Michigan Plumbing Contractor Exam
Questions and Answers| Latest
1. Under the Michigan Plumbing Code, who is legally defined as a 'master plumber'?
A. Any person who has worked in the plumbing trade for five years
B. A person licensed by the state who plans, superintends, and is responsible for the
installation of plumbing
C. A person who owns a plumbing company
D. An apprentice who has completed trade school
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan's Occupational Code defines a master plumber as a licensed
individual with the qualifications to plan, superintend, and take responsibility for
plumbing installations, not simply years of experience or company ownership.
2. Which state agency administers plumbing licensing examinations in Michigan?
A. Michigan Department of Transportation
B. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
C. Michigan Department of Natural Resources
D. Michigan Department of Treasury
Answer: B
Rationale: LARA, through its Bureau of Construction Codes, oversees plumbing
licensing, examinations, and enforcement of the Michigan Plumbing Code.
3. What is the primary purpose of the Michigan Plumbing Code?
A. To regulate electrical wiring in buildings
B. To safeguard public health and safety by regulating plumbing systems
C. To set pricing standards for plumbing contractors
D. To regulate HVAC ductwork
Answer: B
Rationale: The code's stated intent is protection of public health, safety, and welfare
through proper design, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems.
,4. A 'plumbing contractor' license in Michigan authorizes the holder to do which of the
following?
A. Perform electrical work incidental to plumbing without restriction
B. Contract for and perform plumbing installations and employ licensed
journeymen/apprentices
C. Issue building permits
D. Inspect other contractors' plumbing work on behalf of the state
Answer: B
Rationale: The contractor license authorizes engaging in the business of plumbing
contracting, including entering into contracts and supervising licensed employees; it
does not grant inspection or permit-issuing authority.
5. Which document takes precedence when a local municipality's plumbing ordinance
conflicts with the Michigan Plumbing Code on a life-safety matter?
A. The local ordinance always controls
B. The more restrictive requirement generally controls unless state law preempts
local regulation
C. Neither applies; only the manufacturer's instructions apply
D. The homeowner may choose which to follow
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan generally preempts local plumbing regulation under the
Occupational Code / Skilled Trades Regulation Act; where local authority exists, the
more restrictive life-safety provision typically governs.
6. What does 'DWV' stand for in plumbing terminology?
A. Drain, Water, Valve
B. Drainage, Waste, and Vent
C. Double Wall Ventilation
D. Direct Water Volume
Answer: B
Rationale: DWV refers to the Drainage, Waste, and Vent system that removes
wastewater and admits air to prevent trap siphonage.
,7. A 'fixture unit' is best described as:
A. A unit of measure of the probable discharge rate of a fixture used for sizing DWV
and water piping
B. A fixed price charged per plumbing fixture installed
C. The physical dimension of a fixture in inches
D. A code requirement for the number of fixtures in a bathroom
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixture units (drainage fixture units and water supply fixture units) are
relative load values used to size drain, waste, vent, and water distribution piping.
8. According to Michigan's licensing law, what is the minimum required to sit for the
journeyman plumber examination?
A. Completion of an approved apprenticeship or equivalent documented
experience/training as approved by the board
B. A four-year college degree in any field
C. Ownership of a plumbing business
D. No requirements; anyone may test
Answer: A
Rationale: Candidates must document completion of an approved apprenticeship
program or equivalent combination of training and supervised experience recognized
by the state board before testing.
9. What is the purpose of a permit and inspection process for plumbing work in
Michigan?
A. To generate municipal revenue only
B. To verify code compliance and protect public health and safety
C. To allow contractors to avoid liability
D. To replace the need for licensure
Answer: B
Rationale: Permits and inspections exist to confirm that installed plumbing systems
meet minimum code requirements protecting health and safety, not primarily as a
revenue mechanism.
, 10. Which of the following best defines 'potable water' under the code?
A. Water suitable for irrigation only
B. Water free from impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful
physiological effects, meeting health department standards
C. Any water that is clear in appearance
D. Water that has been softened
Answer: B
Rationale: Potable water is water that meets health-based quality standards for
human consumption, not merely water that appears clean.
11. Which pipe material is generally NOT approved for underground sanitary building
sewers under the Michigan Plumbing Code?
A. PVC (Schedule 40 or SDR 35)
B. Cast iron
C. Unrated/uncertified generic plastic tubing
D. ABS
Answer: C
Rationale: Only pipe and fittings bearing an approved standard designation (e.g.,
ASTM, listed by a recognized testing agency) may be used; uncertified generic tubing
lacks the required listing.
12. When copper water tube is joined by soldering, what must be true of the joint
before soldering?
A. It should be coated in flux only, no cleaning required
B. The tube and fitting surfaces must be cleaned bright and flux applied before
heating
C. It should be soldered while wet
D. No flux is required for copper
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper soldering requires mechanically cleaning the mating surfaces to
bright metal and applying flux to ensure capillary action and a sound, leak-free joint.
