Plumbing work affects water safety, sanitation, and gas lines in homes and businesses. Because of that responsibility, most states require plumbers to complete supervised training and pass an exam before they can work independently.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters held about 510,600 jobs in 2025, with employment projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, adding roughly 34,500 jobs and creating about 42,000 openings a year on average over the decade. The median annual wage for the occupation was $63,800 in May 2025.
That demand means real opportunity for people entering the trade, but it also means state licensing boards are processing a steady stream of new applicants. Understanding plumbing license requirements by state helps you plan your path and avoid delays. For a broader look at the career itself, including training options and specialty paths, see our guide to becoming a licensed plumber.
Plumbing License Requirements Across the United States
Most states that license plumbers use some version of a three-tier structure:
- Apprentice plumber
- Journeyman plumber
- Master plumber.
Apprentices train under a licensed plumber while completing paid on-the-job hours, typically over a 4- to 5-year apprenticeship with around 2,000 hours of hands-on training per year. After that, plumbers can usually sit for a Journeyman exam, and after several more years of experience, a Master exam.
That said, this structure isn’t universal. Some states license only the business, not the individual (Arizona’s Registrar of Contractors and California’s C-36 classification are contractor-only credentials). A few states have no statewide plumbing license at all, leaving licensing entirely to cities and counties (Pennsylvania, New York, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming all fall into this category). Others sit somewhere in between, with a state credential plus additional local requirements layered on top (Florida, Maryland, and Tennessee, among others).
How to Get Licensed as a Plumber
Even with all the state-by-state variation, most plumbers move through the same general sequence to get licensed.
Step 1: Complete Basic Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical starting point. Vocational and technical schools offer coursework in pipe systems, safety, and blueprint reading that can help you find an apprenticeship.
Step 2: Start an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with technical instruction in local codes, safety, and blueprint reading. Most last 4 to 5 years and are sponsored by unions, trade associations, or plumbing contractors. In states without a statewide license, the apprenticeship or trainee path may still be governed by a city, county, union, contractor, or local board.
Step 3: Pass the Journeyman Exam
After completing an apprenticeship, plumbers can typically apply to sit for a Journeyman exam. States and localities that require licensing generally ask for 2 to 5 years of experience before this step. Passing the exam allows a plumber to work independently in most jurisdictions.
Step 4: Work Toward Master Status (Where Applicable)
Plumbers with several years of Journeyman experience may qualify to sit for a Master exam. Some states require Master status before a plumber can hold a plumbing contractor’s license and run their own business.
Plumbing License Exam
Exam content varies by state, but most cover:
- Plumbing code and safety standards (commonly the International Plumbing Code or the Uniform Plumbing Code, depending on the state)
- Pipe sizing and system design
- Fixture and materials knowledge
- Local code amendments.
Contractor-level exams in contractor-only states, such as Arizona and California, typically include a business and law section covering estimating, contracts, and licensing regulations.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Plumbing License
A typical timeline looks like this:
- 0 to 1 year: Technical training or trade school (optional but helpful)
- 4 to 5 years: Apprenticeship and supervised work experience
- Final step: Journeyman exam and application, with Master status available after further experience in states that offer it.
Most plumbers reach Journeyman status after 4 to 5 years of combined training and experience, and apprentices earn wages throughout the apprenticeship.
Plumbing License Cost
License fees vary widely by state and by license tier, and typically include an application fee, an exam fee, and a separate licensing or renewal fee. Some states also require continuing education for renewal. Because these fees vary significantly by state and license type, check your state board’s fee schedule directly rather than relying on a single national figure.
