Maryland Journeyman Plumber / Gas Fitter

Maryland Journeyman Plumber and Gas Fitter Exam: Complete 2026 Prep Guide

You've put in the hours — four years of apprenticeship, thousands of hours under a licensed master plumber, and now it's time to make it official. The Maryland Journeyman Plumber and Gas Fitter exam is the last major step between you and your journeyman license. Pass this 100-question PSI exam and you'll have the credential that lets you work on plumbing and gas systems across the state with far greater independence. This guide covers everything you need to know: exam structure, the topics that matter most, sample questions, and the study materials that give you the best shot at hitting that 70% passing score on the first try.

Exam Overview: What to Expect on Test Day

The Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter exam is administered by PSI and consists of 100 scored questions. You have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete it. Note that a small number of experimental (unscored) items may also appear — these don't count against your score and no additional time is officially allotted for them.

The minimum passing score is 70%, meaning you need to answer at least 70 of the 100 scored questions correctly.

This is an open-book exam — but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. The clock moves, and flipping through an unmarked code book under pressure is a skill you have to practice. Books must be clean: no writing, no sticky notes, no loose papers tucked inside.

Allowable references you may bring:
- International Plumbing Code (2018)
- International Fuel Gas Code (2018)
- Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters by Lee Smith (8th Edition)
- Any standard backflow text
- OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926

No handheld calculators or electronic devices of any kind are permitted. You'll be given scratch paper and a pencil.

Topics Covered on the Maryland Journeyman Plumber Exam

The exam is weighted heavily toward gas work and drainage systems. Here's the full breakdown:

Gas Appliances and Piping accounts for 40 out of 100 questions — that's 40% of your entire exam. If you're going to prioritize, start there. Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems and Backflow Prevention are the next two biggest sections. Together, those three topics cover 63 questions.

Sample PSI Exam Questions

Here are five sample questions in the same style as the real PSI exam. Try to answer each one — then check your reasoning against our free practice exam to see how you do.

Question 1 — Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems
When an indirect waste pipe terminates at a waste receptor, the air gap between the indirect waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptor must be not less than what distance?
- A) One times the effective opening of the indirect waste pipe
- B) Six inches regardless of pipe size
- C) Twice the effective opening of the indirect waste pipe
- D) Three times the effective opening of the indirect waste pipe

Question 2 — Materials, Uses, and Specifications
You are a journeyman gas fitter preparing to join copper tubing for a gas piping system using press-connect fittings. Which standard must those press-connect fittings be listed in accordance with?
- A) ANSI Z21.80/CSA 6.22
- B) ANSI LC-4/CSA 6.32
- C) ASME B16.20
- D) ANSI Z21.15/CGA 9.1

Question 3 — Gas Appliances and Piping
You are a journeyman plumber called to install a new Category IV condensing furnace in a residence. The vent will terminate through an exterior wall and discharge flue gases perpendicular to the adjacent neighbor's building, which has operable windows. What is the minimum horizontal distance the vent terminal must be from those operable openings?
- A) 3 feet
- B) 4 feet
- C) 10 feet
- D) 12 feet

Question 4 — Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems
You are a journeyman plumber installing an indirect waste line from a commercial dishwashing machine in a restaurant. How must this discharge connect to the drainage system?
- A) Through an indirect waste pipe by means of an air gap or air break into a waste receptor
- B) Directly to a floor drain without any air break
- C) Through a grease interceptor with no air gap required
- D) Directly connected to the sanitary drain with a P-trap

Question 5 — Gas Appliances and Piping
You are a journeyman plumber who made minor repairs to an existing gas piping system after the initial pressure test. The code allows these minor repairs to skip a full pressure test under what condition?
- A) A licensed master plumber signs off on the repair
- B) The repairs are made with the same pipe material as the original system
- C) The gas supplier provides written authorization to skip the retest
- D) The work is inspected and connections are tested with a noncorrosive leak-detecting fluid or other approved leak-detecting methods

Not sure which answers are correct? That's exactly what our practice exam is for. Start with the free practice exam and see where you stand.

What Types of Questions to Expect (By Topic)

Our full practice question bank covers 716 questions across all nine exam topics. Here's what each section actually tests:

• Gas Appliances and Piping (196 practice questions): The largest section by far — expect questions on gas pipe sizing tables, IFGC material and fitting requirements, pressure testing and leak detection procedures, combustion air calculations, and vent system types and termination rules.
• Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems (121 practice questions): Drainage fixture unit values, horizontal branch and building drain sizing, slope requirements, cleanout placement rules, and vent pipe sizing and developed length.
• Plumbing Mathematics (112 practice questions): Offset and diagonal calculations using angle constants, fitting allowances for different pipe types, rolling offset formulas, and grade/drop calculations for drainage pipe.
• Water Supply Systems (87 practice questions): Pipe material selection for water service and distribution, joining methods by material, pressure requirements, PRV applications, and fixture supply sizing.
• Backflow Prevention (47 practice questions): Cross-connection hazard classification, device types tied to specific ASSE standards, air gap dimensions, reduced pressure assembly installation, and vacuum breaker height requirements.
• Traps, Interceptors, and Backwater Valves (46 practice questions): Prohibited trap types, trap seal requirements, grease interceptor sizing and retention capacity, and oil separator design rules.
• Plumbing Fundamentals and Safety (63 practice questions): IPC code scope, permit requirements, code official authority, key definitions, and OSHA 1926 Subpart C safety program responsibilities.
• Materials, Uses, and Specifications (24 practice questions): Approved and prohibited materials for gas piping, fitting types and joint standards, pipe identification markings, and corrosion protection requirements.
• Plumbing Fixtures, Fittings, and Appliances (20 practice questions): Minimum fixture counts by occupancy, clearance and spacing rules, flushing device requirements, and shower compartment specifications.

