Plumber license requirements by state

415 verified facts, with the agency’s wording and source links.

Compare requirements by state

Not verified yet means no confirmed value is available. Costs are not a total unless the source says so.

AlabamaNot verified yetNot verified yetMaster applicants must pass the plumbing examination and an additional business-law examination.
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all Master level applicants must complete both the plumbing and/or gas fitting exam AND a business law exam.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
All certificates and registrations expire on December 31st of each year.
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All certificates and registrations expire on December 31st of each year.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Alaska$200.00
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A separate $200 certificate fee upon issue.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Journeyman: 8,000 hours of legally obtained commercial/residential plumbing installation experience.
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8,000 hours of legally obtained work in installation of commercial/residential plumbing.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Journeyman examination required; passing score 70 percent.
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Test: Exam required. Passing score 70%.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Not verified yet
ArizonaNot verified yetNot verified yetWhen required, the written examination must be taken within two years before application and establish qualification in the type of contracting work.
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Successfully show, by written examination taken not more than two years before application, if required, qualification in the kind of work for which the applicant proposes to contract
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
The registrar shall implement a system for biennial license renewal and provide for proration of license renewal fees for that purpose.
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The registrar shall implement a system for biennial license renewal and provide for proration of license renewal fees for that purpose.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
ArkansasNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetMaster, Journeyman and Apprentice Plumbers licenses issued under the provisions of these rules shall expire annually on December 31st. The license shall be renewed by February 1st.
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Master, Journeyman and Apprentice Plumbers licenses issued under the provisions of these rules shall expire annually on December 31st. The license shall be renewed by February 1st.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
CaliforniaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetAn acceptable renewal application must be received at CSLB's Headquarters Office prior to the expiration date of the license to avoid any unlicensed time.
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An acceptable renewal application must be received at CSLB's Headquarters Office prior to the expiration date of the license to avoid any unlicensed time.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
ColoradoNot verified yetPractical experience: journeyman 6,800 hours; master 8,500 hours.
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The hours of practical experience required to qualify for licensure are: ... Journeyman Plumber 6,800 ... Master Plumber 8,500
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Pass the required examination before submitting the license application with experience and education documentation.
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Candidates must pass the required examination(s) before submitting an application to the Board with the required experience and education.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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ConnecticutNot verified yetNot verified yetIndividual applicants must take the required examination(s).
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Every individual applicant must take an exam(s)
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
All plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire annually on October 31st.
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All plumbing and pipefitting licenses expire annually on October 31st.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
DelawareNot verified yetNot verified yetThe Board approves candidates to sit for the master examination.
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When the Board approves you to sit for the Master exam, the Board office will send you a candidate information packet.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Plumbing/HVACR licenses expire on October 31 of even years (e.g., 2018, 2020).
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Plumbing/HVACR licenses expire on October 31 of even years (e.g., 2018, 2020).
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
District of ColumbiaNot verified yetNot verified yetA nationally certified apprenticeship completion can waive the journeyman examination.
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With proof of completion of a nationally-certified apprenticeship program, you may waive the journeyman exam.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Regardless of when they are obtained, licenses expire March 31 on even-numbered years.
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Regardless of when they are obtained, licenses expire March 31 on even-numbered years.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
FloridaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetEach certificateholder or registrant who desires to continue as a certificateholder or registrant shall renew the certificate or registration every 2 years.
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Each certificateholder or registrant who desires to continue as a certificateholder or registrant shall renew the certificate or registration every 2 years.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
GeorgiaNot verified yetNot verified yetAppropriate examination: minimum score 70.
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obtain a minimum score of seventy (70) on the appropriate examination
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
License renewal is completed online through your GOALS account and must be completed by November 30 of even-numbered years.
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License renewal is completed online through your GOALS account and must be completed by November 30 of even-numbered years.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
HawaiiNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetAll PLUMBER licenses, regardless of issuance date, are subject to renewal on or before June 30, every three years (triennial renewal) beginning June 30, 2006.
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All PLUMBER licenses, regardless of issuance date, are subject to renewal on or before June 30, every three years (triennial renewal) beginning June 30, 2006.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
IdahoNot verified yetNot verified yetJourneyman applicants must pass the IAPMO exam through PSI before applying.
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Applicants seeking initial licensure as a Plumbing Journeyman must meet the requirements for licensure and pass the IAPMO examination before submitting an application to DOPL. ... Register for and Pass the IAPMO Exam through PSI
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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IllinoisNot verified yetNot verified yetPass the state licensing examination after the required licensed apprenticeship.