Plumbing License Requirements by State
Use this table as a starting point, not the final authority. Plumbing license requirements can change, and some states allow cities, counties, or utility jurisdictions to add their own licensing, registration, or permitting rules. Before applying, confirm the current requirements with the licensing authority listed and your local city or county office.
| State | Licensing Authority | License Structure | Local Licensing? | Official Resource |
| Alabama | Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | pgfb.alabama.gov |
| Alaska | Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section | Certificate of Fitness (4 classes) plus separate Mechanical Administrator credential | Some municipalities add their own inspection layer | labor.alaska.gov |
| Arizona | Registrar of Contractors (ROC) | Contractor-only: Residential, Commercial, or Dual plumbing contractor license | No | roc.az.gov |
| Arkansas | Dept. of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | healthy.arkansas.gov |
| California | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | Contractor-only: C-36 Plumbing Contractor (journeyman-level experience required to qualify) | No statewide duplication, though check local business license rules | cslb.ca.gov |
| Colorado | DORA, Colorado State Plumbing Board | Apprentice, Residential Plumber, Journeyman, Master | No, moved to statewide licensing | dpo.colorado.gov |
| Connecticut | Dept. of Consumer Protection, Plumbing and Gas Fitters Examining Board | Journeyperson (P-2), Contractor (P-1 Unlimited) | No | portal.ct.gov/dcp |
| Delaware | Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Examiners | Master Plumber is the core credential | No | dpr.delaware.gov |
| Florida | DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board | Registered (locally examined) or Certified (state-examined, statewide) | Yes, dual system | myfloridalicense.com |
| Georgia | State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers | Journeyman, Master (statewide) | No | sos.ga.gov |
| Hawaii | Board of Electricians and Plumbers, DCCA | Journey Worker, Master (separate C-37 contractor license needed to contract work) | No | cca.hawaii.gov |
| Idaho | State Plumbing Board, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses | Apprentice, Journeyman, Contractor | No | dopl.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Public Health | Apprentice Plumber, Plumber, Plumbing Contractor, Certified Plumbing Inspector | Chicago has its own reciprocity process | dph.illinois.gov |
| Indiana | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Indiana Plumbing Commission | Apprentice (registration), Journeyman, Contractor | No | in.gov/pla |
| Iowa | Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board, Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing | Apprentice, Technician, Journeyman, Master, plus Contractor | No | dial.iowa.gov |
| Kansas | No state licensing board | No statewide license, set city by city | Yes, fully local | No single state resource exists; check your city or county directly |
| Kentucky | Division of Plumbing, Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | dhbc.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | State Plumbing Board of Louisiana | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | spbla.com |
| Maine | Plumbers’ Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation | Journeyman, Master | No | maine.gov/pfr |
| Maryland | Maryland State Board of Plumbing, Dept. of Labor | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | Yes, partially (Baltimore County and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission area run their own systems) | labor.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters | Apprentice (registered), Journeyman, Master | No | mass.gov |
| Michigan | LARA, State Plumbing Board | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, plus Contractor | No | michigan.gov/lara |
| Minnesota | Dept. of Labor and Industry, Plumbing Board | Unlicensed/Apprentice, Journeyworker, Master, plus Contractor | No, though some cities add local permitting | dli.mn.gov |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Contractors | Contractor-only, tiered by project size ($10,000 residential remodel / $50,000 commercial or new residential thresholds) | Yes, below those thresholds | msboc.us |
| Missouri | No state board (Chapter 341 RSMo sets a baseline only where a locality adopts it) | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, set entirely by local jurisdictions | Yes, fully local | revisor.mo.gov |
| Montana | Dept. of Labor and Industry, Board of Plumbers | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov |
| Nebraska | No state plumbing board | No statewide license, set city by city | Yes, fully local | dol.nebraska.gov |
| Nevada | Nevada State Contractors Board (business license); journeyman cards issued locally | Contractor license (C-1) statewide; journeyman certification through local boards | Partial | nvcontractorsboard.com |
| New Hampshire | Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board | Trainee, Journeyman, Master | No | oplc.nh.gov |
