All Exams are held Monday thru Friday at 10 AM Weekends are not available
State of New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Hampshire Department of Education
(NHDOE) Classes
First Year Plumbing Apprentice Bypass Testing Policy & Procedures
In accordance with 153:27, XV the State of NH Mechanical Licensing Board has developed the following First Year Plumbing Bypass Test.
What is the 1st-Year Plumbing Apprentice Bypass Test?
This First Year Bypass Test is an electronic test and is designed to test competency in basic plumbing generally taught in Year 1 classes at the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) classes.
Created by master plumbers and trained plumbing educators, each test is 100 multiple-choice questions randomly selected from 300 questions used in the Year 1 of plumbing instruction in NH. A passing grade of 70% is required to bypass the Year 1 of apprenticeship related instruction.
Why have a Bypass Test?
To accelerate learning for plumbing apprentices with prior learning. This First Year Bypass Test provides Year 1 Plumbing Apprentices that already have the knowledge of the content that is taught in Year 1 Plumbing Apprentice Education an opportunity to test out of the educational requirements and be able to move into Year 2 education.
Eligibility
The First Year Bypass test is for anyone who can demonstrate that they meet or exceed the Year 1 apprentice instruction. The applicant must be at least 16 years of age and eligible for an apprenticeship card at the time of test.
The following examples may be used to determine best candidates for the First Year Bypass Test:
1. Applicant may have worked in a similar occupation and is changing careers;
2. Applicant may have attended the NH DOE Career and Technical Education Program for Plumbing ;
3. Applicant may have taken (preparatory, independent study, classroom, etc.) courses related to plumbing concepts;
4. Applicant has studied plumbing concepts independently;
5. Applicant may have worked as “plumber’s helper” recently;
6. Applicant would like to try to pass prior to enrolling a plumbing apprenticeship;
Applicant has strong math skills and a basic understanding of plumbing concepts.
Passing this First Year By-pass Test will allow an applicant to skip Year one (1) education requirements of the plumbing apprentice program and to go directly into year two (2).
How Does the First Year Bypass Test Effect Apprenticeship Completion and Plumbing License?
Successfully passing this First Year Bypass Test may be accepted by the apprenticeship sponsor as successful completion of the Year 1 of plumbing instruction that is required to receive a USDOL Certificate of Completion and to apply for the NH Plumbing License through the NH Mechanical Board.
In addition to the First Year Bypass Test and three additional years of instruction, all registered apprentices must demonstrate a minimum total of 6,000 hours of on-the-job learning to successfully complete the registered apprenticeship program. Six thousand hours represents onthe-job learning equivalent to 3 years of full-time employment (50 weeks at 40 hours per week each year). Unless otherwise noted in the sponsors apprenticeship agreement.
Not all registered apprenticeship sponsors will accept the First Year Bypass test in lieu of Year 1 plumbing instruction. If the apprentice changes sponsors for any reason, the new sponsor is not required to accept the First Year Bypass Test in lieu of Year 1 instruction. If that is the case, the sponsor may require the apprentice to take Year 1 prior to completion of the apprenticeship regardless of additional instruction that may have already been completed.
If an Apprenticeship Sponsor does not accept the First Year Bypass Test it may leave a gap of up to one year between the completion of instruction and the completion of the on-the-job hours required to complete the registered apprenticeship. Even if the apprentice successfully passes the licensing exam, he/she will not get the NH plumbing license until the 8,000 hour requirement has been completed and the USDOL Certificate of Completion has been issued 1) to the sponsor for signature and 2) to the apprentice. Unless otherwise noted in the sponsors apprenticeship agreement.
Test Acceptance
The First Year Bypass Test is endorsed by the NH Mechanical Board for licensing purposes. The test is designed and available to all NH DOE Adult Education students. The registered apprenticeship sponsor and apprentice will want to consider additional information.
The apprentice’s registered apprenticeship sponsor must authorize acceptance of the test in lieu of the Year 1 of classroom instruction.
The sponsor must also notify the US Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship at 603225-1444 prior to the beginning of the new academic year. Failure to report, may require the apprentice to take Year 1 of instruction even if he/she has completed in part or in full any additional year of instruction.
Not all plumbing training programs will accept the First Year Bypass test in lieu of Year 1 plumbing instruction. Apprentices should contact other plumbing training programs to determine if this test will be accepted in lieu of Year 1 instruction prior to taking the First Year Bypass Test.
If an apprentice wishes to transfer to another plumbing training program requiring Year 1
instruction, the apprentice may be required to participate and successfully pass Year 1 of instruction at the new institution regardless of successfully passing the First Year Bypass Test. This is true even if the apprentice has successfully completed additional or successive years of instruction prior to transfer.
Not all states will accept the First Year Bypass Test in lieu of Year 1 instruction. If it is likely that the apprentice will be working in or transferring to another state prior to earning his NH license, the new state may not accept the First Year Bypass Test in lieu of Year 1 instruction. In this case,
it would be wise to take classroom instruction rather than by-passing Year 1 instruction.
Who created the First Year Bypass Test?
The First Year Bypass Test was developed and approved by the Mechanical Licensing Board, under the guidance of an Apprentice Working Group made up of Mechanical License Board Members (1) Master Plumber (Bill Trombly Jr) and (2) Mechanical Inspectors (Marc Prindiville & Jerry Pandolfi) both of whom teach Year 1 plumbing apprentice classes.
