How many questions are on the exam and how long do I have?
50 questions, 150 minutes. That's 3 minutes per question on average — enough time if you don't get stuck.

What is the passing score?
75%, which is 38 correct out of 50. PSI reports your score on screen as soon as you finish.

What topics are covered?
All questions come from the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code — Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Is the exam open book?
Yes. You may bring either the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code or the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code. You're responsible for bringing your own copy to the test center.

Can I write in my book during the exam?
No. Pre-exam highlighting, underlining, and permanent indexing are allowed. But no writing during the session. Post-its and other temporary markers are prohibited and will be confiscated.

How do I register?
Register online through the exam registration page, available 24 hours a day, or call PSI at 855-340-3713 during business hours.

What ID do I need?
One government-issued photo ID with your name, signature, and photograph — driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or Alien Registration Card. Temporary IDs are not accepted unless you bring the original expired ID with them.

What if I fail? Can I retake it?
Yes. You can retake the exam as many times as needed. Each attempt requires a new $75.00 exam fee.

What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel and reschedule without losing your fee if PSI receives your cancellation at least 2 days before your scheduled exam date. Cancel by calling PSI or through the PSI website — voicemail and email are not accepted forms of cancellation.

Start Preparing Now

The Idaho water pump installer practice exam we've built covers all four code chapters — 284 practice questions total — mapped to the same topics PSI tests. Start with the free practice exam to see where you stand. Ten questions, no account required. If you want full prep — same question count, same time limit, detailed score breakdown by topic — upgrade to the full exam.

Get your 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code, tab it with Redi-Tag tabs, highlight the key sections with Sharpie Tank Highlighters, and put in the reps before test day. You know this work. Now show it on paper.