Texas Plumbing License (Master, Journeyman)

Requirements to Obtaining your License

Master Plumber

Must be currently licensed as a Journeyman Plumber in Texas or another state and must have held the Journeyman license for at least one year or must hold a Master Plumber license in another state.
Must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). A copy of the diploma or GED must be submitted with the application.
Must have proof that the applicant is a citizen or national of the United States, or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, or an alien authorized to work lawfully in the United States. Proof must be provided with application.

Journeyman Plumber

Must have either a current Plumber’s Apprentice registration, a current Tradesman Plumber-Limited license, or a valid Journeyman or Master Plumber license from another state.
Must have at least 8000 hours of experience working at the trade under the direct supervision of a licensed plumber and general supervision of a Master plumber (if currently a Plumber’s Apprentice) or 8000 hours working at the trade under the general supervision of a Master Plumber (if currently a Tradesman Plumber-Limited or valid Journeyman or Master Plumber from another state). Proof of experience must be submitted on the Board’s “Employer’s Certification Form”.
Must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). A copy of the diploma or GED must be submitted with the application.
Must have proof that the applicant is a citizen or national of the United States, or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, or an alien authorized to work lawfully in the United States. Proof must be provided with application.

Work that can be Done Under this License

A Master Plumbing License covers unlimited plumbing work including sanitary drainage, water supply, storm drainage, and natural gas piping.

A Journeyman Plumbing license covers unlimited plumbing work including sanitary drainage, water supply, storm drainage, and natural gas piping while under the supervision of a Master Plumber.

Applying to get your License

To apply for license, please contact the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners at 1-512-936-5200.

The master examination and application fee is $155.
The journeyman examination and application fee is $27.

Reciprocity Agreements

Reciprocity is considered on a case by case basis.

Continuing Education

Six hours of board approved education are required per year.

Exam Details

Master Plumber

The Written Portion of the examination will test the applicant’s knowledge of OSHA, ADA, LP Gas, trade-related math and simple physics, waste and vent systems, natural gas systems, water systems, proper plumbing terms and definitions, cross-connections, backsiphonage, backflow, water heaters, proper sizing of gas, gas vent appliance, water and drainage plumbing systems, and the Plumbing License Law and Board Rules.

The Sanitary Waste and Vent Installation Portion of the examination will test the applicant’s knowledge of the proper planning, layout and installation of multi-story sanitary waste and vent systems. The applicant will design a sanitary waste and vent system for a three-story building. The applicant will then perform the material “take-off”, order the material and actually install the sanitary waste and vent system in a reduced scale three-story building.

Journeyman Plumber

The Written Portion of the examination will test the applicant’s knowledge of waste and vent systems, natural gas systems, water systems, proper plumbing terms and definitions, cross-connections, backsiphonage, backflow, water heaters, and the Plumbing License Law and Board Rules.

The Sanitary Waste and Vent Installation Portion will test the applicant’s knowledge of the proper planning, layout and installation of sanitary waste and vent systems. The applicant will design the sanitary waste and vent system for a two-story building. The applicant will then perform the material “take-off”, order the material and actually install the sanitary waste and vent system in the reduced scale two-story building.

The Mechanical “Hands-On” Shop-work Portion of the examination will test the applicant’s knowledge and ability to properly use plumbing tools to measure, cut, prepare, assemble, install plumbing materials and recognize proper installations of water heaters.

Books and References for the Exam

The following references recommended to study for the examinations. Please note that these references are NOT permitted to be used during testing. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. They are available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-952-0910.