Licensing Guides
Texas Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in Texas
Plumbing, TX
Table of Contents
Getting your plumber’s license in Texas is a multi-step process that will take four to five years. You’ll begin as a plumber’s apprentice. Then you can progress to higher-ranking licenses as you acquire more on-the-job experience, training and successfully pass progressively more rigorous license exams.
But it is a skill that will always be in demand. If you’re considering taking this career path, you’ll need to understand the licensing regulations and how to navigate the terrain. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there are 469,000 plumbers nationwide and Texas employs 36,920 of them. The national number is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031 adding 9,100 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In Texas, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is more than ten times that at 22% for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Contractors are struggling to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR professionals. In fact, 93% of firms in the United States and 93% of firms in Texas had unfilled hourly craft positions, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey. So, if you get the training you need you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
You don’t need a high school diploma or a license to begin as an apprentice but you must register with the state. You will need your high school diploma or a General Educational Development certificate to eventually become a licensed master plumber.
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Licensing Requirements for Plumbers in Texas
Is a license required to be a plumber in Texas? Yes.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is the state agency responsible for licensing plumbers in Texas and has the authority to issue licenses, endorsements, and registrations.
It is illegal to do plumbing work in Texas without a license.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Texas
There are four types of plumbing licenses in Texas. Each requires that you first register as an apprentice as mentioned above and each allows different scopes of work.
A Plumbers Apprentice may learn about and assist with the installation of plumbing under the direct supervision of a licensed plumber. If a licensed plumber is not present, an apprentice may only perform manual tasks such as digging trenches.
Scope of work:
May construct, install, repair, service, or renovate plumbing for one and two-family dwellings under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber.
May also directly supervise a Plumbers Apprentice on job sites of one or two-family dwellings.
May work on job sites other than a one or two-family dwelling under the direct supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber.
Scope of work:
May install, change, repair, service, or renovate plumbing under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber.
May also directly supervise a Plumbers Apprentice on all job sites or a Tradesman Plumber-Limited on job sites for structures other than one or two-family dwellings.
Scope of work:
May install, change, repair, service, or renovate plumbing under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber.
May also directly supervise a Plumbers Apprentice on all job sites or a Tradesman Plumber-Limited on job sites for structures other than one or two-family dwellings.
Scope of work:
May inspect plumbing work performed within the jurisdiction with which the inspector is affiliated.
Steps for Each Type of Plumbers License in Texas
For each license, you must meet all eligibility requirements, take and pass an examination, and pay a fee.
APPRENTICE REGISTRATION
Eligibility: You may register if you are at least 16 years old.
Steps to register:
Submit a completed Plumbers Apprentice Registration Application.
Pay $15 fee.
If you have been convicted of a felony submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form.
TRADESMAN PLUMBER-LIMITED
Eligibility: You may take the exam if:
You are registered as an apprentice in Texas or hold a Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber license issued in another state
You have at least 4,000 hours of documented plumbing work experience
You have completed an approved 24-hour training course
Steps to apply for an exam:
Submit completed Tradesman Plumber-Limited Examination application with all documentation.
Submit Employer Certification Form.
Pay $36 fee.
If you have been convicted of a felony submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form.
JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER
Eligibility: You may take the exam if:
You are registered as a Plumbers Apprentice or licensed as a Tradesman Plumber-Limited in Texas or hold a Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber license issued in another state
You have at least 8,000 hours of documented plumbing work experience
You have completed an approved 48-hour training course
Steps to apply for an exam:
Submit completed Journeyman Plumber Examination application with all documentation.
Submit Employer Certification Form.
Pay $40 fee.
If you have been convicted of a felony submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form.
MASTER PLUMBER
Eligibility: You may take the exam if:
You have a high school diploma or GED.
You are licensed as a Journeyman Plumber in Texas or another state and have held that license for at least four years.
You are licensed as a Journeyman Plumber in Texas or another state, have held that license for at least one year, and have successfully completed an approved training program.
You are licensed as a Master Plumber in another state and previously held a Journeyman Plumber license for at least four years.
You are licensed as a Master Plumber in another state, previously held a Journeyman Plumber license for at least one year, and have successfully completed an approved training program.
Steps to apply for an exam:
Submit completed Master Plumber Examination Application with all documentation.
Pay $175 fee.
If you have been convicted of a felony submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form.
There is also a Responsible Master Plumber Designation that can be added to a Master Plumber license. You may apply for the Responsible Master Plumber Designation if:
You are currently licensed as a Master Plumber in Texas.
You are in good standing with the TSBPE.
You have completed a 24-hour training course approved by TSBPE.
You have submitted proof that you have obtained a minimum of $300,000 of commercial liability insurance coverage.
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Eligibility: You may take the exam if:
You have a high school diploma or GED
You have completed 500 hours of training and experience in the plumbing industry
OR you are currently licensed as
A Master Plumber in Texas
A Journeyman Plumber in Texas
A Professional Engineer in Texas
An Architect in Texas
Or a Plumbing Inspector in another state with equivalent licensing requirements
Steps to apply for an exam:
Submit completed Plumbing Inspector Examination Application with all documentation.
Pay $55 fee.
If you have been convicted of a felony submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form.
Benefits of Getting a Plumbers License in Texas
Working toward a Plumbers License in Texas requires you to begin as an apprentice, and there are many benefits of this process:
You will earn as you learn with a guarantee of pay increases as you develop new skills.
You will receive industry-recognized credentials that can go with you anywhere.
