Oklahoma Plumbing License: How to Become a Certified Plumber in OK

Do you need a plumbing license in Oklahoma?

Yes, the state of Oklahoma requires many skilled trades, including plumbers, to get a license before taking on any projects. With this license, you can perform plumbing installation, maintenance, and repair work on the following: 

• Piping, fixtures, and appliances involved in the supply of water
• Sanitary and stormwater drainage systems and components
• Wastewater and liquid waste disposal systems
• Piping for radiant-floor heating

Who issues plumbing licenses in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, plumbing licenses are issued by the Construction Industries Board (CIB). The board regulates a variety of trades, including plumbers, electricians, home and building inspectors, mechanical tradespeople, and roofers, to ensure they are qualified to provide services in accordance with the latest industry standards and best practices.

The CIB has a stated mission to “protect life and property by licensing and inspection of the related trades for the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”

Types of plumbing licenses in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma CIB separates the path from apprentice to master plumber into four different license/registration types:

License/Registration Type	Description
Apprenticeship Plumber	Registration holder can learn about and assist with the installation of plumbing systems under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or plumbing contractor.
Journeyman Plumber	A license holder can install, alter, repair, and renovate residential and commercial plumbing systems. A journeyman plumber can also supervise up to 3 apprentices at a time.
Residential Journeyman Plumber	A license holder can install, alter, repair, and renovate residential plumbing systems exclusively—1- or 2-family dwellings no higher than 3 stories.
Plumbing Contractor (Master Plumber)	A license holder can plan, oversee, and install plumbing systems as either an individual or a legal business entity.
Residential Plumbing Contractor (Master Plumber)	A license holder can plan, oversee, and install residential plumbing systems exclusively as an individual or a legal business entity, 1- or 2-family dwellings no higher than 3 stories.

Benefits of getting an Oklahoma plumbing license

Obtaining your plumbing license in Oklahoma offers several benefits, starting with the ability to legally work and earn a living as a contractor in the state. Other benefits include:

• Increase your earning potential as you gain more experience
• Start and run your own plumbing business, including project bidding, pulling permits, and passing inspections
• Showcase your skills as a plumber and be more appealing to employers
• Build trust with your clients

Oklahoma plumbing license requirements

In order to progress through each stage of the plumbing license and registration process, you need to meet all the requirements defined by the CIB. These requirements apply to each of the licensing stages—apprentice, journeyman, and plumbing contractor.

Plumbing Apprentice

You must be at least 16 years old in order to register for an apprenticeship.

To complete your apprenticeship, you’ll need to work under a licensed journeyman or plumbing contractor before you can qualify for a journeyman plumber exam.

Journeyman Plumber / Residential Journeyman Plumber

After working three years as a plumbing apprentice, you’ll have the necessary experience and qualifications to get your journeyman license.

You can also qualify for your journeyman plumbing license if you have three years of plumbing experience through the military or an active license from another state in good standing.

All applicants must complete an application and pass the Journeyman Plumber exam with a score of 75% or higher.

You can substitute schooling/training for partial experience with an associate degree or vocational diploma from a program with:

• At least 1,000 classroom instruction hours = 2 years of experience
• At least 500 classroom instruction hours = 1 year of experience
• At least 375 classroom instruction hours = 9 months of experience
• At least 334 classroom instruction hours = 8 months of experience
• At least 250 classroom instruction hours = 6 months of experience

Plumbing Contractor / Residential Plumbing Contractor

To qualify for your plumbing contractor license, you need to work for one more year as a journeyman plumber under the supervision of another contractor.

You’ll also have to fill out a plumbing contractor license application and pass the Plumbing Contractor exam and Business & Law exams with a score of 75% or better. 

To become a fully-licensed plumbing contractor, you’ll also be required to carry a $5,000 surety bond and show proof of $50,000 in general liability insurance.

There is an opportunity to waive the bond and insurance requirements through the plumbing contractor affidavit.

How do I get a plumbing license in Oklahoma?

From apprenticeship to full plumbing contractor, you can expect the licensing process to take at least four years. Here’s everything you need to do to complete the plumbing license path in Oklahoma. 

Plumbing Apprentice

To get your plumbing apprentice license, find a licensed plumbing contractor to work under as an apprentice and submit the apprentice registration form.

Journeyman Plumber / Residential Journeyman Plumber

To get your journeyman plumber’s license, you’ll need to complete at least three years of experience working under a licensed plumbing contractor or through one of the following avenues:

• Three years of equivalent experience working in the plumbing trade through the military
• A verifiable out-of-state plumbing license that’s in good standing

Once you’ve satisfied the experience requirements, fill out the journeyman plumber application and pass the Journeyman Plumber exam with a score of at least 75%.

Plumbing Contractor / Residential Plumbing Contractor

To get your plumbing contractor license, you’ll need to work (as a journeyman plumber) under a fully licensed contractor for at least one additional year. 

Then, fill out the plumbing contractor license application and pass both the Plumbing Contractor and Business & Law exams with a score of at least 75%.

