Texas Plumbing License: How to Become a Certified Plumber in Texas

Do you need a license to be a plumber in Texas?

Yes, you need a license to be a plumber in Texas. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is in charge of licensing plumbers in Texas, and it’s responsible for issuing all licenses, endorsements, and registrations. 

Some trades in certain states allow experts to perform minimal work without a license, but that’s not the case for plumbers in Texas.

No license, no plumbing work.

That means no repairing leaky faucets or installing toilets. No remodeling houses and no plugging gas lines. You need a license to perform any of this work.

Brand-new plumbers start as apprentices, which doesn’t require a license. You don’t even need a high school diploma. However, you still must be registered with the state, and the state limits which tasks you can perform when a licensed plumber isn’t present.

For example, you won’t be able to install appliances or rework piping, but you’d be allowed to dig trenches. 

You’ll be eligible to get an official Texas plumber’s license once you obtain training and experience under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber. To reach the highest level of certification in Texas, you’ll need a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate—just keep that in mind as you move up the ranks.

Next, we’ll show you the entire plumber’s journey from apprentice to master (and even plumbing inspector).

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How do I get a plumbing license in Texas?

Plumbers in Texas must follow a rigid multi-step process starting from the ground up. Texas has 4 types of plumbing licenses, and each one lets you perform different types of work:

• Tradesman Plumber – Limited License
• Journeyman Plumber License
• Master Plumber License
• Plumbing Inspector License

All plumbers in Texas begin as Plumber’s Apprentices. As an apprentice, you’ll complete the required hours of experience and classroom training to get a Tradesman Plumber (limited license) or Journeyman Plumber license. From there, the license and requirements will vary depending on whether you want to pursue a Master Plumber License or Plumbing Inspector License.

To register as an apprentice, you must:  

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Be a U.S. citizen, or an alien or non-immigrant eligible for a license in Texas
• Submit a Plumber’s Apprentice Registration Application
• Pay a $15 fee
• If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you must submit a criminal history form

You’ll have to find an employer to sponsor your apprenticeship. They’ll be responsible for assigning you to work with a Responsible Master Plumber, who’ll instruct and give you opportunities to put your newfound knowledge to the test.

Plumbing License Types in Texas

Before we get into the licenses and their scope of work, let’s go over a few quick definitions:

Direct supervision means “that the Journeyman or Master is on the job site with you at all times as you are performing plumbing work.

Responsible Master Plumber isn’t just an opinion or personal distinction—it’s a designation you must receive by staying in good standing with TSBPE and obtaining at least $300,000 worth of commercial liability insurance coverage.

Tradesman Plumber-Limited License

Plumbers with a Tradesman Plumber-Limited license can build, install, repair, service, and renovate plumbing for 1- and 2-family units, but they must be under the supervision of a certified Responsible Master Plumber. Tradesman Plumbers can supervise apprentices on job sites (overseen by a Master Plumber). 

They can also assist Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers with other work on job sites beyond 1- or 2-family dwellings, but they can’t be in charge of the projects. 

Journeyman Plumber License

Journeyman Plumbers can install, repair, change, service, and renovate plumbing with the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber. They can supervise apprentices on any job site and supervise Tradesman Plumbers on job sites other than 1- or 2-family units.

Master Plumber License

As a Master Plumber, you’ll be certified to perform all plumbing work that doesn’t require additional endorsements and registrations. For example, you’ll be able to install, repair, service, and renovate plumbing on a job site, but you won’t be able to install or service residential fire sprinklers without the required endorsement.  

However, unless you’re a Responsible Master Plumber, you’ll still need supervision from a Responsible Master Plumber on any work you do. Master Plumbers may also supervise apprentices at any jobs and tradesman plumbers at 1- or 2- family units.

Plumbing Inspector License

Plumbing Inspectors inspect plumbing work performed within any jurisdiction where the inspector is affiliated. Inspectors don’t have the licensing to perform plumbing work.

