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How to become a licensed plumber in Texas. State-level licensing required. 8 apprenticeship hours required. Total initial fees: $208.50. Verified 2026-04-03. Data verified 2026-04-03. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Yes
State Licensed?
8
Apprentice Hours
6
License Levels
$208.50
Total Fees
6 hrs
CE Hours
Texas State Plumbing Code
Code Version
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VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
Apprenticeship Program
8
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade; must complete a 48-hour training course approved by TSBPE, OR be enrolled in/have completed a DOL Office of Apprenticeship-approved training program. The 48-hour course is waived only if the applicant holds a Journeyman or Master Plumber License issued by another state.
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Must hold Journeyman license; effective September 1, 2025: 2 years as licensed journeyman (REDUCED from previous 4 years — signed by Governor); Alternative: 1 year as journeyman + completion of DOL-approved training program
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
Pearson VUE
Plumbing Code Version
Texas State Plumbing Code
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Texas has 1% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Texas has average plumbers density relative to population.
Texas ranks #32 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $15 |
Journeyman License Initial license fee; application: $40; exam: $128.50 (Pearson VUE) | $40 |
Master License Initial license fee; exam processing: $25; exam: $128.50; RMP requires $300K liability insurance | $75 |
Exam Fee Pearson VUE exam fee for all levels | $128.50 |
Renewal Fee Annual; random expiration date assigned 6-18 months from exam pass; expired >2 years = must reinstate | $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master) |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: app ($40) + exam ($128.50) + license ($40) = $208.50; Master: processing ($25) + exam ($128.50) + license ($75) = $228.50 | $208.50 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (1 year)
Renewal Period
6
CE Hours Required
$35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master)
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Annual; random expiration date assigned 6-18 months from exam pass; expired >2 years = must reinstate
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Texas has one of the strongest plumbing licensing programs, with a dedicated Board of Plumbing Examiners and a well-established tradesperson-to-master progression.
MAJOR CHANGE: Master plumber experience reduced from 4 to 2 years effective September 1, 2025 (signed by Governor)
Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours, 24-hr training course, limited to 1-2 family dwellings under RMP supervision
Hours MUST be registered BEFORE they count — pre-registration hours are not credited
Apprentice age: 16+; fingerprint data required
Endorsements available: Medical Gas Piping, Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist, Water Supply Protection
Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) designation allows business ownership; requires $300K liability insurance
CE: 6 hours/year for J/M; 12 hours/3 years for Tradesman
Annual renewal with random expiration date (6-18 months from exam pass)
Expired >2 years = must reinstate (re-register as apprentice, retake all exams)
Uses Texas State Plumbing Code
Exam provider: Pearson VUE ($128.50 per exam)
TSBPE reviews reciprocity individually; formal reciprocity with LA and SC for journeyman
Plumber Schools in Texas
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#39 of 51
Cost
#36 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152)
Entry Level
$46,400
25th percentile
Median
$58,560
-7% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$72,390
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
42,290 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" includes pipefitters and steamfitters in addition to plumbers. Wages for plumbers specifically may differ.
Source: BLS OEWS – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+27,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
39,200
per year (avg.)
510,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Plumbing Career Ladder+25% salary growth potential
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Plumber (Journeyman)
$58,560
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$58,560
Master plumber license + contractor license
$73,420
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–222 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
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Plumber requirements in nearby states
Texas ranks #18 out of 45 for lowest plumber licensing fees ($208.50). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours · Fewest Apprenticeship Hours
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Other professional licenses in Texas
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Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06
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