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To obtain a license, individuals must pass a state licensing exam after working under a licensed plumber as a licensed apprentice for a 48 to 72 month period.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Plumber licenses must be renewed by April 30th following the date of issuance via the online renewal page.
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Plumber licenses must be renewed by April 30th following the date of issuance via the online renewal page.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
IndianaNot verified yetNot verified yetCommission approval is required before scheduling the licensure examination.
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Candidates must have their application for examination reviewed and approved for eligibility by the Plumbing Commission before the candidate may register for the examination.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Journeyman Plumber licenses expire December 31st of every odd year
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Journeyman Plumber licenses expire December 31st of every odd year ... Plumbing Contractor licenses expire December 31st of every odd year
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
IowaNot verified yetNot verified yetPass the applicable Iowa master licensing examination.
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Pass the state of Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board master licensing examination for the applicable discipline.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Your license expires after Jun. 30, year three in the licensing period.
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Your license expires after Jun. 30, year three in the licensing period.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
KansasNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
KentuckyNot verified yetNot verified yetJourneyman: at least 75% in each portion, including practical. Master: at least 80% in each portion.
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minimum of eighty (80) percent obtained for each portion ... minimum of seventy-five (75) percent obtained for each portion ... journeyman plumber's license examination shall include a practical section
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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LouisianaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
MaineNot verified yetNot verified yetBoard examination: master passing grade cannot be below 75%; journeyman cannot be below 70%.
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The passing grade on a master plumber license examination may not be less than 75%. The passing grade on a journeyman plumber license examination may not be less than 70%.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
A license expires on the date set by the commissioner pursuant to Title 10, section 8003, subsection 4 for the licensing period for which the license was issued.
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A license expires on the date set by the commissioner pursuant to Title 10, section 8003, subsection 4 for the licensing period for which the license was issued.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
MarylandNot verified yetNot verified yetJourney and master applicants must pass a comprehensive written exam.
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Person must pass a comprehensive written examination.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
All licenses and certificates issued by the State Board of Plumbing expire TWO YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE.
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All licenses and certificates issued by the State Board of Plumbing expire TWO YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
MassachusettsNot verified yetNot verified yetMaster and journeyman applicants are examined on plumbing, house drainage, plumbing ventilation and gas fitting.
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They shall examine each applicant desiring to engage in the business of a master plumber or a journeyman plumber, as to his practical knowledge of plumbing, house drainage, plumbing ventilation, and gas fitting.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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MichiganNot verified yetNot verified yetJourney applicants must pass written and practical portions on one application. Master and contractor applicants must pass the applicable examination.
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Must pass both the written and hands on practical skills portions of the examination on a single application. ... Must pay the examination fee and pass the examination.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
You must renew every year by 4/30.
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Journey Plumber ... You must renew every year by 4/30.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
MinnesotaNot verified yetNot verified yetWritten exam required for journeyworker and master applicants.
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You must pass a written exam before you can apply for a journeyworker plumber license. ... You must pass a written exam before you can apply for a master plumber license.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Journeyworker and plumber licenses expire on Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years.
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Journeyworker and plumber licenses expire on Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
MississippiNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
MissouriNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
MontanaNot verified yetNot verified yetJourneyman: at least 70% on written and practical examinations.
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Passing score of 70% or better on written and practical examination.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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NebraskaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
NevadaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
New HampshireNot verified yetJourneyman apprenticeship route: at least 8,000 working hours of on-the-job plumbing experience.
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Have provided proof of completion of a minimum of 8,000 working hours of on-the-job experience in the trade relevant to plumbing as described in RSA 153:27, XIV
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Master: pass with at least 75%. Journeyman applicants using previous out-of-state licensure under Mec 305.01(b)(4): pass with at least 70%.
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Have passed the master plumber examination by answering at least 75% of the questions correctly. ... Passed the journeyman plumber examination by answering at least 70% of the questions correctly.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
shall expire every 2 years on the last day of the month the license was issued.
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individual fuel gas fitting, domestic appliance technician, hearth system installation and service technician, master plumber, and journeyman plumber licenses (“mechanical licenses”) shall expire every 2 years on the last day of the month the license was issued.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
New JerseyNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
New MexicoNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
New YorkNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
North CarolinaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
