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How to get a plumber license in California

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for California plumbing licenses, pulled from official CA sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
  • State journeyman license: No (No state journeyman plumber license. CSLB licenses C-36 Plumbing Contractors.)
  • C-36 Plumbing Contractor (CSLB): At least 4 years of journey-level (or higher) experience in the C-36 plumbing classification; up to 3 years can be credited for apprenticeship or education under CSLB rules.
  • Exam: see below, via PSI (CSLB contract)
  • Code edition: C-36 trade exam content follows CSLB's plumbing contractor study outline and California code references CSLB lists for that classification; confirm the current study guide before you test.

Requirements by license

C-36 Plumbing Contractor (CSLB)

ExperienceAt least 4 years of journey-level (or higher) experience in the C-36 plumbing classification; up to 3 years can be credited for apprenticeship or education under CSLB rules.Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of
ExamPSI (CSLB contract). Closed book. Law & Business exam plus the C-36 trade exam, computer-based multiple choice at PSI centers. Trade exams are given only in California or Oregon. CSLB does not publish a question count or passing percentage on the pages we checked.Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of · Classification scope: cslb.ca.gov
Fees
  • Original application: $450
  • Initial license (sole owner): $200
  • Initial license (non-sole owner): $350
  • PSI exam fee, per exam (Law & Business and C-36 are separate; retakes pay again): $51.43 ($102.86 for both exams; paid to PSI)
Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of · CSLB SB 1455 fee bulletin; same original-application schedule used for specialty classifications such as C-10.
RenewalEvery 2 years. Active licenses expire every two years. Active timely renewal (sole owner) is $470; $720 non-sole owner.Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of
CE to renewNone required. CSLB renewal requires an application, fee, and active-status items (bond, workers' comp, qualifier); no CE. CSLB's Registrar told the Board in June 2024 there is no statute requiring CE as part of CSLB licensing.Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of

License types in California

  • C-36 Plumbing Contractor (CSLB)
  • No statewide journeyman plumber license
Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

CSLB does not offer blanket out-of-state reciprocity for C-36. You generally apply by exam (Law & Business + C-36) unless you qualify for a specific waiver CSLB publishes. Confirm any out-of-state waiver with CSLB before you skip an exam.Source: cslb.ca.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does California license journeyman plumbers statewide?

No. California has no state journeyman plumber license. Plumbing contractors use CSLB classification C-36.

What exams does a C-36 plumbing contractor take?

CSLB's Law & Business exam and the C-36 trade exam through PSI.

Already licensed? See California plumber license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.