| New Jersey | Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers | Apprentice and Journeyman (registration), Master (license) | No | njconsumeraffairs.gov/plu |
| New Mexico | Construction Industries Division, Mechanical/Plumbing Bureau | Apprentice, Journeyman, Contractor (no separate state “Master” credential) | No | rld.nm.gov |
| New York | No state agency; regulated locally (e.g. NYC Dept. of Buildings) | Varies by city; NYC uses Journeyman and Master tiers | Yes, fully local | nyc.gov/buildings (e.g. check your own city) |
| North Carolina | State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors | Contractor license, Class I (unlimited) or Class II (limited) | No | nclicensing.org |
| North Dakota | North Dakota State Plumbing Board | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | ndplumbingboard.gov |
| Ohio | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board | Contractor/Master license via exam (commercial plumbing); no state apprentice/journeyman credential | Some home-rule cities may require additional registration | com.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | Construction Industries Board | Trade license via exam | No | oklahoma.gov/cib |
| Oregon | Building Codes Division | Apprentice, Journeyman, plus Contractor license | No | oregon.gov/bcd |
| Pennsylvania | No state licensing authority | No statewide license, entirely municipal | Yes, fully local | pa.gov/dli |
| Rhode Island | Board of Examiners of Plumbers, Irrigators and Water System Installers | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master | No | dlt.ri.gov |
| South Carolina | SC Residential Builders Commission (residential) and SC Contractor’s Licensing Board (commercial) | Residential Plumber License; separate Mechanical Contractor (commercial) license | No | llr.sc.gov |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Plumbing Commission | Apprentice, Third-Year Apprentice, Plumber, Contractor | Check locally, as some cities add their own permitting | dlr.sd.gov |
| Tennessee | Board for Licensing Contractors | Limited Licensed Plumber (smaller jobs), Contractor classification for projects $25,000+ | Yes, cities and counties add their own Journeyman/Master licenses | tn.gov/commerce |
| Texas | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners | Apprentice (registered), Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman, Master, plus Inspector | No | tsbpe.texas.gov |
| Utah | Division of Professional Licensing, Plumbers Licensing Board | Apprentice, Residential Journeyman, Journeyman, Residential Master, Master | No | dopl.utah.gov |
| Vermont | Division of Fire Safety, Plumbers Examining Board | Apprentice, Journeyman (P2), Master (P1) | No | firesafety.vermont.gov |
| Virginia | Board for Contractors, DPOR Tradesmen Program | Journeyman, Master, plus a newer entry-level Residential Plumbing license | Local ordinances may add requirements | dpor.virginia.gov |
| Washington | Dept. of Labor & Industries, Plumber Certification Program | Trainee, Journey Level, plus specialty certifications | No | lni.wa.gov |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Division of Labor | Plumber in Training, Journeyman, Master (mandatory statewide since 2009) | Check locally for any additional requirements | labor.wv.gov |
| Wisconsin | Dept. of Safety and Professional Services | Plumbing Learner, Journeyman, Master, plus Restricted Service variants | Check locally for any additional requirements | dsps.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | No state plumbing board | No statewide license, fully local | Yes, fully local | ai.wyo.gov (confirms no state board; check your city) |
| District of Columbia | DC Board of Industrial Trades, DLCP | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, plus Trade Contractor license | N/A, single jurisdiction | dlcp.dc.gov |
Notable State Variations
A few states have license structures detailed enough to warrant a closer look. Florida and Texas are two of the most common starting points for plumbers researching licensing, and both have systems that are worth understanding in more depth.
Florida runs a dual system. A Certified plumbing contractor license, issued by the DBPR after a state exam, lets you work anywhere in Florida. A Registered license is locally examined and limited to the city or county that issued it. Most plumbers who want to work across multiple counties go the Certified route.
Texas keeps licensing entirely at the state level through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, with four main tiers: registered Apprentice, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman Plumber, and Master Plumber, plus a separate Plumbing Inspector license.
A few other states stand out because their structure departs from the usual Apprentice-Journeyman-Master pattern. California and Arizona are contractor-only states: there’s no separate state license for an individual plumber, only a contractor license for the business, with Journeyman-level experience required to qualify. Pennsylvania and New York have no state plumbing license, so licensing is entirely up to the city or county. A Philadelphia license doesn’t transfer to Pittsburgh, and a New York City license doesn’t transfer to Buffalo.