North DakotaNot verified yetNot verified yetJourneyman and master examinations; a six-month wait follows a failed examination.
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Yes, a plumber who has written and failed the exam will have to wait a six (6) month period before rewriting the exam.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
expires on the thirty-first day of December of the year in which it was issued.
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A certificate and license issued under the provisions of this chapter is valid for only one year and expires on the thirty-first day of December of the year in which it was issued.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
OhioNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
OklahomaNot verified yetNot verified yetPass the Oklahoma plumbing exam; contractors also pass Plumbing Business and Law. At least 75% is required on each part.
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All applicants are required to pass the Oklahoma Plumbing exam to gain licensure. In addition, Contractors must take and pass the Plumbing Business and Law exam.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
shall expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee each year.
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All licenses shall have a duration of no longer than one (1) year, and shall expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee each year.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Oregon$100.00
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License Fee Description Exemptions $100.00 None
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Journeyman alternatives: 576 classroom hours plus 3,850 lawful commercial and 3,850 lawful residential work hours; or 7,700 commercial and 7,700 residential hours while holding a license with similar scope. A registered apprenticeship/referral route is also available.
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(2) Verified proof of at least 576 hours of plumbing related classroom training in subjects listed in OAR 918-695-0030(2)(a); -and- verified proof of 3,850 hours lawful commercial AND 3,850 hours lawful residential on-the-job experience as an apprentice or journeyman plumber. - or - (3) Verified proof of 7,700 hours of lawful commercial and 7,700 hours of lawful residential on-the-job experience while holding a license with a similar scope of work to an Oregon journeyman plumber (individual installer license).
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Journeyman: four-hour, 64-question, open-book examination.
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4 hour, 64 question, open book.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
License renewal is every three years on April 1.
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License renewal is every three years on April 1.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
PennsylvaniaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
Rhode IslandNot verified yetJourneyperson: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training as a registered apprentice employed in Rhode Island, subject to the pre-1999 apprentice exception.
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During the whole of the eight thousand (8,000) hours of on the job training required by R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20-17(a)(2), the registered apprentice plumber must be employed as an apprentice plumber in the State of Rhode Island.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Master: pass the Director-approved written examination.
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Have satisfactorily passed a written examination approved by the Director.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
All renewals must be completed prior to the expiration date.
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Renewal term: 24 months Renewal period: All renewals must be completed prior to the expiration date.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
South Carolina$220.00
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License Fee $220
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Not verified yetResidential: technical and Business Management and Law examinations, subject to the listed technical-exam waivers.
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The Residential Plumber license may be obtained without the required technical portion of the examination if the applicant meets one of the requirements below. Work experience requirements and the Business Management and Law portion of the exam are still applicable.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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South DakotaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
TennesseeNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
TexasNot verified yetJourneyman: at least 8,000 hours in the plumbing trade.
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you have at least 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
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UtahNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
VermontNot verified yetNot verified yetJourneyman: successful completion of the examination and payment of the license fee.
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Upon successful completion of the examination and payment of a licensing fee, the applicant shall receive a journeyman plumber’s license
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
All licenses expire on the last day of a month designated by the Board.
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All licenses expire on the last day of a month designated by the Board. A license shall be valid for two years. The Board shall renew a valid license issued under this chapter on receipt of an application for renewal and the required fee before the expiration date of the license.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
VirginiaNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet
Washington$242.70
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$242.70 – Journey Level / Residential / Residential Service.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Not verified yetNot verified yetYour plumber certification renews on your birthdate every 3 years for journey level, residential, residential service, backflow, and domestic pump and pump and irrigation plumbers.
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Your plumber certification renews on your birthdate every 3 years for journey level, residential, residential service, backflow, and domestic pump and pump and irrigation plumbers.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
West Virginia$75.00
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How much is the initial certification? Master - $75.00 Journeyman - $75.00
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
Not verified yetJourneyman: written examination score of at least 70%.
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“Journeyman plumber” means a person qualified by passage of a journeyman plumber written examination with a score of at least 70 percent
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
The renewal date is listed on your certification card.
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The renewal date is listed on your certification card.
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
WisconsinNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetMarch 31st
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Journeyman Plumber | 4 | March 31st | 24 | $180 | $25 | $200
Official sourceVerified 2026-10-24
WyomingNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yetNot verified yet

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Last verified 2026-10-24.

Official sources (118)

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