Texas Plumbing Endorsements

Texas Master Plumbers, Journeyman Plumbers, and Plumbing Inspectors can obtain endorsements to perform additional work:

• Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement;
• Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement; and
• Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement

You must meet the eligibility requirements, pass an examination, and pay a fee to receive each of these endorsements. You must renew your endorsements once every 3 years, and the expiration date of your endorsement is automatically assigned to the experimentation date of your license.

Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement

Journeyman and Master Plumbers with this endorsement can install piping that’s used to transport gasses for medical purposes. A Responsible Master Plumber (who also holds this endorsement) must provide direct supervision for this work.

Plumbing Inspectors with a Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement can inspect medical gas vacuum piping installation.

Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement

Journeyman and Master Plumbers with the Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement can install multipurpose residential fire sprinklers systems in 1- or 2-family dwellings. A Responsible Master Plumber with this endorsement must provide supervision.

Plumbing Inspectors who hold this endorsement can inspect the installation of these sprinkler systems. 

Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement

Journeyman and Master Plumbers with the Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement can install, repair, and service plumbing used for treatment, distribution, and use of rainwater to supply a plumbing fixture, irrigation system, or appliance. A Responsible Master Plumber with this endorsement must provide supervision.

Journeyman and Master Plumbers with this endorsement can also perform customer service inspections for public drinking water systems.

Plumbing inspectors who hold this endorsement can inspect the plumbing installation for any of the work described above.

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Texas plumbing license requirements

Tradesman Plumber-Limited License requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, or an alien or non-immigrant eligible for a license in Texas
• Be registered as an Apprentice Plumber in Texas or a Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber in another state
• Complete 4,000+ hours of documented plumbing work
• Finish 24 hours of classroom training, or training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship
• Pass the Tradesman Plumber-Limited exam
  • Submit Tradesman Plumber-Limited Examination application and Employer’s Certification Form
  • If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you must submit a criminal history form
  • Pay $36 exam fee and $35 initial license fee

Journeyman Plumber License requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, or an alien or non-immigrant eligible for a license in Texas
• Be registered as a Plumbers Apprentice or Tradesman Plumber in Texas or be certified as Journeyman or Master Plumber in another state
• Complete 8,000+ hours of documented plumbing work
• Finish 48 hours of classroom training, or training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship
• Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam
  • Submit the Journeyman Plumber Examination application and Employer Certification Form
  • If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you must submit a criminal history form
  • Pay $40 exam fee and $40 initial license fee

Master Plumber License requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, or an alien or non-immigrant eligible for a license in Texas
• Be licensed as a Journeyman Plumber in Texas or another state for at least 4 years
• Be licensed as a Journeyman Plumber in Texas or another state for at least 1 year and complete an approved training program
• Be licensed as a Master Plumber in another state and have held a Journeyman Plumber License for at least 4 years
• Be licensed as a Master Plumber in another state and have held a Journeyman Plumber License for at least 1 year and complete an approved training program
• Pass the Master Plumber exam
  • Submit the Master Plumber Examination Application
  • If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you must submit a criminal history form
  • Pay $75 initial license fee (no cost for exam) 

Responsible Master Plumber License requirements

• Be licensed as a Master Plumber in Texas
• Be in good standing with the TSBPE
• Show proof of $300,000 coverage for commercial liability insurance
• Pay $225 initial application fee

Plumbing Inspector License requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, or an alien or non-immigrant eligible for a license in Texas
• Obtain a high school diploma or GED
• Complete 500 hours of training and experience in the plumbing industry or have one of the following licenses:
  • Master Plumber in Texas
  • Journeyman Plumber in Texas
  • Professional Engineer in Texas
  • Architect in Texas
  • Plumbing Inspector in another state with “substantially equivalent” licensing requirements to the TSBPE
• Pass the Plumbing Inspector exam
  • Submit a Plumbing Inspector Examination Application and Plumbing Inspector Employer Certification Form
  • If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you must submit a criminal history form
  • Pay $55 exam fee and $55 initial license fee

How much does it cost to get a plumber license in Texas?