Louisiana is also interesting if you’re applying there soon. Plumbing licensing currently rests with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana, but a law passed during the 2026 legislative session transfers this authority to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, effective January 1st, 2027. If you’re applying around that date, confirm with the state which board is currently processing applications. If you’re applying in late 2026 or early 2027, check both boards before submitting paperwork.
Check Your Local Licensing Authority
Before you apply, confirm whether your area uses state, city, or county licensing rules. Review the required experience hours, exam details, application fees, and renewal steps directly with that authority. Some boards also list approved apprenticeship sponsors or accepted technical training programs. Starting with the correct licensing office keeps you from wasting time on the wrong process.
For a look at how a related trade handles this, our electrician license requirements by state and HVAC licensing guide cover similar ground.
Building a Plumbing Business After Getting Licensed
Getting licensed is the first milestone, not the last one. Many plumbers eventually start their own plumbing business, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers as they grow. That brings a different set of challenges: pricing and quoting jobs, keeping the books straight, collecting payment reliably, and scheduling and dispatching technicians as the team grows. Once the fundamentals are in place, marketing and growing the business become the next focus.
Field service management software like Service Fusion, along with tools like Service Fusion Payments, can help with the operational side of running a plumbing business, keeping scheduling, job records, and invoicing connected in one place as your team grows.
Ready to Grow Your Plumbing Business?
Getting licensed is only the first step. Service Fusion helps plumbing businesses manage the work that comes next: scheduling jobs, dispatching technicians, sending estimates, collecting payments, and keeping customer records connected as the business grows.
Article Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Occupational Outlook Handbook. August 21st, 2026
- Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board. pgfb.alabama.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Alaska Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development. labor.alaska.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors. roc.az.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Arkansas Dept. of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. healthy.arkansas.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- California Contractors State License Board. cslb.ca.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. dpo.colorado.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection. portal.ct.gov/dcp. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. dpr.delaware.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Florida Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation. myfloridalicense.com. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Georgia Secretary of State, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. sos.ga.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Hawaii Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs. cca.hawaii.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. dopl.idaho.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Illinois Department of Public Health. dph.illinois.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. in.gov/pla. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing. dial.iowa.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Kentucky Division of Plumbing. dhbc.ky.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- State Plumbing Board of Louisiana. spbla.com. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. maine.gov/pfr. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Maryland Dept. of Labor, State Board of Plumbing. labor.maryland.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure. mass.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. michigan.gov/lara. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry. dli.mn.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors. msboc.us. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes, Chapter 341. revisor.mo.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry. boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Nebraska Dept. of Labor. dol.nebraska.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Nevada State Contractors Board. nvcontractorsboard.com. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. oplc.nh.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. njconsumeraffairs.gov/plu. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department. rld.nm.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- New York City Department of Buildings. nyc.gov/buildings. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors. nclicensing.org. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- North Dakota State Plumbing Board. ndplumbingboard.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Ohio Dept. of Commerce. com.ohio.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. oklahoma.gov/cib. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Oregon Building Codes Division. oregon.gov/bcd. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor & Industry. pa.gov/dli. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Rhode Island Dept. of Labor and Training. dlt.ri.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- South Carolina Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. llr.sc.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- South Dakota Dept. of Labor and Regulation. dlr.sd.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Tennessee Dept. of Commerce and Insurance. tn.gov/commerce. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. tsbpe.texas.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing. dopl.utah.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Vermont Division of Fire Safety. firesafety.vermont.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Virginia Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation. dpor.virginia.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Washington Dept. of Labor & Industries. lni.wa.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- West Virginia Division of Labor. labor.wv.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services. dsps.wi.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- Wyoming Office of Administration and Information. ai.wyo.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
- District of Columbia Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection. dlcp.dc.gov. Accessed September 15th, 2026
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