Plumbing and HVAC rules in North Carolina

Plumbing contractors in North Carolina hold a Plumbing Class I, Class II or restricted limited license from the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.^{1, 2, 3}

North Carolina's State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors licenses heating and cooling contractors as well as plumbers.¹

North Carolina's plumbing code is the 2018 North Carolina Plumbing Code, in effect since January 1, 2019, and a 2024 code has been adopted with its effective date delayed.^{4, 5} The 2018 North Carolina Mechanical Code is also in effect, with the 2024 code's effective date delayed.⁴

North Carolina law requires permits for plumbing and heating or cooling work. Replacing a water heater like for like in a one- or two-family home needs no permit if a licensed plumber does it and certain conditions are met.⁶

If your home has a backflow preventer, your water utility can tell you whether it needs testing and who can test it.