You will be embarking on a career, not just doing a job.
You can eventually own your own business and be your own boss.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
It also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Plumber in Texas?
The annual mean wage for a plumber in Texas is $52,470 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary increases as you might expect as you acquire more experience according to indeed.com.
Apprentice: The average salary for an apprentice plumber is $17.91 per hour in Texas and $5,500 overtime per year.
Journeyman: The average salary for a journeyman plumber is $27.06 per hour in Texas and $6,750 overtime per year.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a plumbing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one plumbing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbers License in Texas?
Plumbers Apprentice
$15 registration fee
Tradesman Plumber-Limited
Exam fee $36
Initial License Fee $35
Renewal Fee $35
Journeyman Plumber
Exam fee $40
Initial License Fee $40
Renewal Fee $40
Master Plumber
Exam fee $175
Initial License Fee $75
Renewal Fee $75
Plumbing Inspector
Exam fee $55
Initial License Fee $55
Renewal Fee $55
Responsible Master Plumber Designation
Initial Application Fee $345
Renewal Fee $420
How to Get a Plumbers License in Texas
Work Experience: Register as a Plumbers Apprentice and begin working under the direct supervision of a licensed plumber. You must register before you can start counting hours of experience you have working in the plumbing trade. Any hours worked before you are registered do not count toward the required hours for each of the levels of licensing.
Submit Work Experience Documentation: Submit completed Employer Certification Form. The TSBPE does not track your hours for you. The ECF must be signed by the Responsible Master Plumber who was the RMP at the time you worked for the company, or the licensee who supervised you on the job. If you earned all of your hours working for the same employer, then you need to submit only one ECF. If you earned your hours working for more than one employer, you must submit a separate ECF from each employer.
Take The Exam: After you have successfully passed the exam you will pay a fee to obtain your certificate of licensure and pocket card. The fee increases and the exam becomes more rigorous as you progress up the ranking of licenses.
Criminal Background Check: You must pass a criminal history check. If you have been convicted of a felony, you must also submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form (SCHIF).
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How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbers License in Texas?
To apply for a Tradesman Plumber-Limited License in Texas requires at least 4,000 hours, or roughly two years, of experience as a plumbers apprentice. You must also take 24 hours of Board-approved classroom training and successfully pass the licensing exam.
To acquire a Journeyman Plumber License in Texas you need 8,000 hours, or about four years, of working in the plumbing trade, take a 48-hour, Board-approved training course, and pass the exam.
A Master Plumber License requires you to hold a Journeyman License and have 8,000 hours of work experience and pass a lengthier, more complex exam.
Each level of licensing requires more training and course work and upon completion allows you to work on a wider variety of plumbing systems, growing from residential to commercial to industrial.
Texas Plumbing Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become a licensed plumber in Texas including universities, community colleges, technical schools, and other training programs approved by the TSBPE or the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
Here are two great lists of the best Plumbing schools in Texas:
Niche: 2021 Best Colleges with Plumbing Degrees in Texas
Prepler: Best Plumbing Colleges & Universities in Texas
Tuition: The Cost of Tuition depends on the program you choose and varies widely. The good news is in many programs you’ll be earning while you’re learning. Tuition for a trade school can be as little as $1,250 - $3,000 for a certificate program or an associate’s degree runs about $4,500 per year for in-state students and about $7,300 for out-of-state students according to collegetuitioncompare.com.
Texas Plumbing Licensing Exam Details
According to tests.com, the Journeyman exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions, hands-on shop work, and a design project of a two-story drainage and vent system.
For the Master exam, there are 210 multiple choice questions, 1 Fuel Gas Pipe Sizing chart, 1 water pipe sizing chart, 1 gas-fueled appliance vent sizing chart, 1 drainage system pipe sizing chart, and design of a 3-story sanitary drainage and vent system for 16 plumbing fixtures.
Who Issues Plumbers Licenses in Texas?
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is the state agency responsible for licensing plumbers in Texas.
Does My Texas Plumbers License Work in Any Other State?
Reciprocity is considered on an individual basis for plumbers licenses in Texas. If you are a licensed plumber in another state, you must submit to TSBPE a letter on official letterhead from that state's licensing authority stating that you possess a valid journeyman or master plumber license. The letter must include the length of time the license has been held, whether it's renewable, and if the applicant has any complaints or disciplinary actions against them.
Extra Plumbing Endorsements in Texas
Texas offers three types of plumber licensing endorsements for Journeyman, Master, or Plumbing Inspector licenses:
Medical Gas Piping Installation — Complete 24-hour TSBPE-approved training course and pass exam.
Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist — Complete 24-hour TSBPE-approved training course or hold current RME-General or RME-Dwelling License issued by State Fire Marshal, and pass the exam.
Water Supply Protection Specialist — Complete 24-hour TSBPE-approved training course and pass exam.
*All 3 endorsements require submittal of Supplemental Criminal History Form if ever convicted of a felony. Renewal of endorsements required every 3 years, assigned an expiration date that matches when main plumbing license expires.
Plumbing Certifications in Texas
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications), and other professional certifications are not required but may make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers or can increase your marketability to customers.
Other Requirements Unique to Texas
To keep your state-issued licenses and registrations current, Texas requires you to complete six hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) before renewal, except the Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement, which requires at least two hours of continuing education for renewal.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all Plumbing industry news in several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog
Read about the latest industry trends
Listen to top plumbing podcasts such as ServiceTitan’s Toolbox for the Trades podcast.