To maintain your plumbing contractor license, you’ll have to meet the Active Contractor Requirements, which include:

• Carrying a $5,000 Corporate Surety Bond payable to the CIB and
• Providing proof of at least $50,000 in commercial general liability coverage or
• Completing and notarizing the plumbing contractor affidavit to waive the bond and insurance requirements

All forms and applications can be sent to the CIB at the following address: 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 2F
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Oklahoma plumbing license exam

All trade and contractor exams in Oklahoma are administered by the state’s testing vendor, PSI. This includes the exams required to get your journeyman and plumbing contractor license. 

Here’s what you need to know about each of the exams:

Exam	Details	Topics
Business & Law Exam	50 questions 2 hours to write 75% required to pass	• Bidding and estimating • Project management and supervision  • Contracts  • Financial  • Labor and personnel • Risk management • Payroll and taxes  • Licensing requirements
Journeyman Plumber Exam	85 questions 3 hours to write 75% required to pass	• General plumbing knowledge and regulations  • Piping, valves, and control valves • Fixtures and equipment  • Water supply • Drains and sewers • Vents • Traps, interceptors, indirect, and special waste • Isometric analysis • Fuel gas  • Safety
Plumbing Contractor Exam	85 questions 3 hours to write 75% required to pass	• General plumbing knowledge and regulations  • Piping, valves, and control valves • Fixtures and equipment  • Water supply • Drains and sewers • Vents • Traps, interceptors, indirect, and special waste • Isometric analysis • Fuel gas  • Safety

For more information on the plumbing trade and business exams in Oklahoma, check out PSI’s candidate information bulletin.

Does my Oklahoma plumbing license work in any other states?

Reciprocity agreements allow license holders from out of state to apply directly for an equivalent license in another state. 

While Oklahoma doesn’t have any reciprocal licenses for specific states, the CIB will review current out-of-state licenses that are in good standing and, if they’re similar enough, may waive the exam requirement.

How long does it take to get a plumbing license in Oklahoma?

It will take a minimum of 3 years to get your Oklahoma plumbing license—the time it takes to complete your apprenticeship and qualify for your journeyman plumber exam. Even with the ability to substitute work experience with classroom training, you can’t go from apprentice to plumbing journeyman any quicker than 3 years.

From there, it will take another year working as a journeyman plumber to qualify for your plumbing contractor license.

Plumbing training programs and schools in Oklahoma

There are many educational opportunities to become a plumber in Oklahoma. These include apprenticeships and plumbing trade schools.

For starters, you can substitute up to 2 years of work experience on your way to a journeyman license if you complete a plumbing education program. The CBI provides a helpful list of all the approved programs in the state and the number of hours you’re eligible to substitute.

For plumbing trade schools, there are a handful of viable options in the state:

• Central Tech
• Chickasaw Institute of Technology
• Mid-Del Tech Center
• Oklahoma Technical College
• Tulsa Tech

How much is a plumbing license in Oklahoma?

To get your full plumbing contractor license in Oklahoma, you can expect to pay about $750. Here’s a breakdown of the fees involved with each step of the licensing journey:

Licensing Stage	Fees
Apprentice plumber application	$25
Journeyman plumber application	$75
Plumbing contractor application	$330
Exams	$92 per exam
Apprentice renewal	$25
Journeyman renewal (late)	$75 ($100)
Plumbing contractor renewal (late)	$200($300)

Keep in mind that to maintain an active contracting license, you need a $5,000 bond and $50,000 in insurance coverage.

Oklahoma plumbing license renewal

All plumbing licenses and registrations in Oklahoma must be renewed through the CIB annually. Apprentices renew their registration through the initial application form, while journeymen and plumbing contractors use the renewal application form. 

All journeymen and plumbing contractors must accrue at least six hours of continuing education from an approved provider every three years.

What happens if my plumbing license expires? 

If you think your plumbing license may have expired, stop all work immediately. Otherwise, you can face administrative fines between $200 and $1,000, license suspension, and even misdemeanor charges. 

You then need to complete the appropriate renewal form and ensure you’ve paid any applicable late fees.

How to start a plumbing business in Oklahoma

Once you’ve built up your expertise as an Oklahoma plumbing contractor, you’re ready to take the next step in your career: starting your own business. 

The state’s Department of Commerce website has a section dedicated to helping plumbers start a business. It includes information on key administrative steps, such as: 

• Choosing a legal structure and business name
• Registering your business with the Secretary of State’s office
• Getting your Federal Tax ID Number
• Securing the necessary state and local permits

There are other practical steps to starting a plumbing business, including:

• Setting plumbing business goals.
• Writing a business plan.
• Getting business financing.
• Investing in the right plumbing apps and equipment.
• Pricing your plumbing services.
• Advertising your plumbing business.
• Hiring technicians and growing your business.

To learn more about getting a business up and running, check out our guide to starting a plumbing business.

How much do plumbers get paid in Oklahoma?

The average plumber’s salary in Oklahoma is $58,369, with room to grow as you gain more experience. The top 25% of plumbing salaries in Oklahoma exceed $66,900, while the top 10% earn more than $83,000.

That number could grow even higher if you start and run your own plumbing business.

If you want to find out more about your earning potential in a thriving industry, check out the Essential Plumber Salary Guide.