STATE LICENSE
NoneSee what applies
Plumbing licensing in Nebraska is set up by state statute but run by cities. Every city of the metropolitan class (Omaha) must have an eight-member plumbing board. Primary-class cities (Lincoln), first- and second-class cities, and villages may create one (§ 18-1901). Wherever a board exists, it is unlawful to do plumbing without that city's license (§ 18-1910). Licenses are issued after a practical and theoretical exam, last one or two years, and cost no more than $25 under state law (§§ 18-1907, 18-1909, 18-1911).
Outside city limits, §§ 18-1915 to 18-1919 put sanitary plumbing in every building except single-family dwellings and farm or ranch structures under the nearest city or village. That city issues the permit and inspects, and the work must be done by a master plumber with journeyman employees licensed by that city or village. Where that city has no plumbing ordinance, the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code applies.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Plumbing is the clearest example of Nebraska delegating licensing to cities. The plumbing board sets exam rules, issues and renews licenses, and adopts plumbing rules for its city (§§ 18-1904, 18-1906). Its inspector stops nonconforming work (§§ 18-1912, 18-1913).
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Nebraska county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
A plumbing license is valid in the city or village that issued it (and, for Omaha, its extraterritorial zoning area). Working in another board city means that city's license.
For non-single-family buildings outside city limits, the nearest city or village issues the permit, inspects, and licenses the plumbers (§§ 18-1915–18-1917).
State law caps original and renewal license fees in plumbing-board cities at $25 per license (§ 18-1911).
A practical sequence for a new plumbing contractor in Nebraska. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Violating the plumbing-board statutes or a lawful ordinance or board rule is a misdemeanor; a licensed plumber also forfeits the license and cannot get another for one year.
Installing or repairing sanitary plumbing outside city limits in a building other than a single-family dwelling without the required permit from the city or village.
The Commissioner of Labor cites a contractor who performs construction work without registering, or whose registration information is not substantially complete and accurate; the contractor has 15 working days to contest.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Which cities besides Omaha currently operate plumbing boards, and their exam, fee, and continuing-education rules (Lincoln and Omaha licensing pages blocked automated retrieval) · Whether any city charges a plumbing license fee above the $25 cap in § 18-1911 under home-rule charter authority · The Contractor Registration fee charged before August 1, 2026 — NDOL says only that the annual fee 'increases to $40.00' on that date, and LB847 (2026) amended § 48-2107, whose current text caps the fee at $40
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.