Can you get a plumbing license in New York City if you have a felony on your record?

My brother copped a plea when he was 19 and did a little more than a year in jail. He is now 31. As a result he has a felony on his criminal record. He is now going to plumbing school, and just heard that he can't get his master plumbing license with a felony on his record. Is this true? Is there any way around this? My brother is now a different person than he was at 19.