Plumbing License Requirements: Tiers, Hours, and How to Get One
A plumbing license is the state or local credential that lets you legally do plumbing work for pay, pull permits, and, at higher tiers, run a shop. Most plumbers move through three or four levels: apprentice, journeyman, master, and often a separate contractor license. Requirements vary by state, so verify every rule with your licensing board. Related: whether a handyman can do plumbing.
What is a plumbing license?
A plumbing license is legal permission from a state or local authority to perform plumbing work, issued after you prove experience and pass an exam. It protects the public by confirming you understand code, safety, and system design. Working without the required license can bring fines, stop-work orders, and voided permits, depending on your state and the job size.
The exam usually tests your state’s adopted plumbing code, whether that is the IPC, the UPC, or a state amendment, plus fixture sizing, venting, and safe practice. This page explains the license itself and is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the exact tiers, hours, and fees with the board that issues licenses where you plan to work.
Plumbing license tiers: apprentice, journeyman, master, contractor
Most states recognize three or four plumbing license tiers: apprentice, journeyman, master, and a separate contractor or business license. Each tier adds experience hours, a harder exam, and more authority, from supervised training up to pulling permits and running a shop. Names and exact thresholds vary by state, so the table below shows the common pattern.
| Tier | Typical requirement | What it lets you do |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | Register with the board and work under a licensed plumber; often paired with classroom hours. Usually no exam. | Learn on the job for pay under supervision. Cannot pull permits or work solo. |
| Journeyman | About 4 to 5 years and roughly 6,000 to 8,000 supervised hours, then pass a journeyman exam on code and practice. | Work independently on installs and repairs, usually under a master’s or contractor’s business. |
| Master | Often 1 to 2 more years (about 4,000 hours) as a journeyman, then a harder exam. | Pull permits, design systems, and supervise journeymen and apprentices. |
| Contractor | Hold or employ a master (a qualifying party) plus business registration, insurance, and often a bond. | Own a plumbing business, bid jobs, and pull permits under the company. |
Some states license all of these at the state level; others license only locally, and a handful use a mix. The journeyman plumber tier is where most plumbers spend years before testing for master. Where you hold your license also matters for reciprocity, since most states make you pass their own exam even if you are already licensed elsewhere.
How to get a plumbing license step by step
To get a plumbing license, you register as an apprentice, log several years of supervised hours, pass a journeyman exam, then move up to master and contractor levels over time. The exact steps, hours, and fees depend on your state or city, so confirm each requirement with the board that issues your license before you apply.
- Meet the basics. Be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED. Some states also expect you to read and write English or clear a background check.
- Register as an apprentice. Sign up with your state board or a union or non-union program and start logging hours under a licensed plumber. See how to become a plumber for the full path.
- Get training. Combine on-the-job hours with classroom instruction, either through your apprenticeship or a plumbing trade school program.
- Log your hours. Most states want roughly 6,000 to 8,000 documented hours, about 4 to 5 years, before you sit for the journeyman exam.
- Pass the journeyman exam. Expect questions on the adopted plumbing code, safety, and system design, then pay the exam and license fees.
- Build master experience. Work 1 to 2 more years, often around 4,000 hours, as a journeyman, then pass the master exam.
- Add a contractor license. To run a business, register the company and add the insurance and bond your state requires.
Does every state require a plumbing license?
No. A plumbing license is not federally standardized, and a few states have no statewide license at all. Kansas and New York, for example, license plumbers mainly at the city or county level, so a Wichita or New York City license does not automatically cover the whole state. Most states, though, license at the state level.
Because rules are set locally, the same job can need a license in one town and not the next, and some states set a dollar threshold. Mississippi, for instance, has required a state license for projects above a set value. Always check the authority for the exact city or county where the work will happen, not just the state name.
How to look up or verify a plumbing license
To verify a plumbing license, search the licensing board for the state or city where the work happens, using the plumber’s name, license number, or business. Most boards run a free online lookup that shows license type, status, and expiration in about two minutes. For local-only states, check the specific city or county office instead.
State boards run these tools under names you can search directly, such as the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners or the California State License Board. A valid record confirms the tier (tradesman, journeyman, master, or responsible master plumber), that the license is active, and that any required bond or insurance is on file. If a name returns nothing, ask the plumber for their license number and re-check before hiring.
License renewal and continuing education
Most plumbing licenses expire on a fixed cycle, often every one to three years, and require a renewal fee plus continuing education. Continuing education hours keep you current on code changes and safety rules, and the amount varies by state. Let a license lapse and you may face reinstatement fees, a waiting period, or a repeat exam, depending on local rules.
Continuing education often focuses on the latest code cycle, backflow rules, and safety updates. Contractor licenses usually carry extra upkeep, such as renewing the bond and general liability insurance and keeping the business registration active. Set a reminder ahead of your expiration date, since boards rarely restore a lapsed license automatically and some require you to re-test after a long gap.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a plumbing license?
Becoming a licensed journeyman plumber usually takes about 4 to 5 years, the time needed to log roughly 6,000 to 8,000 supervised hours and pass the journeyman exam. Moving up to master plumber often adds 1 to 2 more years. Exact timelines vary by state and whether you attend trade school first.
How much does a plumbing license cost?
Costs vary widely by state and tier. Exam and application fees often run from about $35 to $250 per step, and some states charge separately for the exam, the license, and renewals. Georgia, for example, charges around $35 for a journeyman and $75 for a master license. Add trade school or apprenticeship costs on top.
What is the difference between a journeyman and a master plumber?
A journeyman has passed the state exam and can work independently on installs and repairs, usually under a master’s or contractor’s business. A master plumber has more experience, has passed a harder exam, and can pull permits, design systems, and supervise journeymen and apprentices. Masters can also qualify a company for a contractor license.
How do I verify a plumber’s license?
Go to the licensing board for the state or city where the work happens and use its online lookup. Search by the plumber’s name, license number, or business to see the license type, status, and expiration date. In local-only states like Kansas, check the specific city office. Verification is free and usually takes a couple of minutes.
Does every state require a plumbing license?
No. Licensing is set by states and cities, not the federal government, and a few states have no statewide plumbing license. Kansas and New York regulate mainly at the city or county level, so local rules control who can work. Most states do license at the state level, and job size can also trigger a requirement.
How can I apply for a plumbing license in my state?
Start with your state or local plumbing board’s website, which lists the exact tiers, required hours, and forms. Confirm you have logged enough supervised experience, then submit the application with proof of hours, fees, and any required schooling. Schedule and pass the exam for your tier. Rules change often, so verify current requirements before you apply.
Last reviewed: September 2026.