Required Study Materials

Because this is an open-book exam, these aren't just study references — they're the actual books you bring into the testing room. Own them, know how they're organized, and practice finding answers quickly.

Required Code Books:
- IPC 2018 — International Plumbing Code: The primary plumbing code reference for the exam. Know your way around the drainage, venting, and fixture chapters cold.
- IFGC 2018 — International Fuel Gas Code: Covers everything related to gas piping and appliances. With 40 exam questions in this area, this book is your most important reference.
- Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters (8th Edition): The go-to for offset calculations, fitting allowances, and pipe math. Seven exam questions are directly drawn from this content.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926: Covers construction industry safety standards. Familiarize yourself with Subpart C on employer accident prevention responsibilities.

Recommended Study Tools:
- Sharpie Tank Highlighters: Fluorescent ink that stands out and resists smearing — exactly what you want when you're marking key tables and sections in your code books for quick reference. Available in 12 assorted colors including yellow, green, pink, orange, lavender, and blue.
- Redi-Tag Permanent Colored Tabs: 100 tabs in five colors to color-code your code books by topic. Permanent adhesive means they won't fall out in the test room. Find your chapter fast instead of burning time flipping pages.

Important: Books must be clean — no writing inside, no loose papers, no attached notes. Use tabs and highlighting to organize your references, but do not write definitions or answers in the margins.

Study Tips for the Maryland Journeyman Plumber Exam

Start with gas piping — every time. Forty percent of your exam is Gas Appliances and Piping. If you're short on time, this is where every extra study hour pays off most.

Use the full 4 hours. You're given plenty of time, so use as much of it as you need. Don't get rattled when other people finish early — finishing first isn't a prize. Work at your own steady pace and review your answers before you submit.

Skim the answer choices before you commit. You're hunting for the key term or vocabulary word that signals the right concept. The more you've practiced, the faster the right wording jumps out at you.

Practice in exam format. Our full practice exam mirrors the real PSI exam — the same number of questions, drawn from the same topics. Practicing in that format now means no surprises on test day. Start with the free version to get a feel for the question style, then use the full paid exam for serious prep and topic-by-topic score breakdowns.

Tab your code books before you go. Organize your IPC and IFGC by major chapter so you can flip straight to sizing tables without hunting. Practice using them under a time constraint.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter exam cost?
The examination fee is $65. This fee is valid for one examination only and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Your registration is valid for one year from the date of approval.

How many questions are on the exam and how long do I have?
The exam has 100 scored questions and you have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete it. A small number of experimental items may also appear but will not be scored or count against you.

What is the passing score?
You need a minimum score of 70% — that means at least 70 correct answers out of 100 scored questions.

What are the eligibility requirements?
For Maryland residents or those with Maryland work experience, you must certify four years as a licensed Apprentice Plumber totaling at least 7,500 hours of training under a licensed Maryland Master Plumber. Up to 1,500 of those hours can come from accredited school study. You must also submit proof of a non-expired, approved 32-hour Backflow Prevention Device Testing course.

How do I register for the exam?
PSI approval is required before you can schedule. Apply through the exam registration page, upload your documentation, and wait up to one week for approval. Once approved, you'll receive an email with instructions to pay and schedule online or by calling PSI at (855) 746-8173. You can also review the official exam bulletin for full details, or visit the state licensing website for licensing requirements.

Is the exam open book? What can I bring?
Yes — open book. Allowable references are the IPC (2018), IFGC (2018), Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters (8th Ed.), any standard backflow text, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926. Study guides are not allowed. Books must be unmarked — no writing, no loose papers, no attached notes.

What ID do I need?
Bring one valid, non-expired, signature-bearing photo ID. Accepted forms include a state-issued driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, alien registration card, or Canadian government-issued ID. The name must match your registration exactly.

Can I bring a calculator?
No. Handheld calculators and all electronic devices are prohibited. Scratch paper and a pencil will be provided at the test site.

What happens if I fail?
You'll receive a failure score report with instructions on how to apply for another exam. You'll also get 30 minutes at the end of the exam session to review the questions you missed, at no charge — take advantage of that time to understand where you went wrong.

Ready to Start Preparing?

You've got the experience. Now make sure the prep matches it. Begin with our free practice exam — 10 questions, no account needed, and a real feel for what PSI exam questions look like. When you're ready to go deeper, the full practice exam gives you 100 questions per attempt, a detailed score breakdown by topic, and a large enough question pool that every attempt feels fresh. You've already put in 7,500 hours to get here. A few focused weeks of prep is what gets you across the finish line.