Questions and Answers| Latest
1. Under the Michigan Plumbing Code, who is legally defined as a 'master plumber'?
A. Any person who has worked in the plumbing trade for five years
B. A person licensed by the state who plans, superintends, and is responsible for the
installation of plumbing
C. A person who owns a plumbing company
D. An apprentice who has completed trade school
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan's Occupational Code defines a master plumber as a licensed
individual with the qualifications to plan, superintend, and take responsibility for
plumbing installations, not simply years of experience or company ownership.
2. Which state agency administers plumbing licensing examinations in Michigan?
A. Michigan Department of Transportation
B. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
C. Michigan Department of Natural Resources
D. Michigan Department of Treasury
Answer: B
Rationale: LARA, through its Bureau of Construction Codes, oversees plumbing
licensing, examinations, and enforcement of the Michigan Plumbing Code.
3. What is the primary purpose of the Michigan Plumbing Code?
A. To regulate electrical wiring in buildings
B. To safeguard public health and safety by regulating plumbing systems
C. To set pricing standards for plumbing contractors
D. To regulate HVAC ductwork
Answer: B
Rationale: The code's stated intent is protection of public health, safety, and welfare
through proper design, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems.
,4. A 'plumbing contractor' license in Michigan authorizes the holder to do which of the
following?
A. Perform electrical work incidental to plumbing without restriction
B. Contract for and perform plumbing installations and employ licensed
journeymen/apprentices
C. Issue building permits
D. Inspect other contractors' plumbing work on behalf of the state
Answer: B
Rationale: The contractor license authorizes engaging in the business of plumbing
contracting, including entering into contracts and supervising licensed employees; it
does not grant inspection or permit-issuing authority.
5. Which document takes precedence when a local municipality's plumbing ordinance
conflicts with the Michigan Plumbing Code on a life-safety matter?
A. The local ordinance always controls
B. The more restrictive requirement generally controls unless state law preempts
local regulation
C. Neither applies; only the manufacturer's instructions apply
D. The homeowner may choose which to follow
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan generally preempts local plumbing regulation under the
Occupational Code / Skilled Trades Regulation Act; where local authority exists, the
more restrictive life-safety provision typically governs.
6. What does 'DWV' stand for in plumbing terminology?
A. Drain, Water, Valve
B. Drainage, Waste, and Vent
C. Double Wall Ventilation
D. Direct Water Volume
Answer: B
Rationale: DWV refers to the Drainage, Waste, and Vent system that removes
wastewater and admits air to prevent trap siphonage.
,7. A 'fixture unit' is best described as:
A. A unit of measure of the probable discharge rate of a fixture used for sizing DWV
and water piping
B. A fixed price charged per plumbing fixture installed
C. The physical dimension of a fixture in inches
D. A code requirement for the number of fixtures in a bathroom
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixture units (drainage fixture units and water supply fixture units) are
relative load values used to size drain, waste, vent, and water distribution piping.
8. According to Michigan's licensing law, what is the minimum required to sit for the
journeyman plumber examination?
A. Completion of an approved apprenticeship or equivalent documented
experience/training as approved by the board
B. A four-year college degree in any field
C. Ownership of a plumbing business
D. No requirements; anyone may test
Answer: A
Rationale: Candidates must document completion of an approved apprenticeship
program or equivalent combination of training and supervised experience recognized
by the state board before testing.
9. What is the purpose of a permit and inspection process for plumbing work in
Michigan?
A. To generate municipal revenue only
B. To verify code compliance and protect public health and safety
C. To allow contractors to avoid liability
D. To replace the need for licensure
Answer: B
Rationale: Permits and inspections exist to confirm that installed plumbing systems
meet minimum code requirements protecting health and safety, not primarily as a
revenue mechanism.
, 10. Which of the following best defines 'potable water' under the code?
A. Water suitable for irrigation only
B. Water free from impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful
physiological effects, meeting health department standards
C. Any water that is clear in appearance
D. Water that has been softened
Answer: B
Rationale: Potable water is water that meets health-based quality standards for
human consumption, not merely water that appears clean.
11. Which pipe material is generally NOT approved for underground sanitary building
sewers under the Michigan Plumbing Code?
A. PVC (Schedule 40 or SDR 35)
B. Cast iron
C. Unrated/uncertified generic plastic tubing
D. ABS
Answer: C
Rationale: Only pipe and fittings bearing an approved standard designation (e.g.,
ASTM, listed by a recognized testing agency) may be used; uncertified generic tubing
lacks the required listing.
12. When copper water tube is joined by soldering, what must be true of the joint
before soldering?
A. It should be coated in flux only, no cleaning required
B. The tube and fitting surfaces must be cleaned bright and flux applied before
heating
C. It should be soldered while wet
D. No flux is required for copper
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper soldering requires mechanically cleaning the mating surfaces to
bright metal and applying flux to ensure capillary action and a sound, leak-free joint.
