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Plumber
Plumbing licensing varies dramatically by state — some require state-level licenses with thousands of apprenticeship hours, while others defer entirely to local jurisdictions. Most states recognize the Journeyman and Master plumber progression, with exams based on either the International Plumbing Code (IPC) or Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
51
Total States
45
State Licensed
38
Master License
5
Local Only
Not sure which license is right for you?
Take the 2-Minute Career Quiz →Plumber licensing in the US follows a structured apprentice to journeyman to master progression, though specifics vary significantly by state.
Most states require 4-5 years (8,000-10,000 hours) of supervised on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. Many states require registration with a state-approved or DOL-registered apprenticeship program before hours can count toward licensure.
After completing apprenticeship, plumbers must pass a journeyman exam based on the IPC (International Plumbing Code) or UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code). Master plumber exams typically require additional years of journeyman experience and cover more advanced topics.
Some states like Texas and California have state-level plumber licensing, while others like Pennsylvania and Missouri defer to local municipalities. This means requirements can vary even within a single state, so always check your local jurisdiction.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | State Licensed? | Apprentice Hours | Master Available | Fees | CE Hours | Code | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | 4,000 | Yes | $270 | 4 | 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — effective January 1, 2023 | April 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | 8,000 | No | $250 | 0 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | April 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | 8,000 | No | $270+ | 0 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | April 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $150 | 0 | Arkansas Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code (state-specific code) | April 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $650 | 0 | California Plumbing Code (CPC) / Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | April 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | 6,800 | Yes | $245 | 8 | 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Colorado amendments (Colorado Plumbing Code) | April 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | 8 | Yes | $250 | — | State Plumbing Code (SPC) | April 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $215 | — | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | 8 | Yes | $305 | 16 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | 8,000 | No | $388 | 14 | 2017 Florida Building Code — Plumbing, Sixth Edition (Florida-specific code) | April 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $250 | 8 | Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code | April 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | 10,000 | Yes | $436 | — | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | April 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Yes | 8,000 | No | $272 | 8 | Idaho State Plumbing Code (based on IAPMO/UPC — links to epubs.iapmo.org/2017/Idaho/) | April 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | 10,000 | No | $275 | 4 | Illinois Plumbing Code (state-specific) | April 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | 576 | No | $120 | 0 | Indiana Plumbing Code (state-specific) | April 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $359 | 8 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Iowa amendments (481 IAC Chapter 425) | April 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | — | No | — | — | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $110 | 6 | Kentucky State Plumbing Code (state-specific) | April 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $135+ | 3.5 | Louisiana State Plumbing Code (state-specific) | April 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $286-$296 | — | Maine Internal Plumbing Code (state-specific, based on UPC/IAPMO) | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $127 | No continuing education required | Maryland State Plumbing Code (with IPC/IFGC versions available for certain jurisdictions) | April 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | 9,000 | Yes | $83 | 12 | Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR) | April 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $140 | — | Michigan Plumbing Code (state-specific) | April 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $88 | 8 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2021 with Minnesota amendments | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $640 | 2 | Mississippi State Plumbing Code (state-specific) | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | — | No | — | — | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $600 | 4 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | No | — | Yes | — | 0 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $425 | 4 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — specifically the 2018 edition per test day instructions | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $288 | 6 | 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with NH amendments (adopted effective July 1, 2024) | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | 10,000 | Yes | $260 | 5 | National Standard Plumbing Code | April 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | 8,000 | No | $105 | 16 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) 2021 with New Mexico amendments | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | No | — | No | — | — | NYC Plumbing Code (based on IPC with NYC amendments); NYC DOB administers exam based on NYC Plumbing Code | April 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | — | — | NC State Plumbing Code (2024 codes effective July 1, 2025) | April 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | 7 | Yes | $175 | 4 | North Dakota State Plumbing Code | April 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | 10,000 | Yes | $85 | 10 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted under Ohio Building Code | April 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $163 | 6 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | 8,000 | No | $505 | — | Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC) — based on Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | April 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | No | — | No | — | — | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $147 | — | Rhode Island State Plumbing Code — based on IPC with state amendments; exam may still reference BOCA 2006 (verify if updated) | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $190 | 0 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $205 | 4 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) (IAPMO) | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $75 | 0 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) — Tennessee edition | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | 8 | Yes | $208.50 | 6 | Texas State Plumbing Code | April 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $302-$322 | 12 | Utah-adopted plumbing code (based on IPC with state amendments) | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | 12,000 | Yes | $245 | 8 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $230 | 3 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code | April 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | 8,000 | No | Approx. $497.70 ($56.40 trainee + $189.80 exam application + $80 PSI scheduling + $227.90 certification) | 24 | Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Washington State amendments | April 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | 8,000 | Yes | $127-$135 | No continuing education required | International Plumbing Code (IPC) + International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | 10,000 | Yes | $210 | 24 | Wisconsin State Plumbing Code (Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 381-387) | April 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | — | Yes | — | 0 | International Plumbing Code (IPC) | April 2026 |
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Plumber licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
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