Surety Bond Encyclopedia

Plumbing License ($5,000) Bond - City of Niagara Falls, NY in New York

Brief Summary

The $5,000 bond is the easy part of a Niagara Falls master plumber license. The hard part is the Board exam and the ten years of trade experience the city requires first. Line the bond up once you have your certificate of competency so registration is not held up, and keep it current because the license expires every December 31.

The City of Niagara Falls, New York licenses master plumbers under Chapter 1111 of its Codified Ordinances, Section 1111.10. Applicants need ten years in the plumbing trade, five of them as a journeyman, and must pass a three part Board examination with at least 75 points. This $5,000 license bond names the City of Niagara Falls as obligee. Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with the city's Code Enforcement Department before the bond is issued.

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How to Apply for a Plumbing License ($5,000) Bond:

Document ten years of plumbing trade experience, five of them as a journeyman plumber.
Arrange character certifications from two Niagara Falls residents and a registered Niagara Falls master plumber.
File the examination application with the Chairman of the Board at least 60 days before the exam, with the $70 fee payable to the City Controller.
Pass all three parts of the examination with at least 75 points.
Obtain the $5,000 bond naming the City of Niagara Falls as obligee, on the form the city requires.
Pay the registration fee and renew in the 30 days before each December 31 expiration.

Detailed Information About the New York Plumbing License ($5,000) Bond:

The license comes before the bond

Niagara Falls does not license a plumber on paperwork alone. Section 1111.10 of the city's Codified Ordinances requires at least ten years of experience in the plumbing trade, five of which must be as a journeyman plumber. Two reputable citizens of Niagara Falls and a registered master plumber licensed in the city must certify the applicant's good moral character.

The application for examination goes to the Chairman of the Board with a $70 nonrefundable fee, by check payable to the City Controller. It must be filed at least 60 days before the examination. The Board reviews it and decides within 30 days whether the applicant may sit for the exam.

The examination

The exam has three parts: plumbing code and practical plumbing, plumbing installation drawings, and plumbing layout and aptitude. A score of at least 75 points earns a certificate of competency. An applicant who falls short can request re-examination by registered mail without filing a new application. A registration fee is due once the certificate is issued.

The $5,000 bond

The bond is a written promise from the master plumber and a surety company to the City of Niagara Falls. It backs the plumber's obligation to do licensed work in line with the city's plumbing rules and the terms of the license and permits. If the city makes a valid claim and the surety pays it, the plumber must repay the surety. Ask the Code Enforcement Department for its current bond form before the bond is issued so the wording matches what the city files.

Expiration and renewal

Master plumber licenses expire on December 31. A license may be renewed within the 30 days before that date, and a lapsed license requires a reinstatement fee. Keep the bond in force for as long as you hold the license.

Eligibility and Requirements for a New York Plumbing License ($5,000) Bond:

Bond amount of $5,000.
City of Niagara Falls, New York named as obligee.
Principal name matching the name on the master plumber application.
A surety and bond form acceptable to the City of Niagara Falls.
Bond kept in force for the full license period.

New York Plumbing License ($5,000) Bond FAQs:

Can I get the bond before I pass the exam?

You can, but the bond does not substitute for the certificate of competency. The city licenses master plumbers only after they meet the experience rule and pass the Board examination with at least 75 points.

What experience does Niagara Falls require?

At least ten years in the plumbing trade, five of which must be as a journeyman plumber, under Section 1111.10 of the city's Codified Ordinances.

When does the license expire?

The license expires on December 31 each year. You may renew within the 30 days before that date. A lapsed license carries a reinstatement fee.

What does it cost to apply?

The examination application fee is $70, nonrefundable, by check payable to the City Controller. A separate registration fee is due after you receive your certificate. The bond premium is set by the surety after it reviews your application.

Who do I ask about the bond form?

The City of Niagara Falls Code Enforcement Department, which handles plumbing licenses and permits. Confirm the current form and filing steps there before the bond is issued.