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How to get a plumber license in Texas

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

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (TSBPE licenses Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Responsible Master Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, and several registrations/endorsements statewide.)
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours of experience working at the trade under a Responsible Master Plumber or a Master Plumber licensed in another state, plus 48 hours of classroom training from an approved instructor in an approved training program. You must also hold a current Plumber's Apprentice registration, Tradesman Plumber-Limited license, or out-of-state Journeyman Plumber license. Up to 1,000 hours may be credited for completing the classroom portion of a DOL-approved or Board-approved training program; an associate of applied science in plumbing technology has a separate exam pathway under the rules.
  • Exam: see below, via TSBPE (Board-administered)
  • Code edition: Texas plumbing exams and CPE use the plumbing codes and board materials TSBPE publishes for each exam; confirm the current reference list with TSBPE before you test.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Plumber

Experience8,000 hours of experience working at the trade under a Responsible Master Plumber or a Master Plumber licensed in another state, plus 48 hours of classroom training from an approved instructor in an approved training program. You must also hold a current Plumber's Apprentice registration, Tradesman Plumber-Limited license, or out-of-state Journeyman Plumber license. Up to 1,000 hours may be credited for completing the classroom portion of a DOL-approved or Board-approved training program; an associate of applied science in plumbing technology has a separate exam pathway under the rules.Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of · 22 TAC §363.5 (TSBPE Rules). · Overview: tsbpe.texas.gov
ExamTSBPE (Board-administered). The Board designs a uniform exam with written questions and practical applications when appropriate, and publishes the scope of each exam on its website. Pay the Journeyman exam fee before you sit.Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of · 22 TAC §363.18. Exam fee: 22 TAC fee schedule — Journeyman Plumber examination $40. · Overview: tsbpe.texas.gov
Fees
  • Journeyman Plumber examination: $40
  • Journeyman Plumber initial license: $40
  • Journeyman Plumber renewal (annual): $40
Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of · 22 TAC fee schedule in the TSBPE Rules (Examinations; Initial Licenses; Renewals). · Overview: tsbpe.texas.gov
RenewalEvery year. Renew before your annual expiration date with the completed renewal application, required CPE, and fee. Late renewals create an unlicensed period until the renewed license is issued; you may not do license-required plumbing work during that period.Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of · 22 TAC §365.5. · Overview: tsbpe.texas.gov
CE to renew6 hours per year
  • Technical, legal or ethical aspects of plumbing (including grounds for discipline and professional responsibility)
You have 12 months to obtain at least 6 hours of CPE/training for a timely annual renewal. Courses may be in person, correspondence, or virtual when the provider allows it.
Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of · 22 TAC §365.14 and §365.15. · Overview: tsbpe.texas.gov

License types in Texas

  • Plumber's Apprentice registration
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited License
  • Journeyman Plumber License
  • Master Plumber License
  • Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) License
  • Plumbing Inspector; Medical Gas / Water Supply Protection / Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler endorsements
Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Texas does not publish a blanket plumber reciprocity list on the TSBPE pages we checked. Out-of-state journeyman experience and licenses can count toward TSBPE eligibility under §363.5 (for example, holding a current journeyman plumber license from another state is one of the pathways into the Texas journeyman exam). Confirm your specific out-of-state license with TSBPE before you apply.Source: tsbpe.texas.gov · as of · Eligibility pathways: 22 TAC §363.5 in tsbpe.texas.gov

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 Texas have a state journeyman plumber license?

Yes. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) licenses Journeyman Plumbers statewide after 8,000 hours, 48 hours of approved classroom training, and the Board exam.

How many CPE hours does a Texas journeyman plumber need?

At least 6 hours of continuing professional education or training each year for a timely renewal (22 TAC §365.14).

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

Other states

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