Methodology of the Test Questions:
The test questions were created directly from the Year 1 apprentice plumbing textbooks, curriculum and testing provided by the NH DOE. These questions were vetted through the Apprentice Working Group and selected based on the core competencies and expected knowledge from students who would normally take a Year 1 plumbing apprentice course within a classroom or online environment. There are over 300 hundred different questions ranging from Math, Safety, Fittings, Tools, as well as core fundamental plumbing practices. It was determined that due to the selection process of the questions for core competencies, any combination of the 300 questions randomly selected for the First Year Bypass Test would be a sufficient knowledge base for Year 1 apprentice.
Additional Information:
How to register to test?
Contact
NH Gasfitters Plumbing Exams, : www.nhgasfitters.com to fill out an application
Where can I test?
a. Manchester
b. Hampton
How much does it cost?
$100.00
When do I get my results?
Exam results are available immediately at the testing facility after completion.
How long is the test result good for?
The test result is good for one (1) year from the date it was taken.
How long is the actual Test?
The exam is a closed book three (3) hour one hundred (100) question test
Test Deadline?
The deadline for taking this test is August 15th
More Questions?
Please read through the bulletin completely for answers to your questions. If you still have unanswered questions, you may contact us at the following:
State of NH Mechanical Licensing Board 33 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 223-4289
mechanical.info@dos.nh.gov Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General Testing Information: All Testing Agencies must follow Saf-Mec 308.02 & 308.03 (a)(b) The testing facility is not authorized to make the determination of which examination(s) candidates must take. If a candidate is unsure which exam is needed for the license being sought of if they would qualify for licensing once the testing is complete, they must call the New Hampshire Mechanical Board Office at (603) 223-4289
Cancel/Rescheduling Policy:
If you need to change or cancel your testing appointment, you must contact the testing facility at least three (3) business days prior to your scheduled test date. If you fail to appear for your test or fail to cancel or reschedule your testing session by the close of business three days prior to their scheduled test date, you will forfeit your exam fees.
Check-in Deadline:
The doors to each testing center will open at least 15 minutes before all scheduled testing appointments in order to check candidates into the testing center. You should plan to arrive early to make sure you are seated by the time the testing begins. If you arrive late, AND the testing session has already begun, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY, you will forfeit your exam fees, and will be required to reschedule for a future testing date.
Proof of Identity:
Upon arriving at the testing center, you will be required to show government-issued, photo-bearing identification. The photo-bearing ID must be current and valid. Forms of valid photo-bearing ID are a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. If you cannot produce a valid government-issued photo ID you will be dismissed from the testing center and forfeit all testing fees for the testing session. If you do not have a photo ID, you may still present a valid State driver’s license without a photo, a State ID card without a photo that is issued by the DMV, or a birth certificate.
Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to:
Cell phones or smartphones Audio players/recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Google Glass, or any other personal computing devices Separate timers of any type Cameras or any other photographic equipment Any devices, including digital watches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive, or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content (with the exception of CD players used for Language with Listening Subject Tests only)
We ask that you leave all unauthorized materials in your car or vehicle. If you are caught using unauthorized materials during testing, these materials will be confiscated, your testing will be terminated with fees forfeited, and the New Hampshire Mechanical Board will be notified of your dismissal from the exam and you will not be eligible for re-exam.
You may bring the following approved items into the test center:
Pencils Blank paper
Material Provided:
One calculator will be provided by the testing facility.
Visitor Policy:
No one other than the candidate will be allowed in the testing room. Non-testing visitors are NOT permitted to wait outside the testing room.
Unethical Conduct Policy:
Any individual caught giving or receiving assistance during or after the examination or caught using unauthorized materials during the examination will be reported directly to the Department. Those caught in the act of cheating will be dismissed from the examination and their testing results will be frozen. Furthermore, the candidate will forfeit the examination fees paid. Finally, anyone caught with test questions in their possession, either during or following the examination will be prosecuted by the authority having jurisdiction for theft of copyrighted testing materials.
Results Reporting:
Upon completion of an examination, your 100-question test will be scored, and you will be provided with a score results while at the testing center. All exams will be scored and graded against a cut-score of 70%.
Retesting Policy:
This is a one-time test. Failed examinations cannot be retaken.
Reviews:
Reviews are intended to help candidates audit their testing results by allowing them to see which questions were missed during testing. Candidates may request a review of their exam after failing an exam. To be eligible for a review, candidates must score within 10% of the required passing score. The review for all test is 1-1/2 hours in length. During the review candidates will be provided a printout of the questions they missed, and the answers chosen in response to those questions. The review will be conducted under the same testing conditions as the exam using the same test security rules. The cost of the review is $100.00. Candidates will request or schedule a review using the same methods described earlier for scheduling.
Exam Challenge Process:
If during an exam or review, candidates encounter a question they think is inaccurate or otherwise incorrect, they are encouraged to submit an Exam Comment form to the testing facility detailing why they feel the question is in error. Candidates testing on computer may make their comments in the testing system, while those taking a paper/pencil format exam may submit comments on a comment form that can be obtained from the test proctor at the testing center. Candidates who are reviewing an exam will automatically be provided with an Exam Comments form. The testing facility staff will review each comment within two weeks of receipt by the testing facility and will make scoring adjustments should any comment result in a change to a test question.
All Exams are held Monday thru Friday at 10 AM Weekends are not available