Obtaining a plumbers license in Texas isn’t too expensive, but you’ll need to stay on top of your costs to stay registered in the state. Here are the costs you can expect depending on your type of license:

Plumbers Apprentice:

• $15 registration fee
• $15 renewal fee

Tradesman Plumber-Limited:

• $36 exam fee
• $35 initial license fee
• $35 renewal fee
• $17.50 late renewal fee (expired less than 90 days) 
• $35 late Renewal Fee (expired more than 90 days)

Journeyman Plumber:

• $40 exam fee
• $40 initial license fee
• $40 renewal fee
• $20 late renewal fee (expired less than 90 days) 
• $40 late Renewal Fee (expired more than 90 days)

Master Plumber:

• $175 exam fee
• $75 initial license fee
• $75 renewal fee
• $37.50 late renewal fee (expired less than 90 days) 
• $75 late Renewal Fee (expired more than 90 days)

Responsible Master Plumber Designation:

• $225 initial application fee
• $300 renewal fee
• $150 late renewal fee (expired less than 90 days) 
• $300 late Renewal Fee (expired more than 90 days)

Plumbing Inspector:

• $55 exam fee
• $55 initial license fee
• $55 renewal fee
• $27.50 late renewal fee (expired less than 90 days) 
• $55 late Renewal Fee (expired more than 90 days)

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Do I need to renew my plumber license?

Yes, you need to renew your Texas plumber’s license. Each license needs to be renewed annually. Your first license will have a random expiration date between 6 to 18 months after passing your licensure exam (except for Plumbing Inspectors).

All texas plumbers must complete 6 hours of continuing professional education to renew their licenses.

You can renew your license online within 2 months of its expiration or if it has expired for 275 days or less. Follow the TSBPE’s step-by-step instructions here.

If you don’t want to submit any of your applications online and would prefer a paper copy, you can find all of the TSBPE’s forms here.

What happens if my plumber license expires?

You can’t renew a license that has expired for more than 2 years. At this point, you must reinstate it—and that’s equivalent to “you never held that license or registration at all” in the eyes of the TSBPE. You must start over as a Plumber’s Apprentice and advance through the ranks again.

Missing smaller deadlines has less severe penalties. You will have to pay a late-renewal fee when you send in your application, and you won’t be able to perform any plumbing work during your unlicensed period.

Requirements for business owners

Are you interested in starting a plumbing business? There are a few more activities to consider after you’ve earned your license in Texas. Only those with a Responsible Master Plumbers license will be able to operate a plumbing business.

One of the most important decisions to make is your business’ structure—LLC, proprietorship, or partnership. Once you’ve landed on the structure, you can turn your attention to picking a name and registering your business with your local government or license-issuing governing body.

You’ll need to meet the following requirements to start your business:

• Get the necessary insurance: All businesses need insurance, whether it’s general or commercial liability, worker’s compensation, or commercial automobile insurance. There are different rules for what kind and how much coverage you need, but in order to become a Responsible Master Plumber in Texas, for example, you’re required to show proof of $300,000 in commercial liability insurance.
• Obtain the necessary permits: Required permits are often specific to the jurisdiction in which your business operates. Check with your local Building and Codes office to determine the permits you’ll need.

To purchase the necessary tools, equipment, and insurance for your plumbing business, you can expect to pay around $10,000 to get started. Check with your local government or respective license-issuing governing body for grants and subsidies to support these initial expenses. You can also apply for a small business loan.

Does plumber certification in Texas increase your earning potential?

Curious if getting a plumber’s certification in Texas is worth your time? Guess no longer. Check out our plumber salary guide to find exactly what you could be making across the country with different levels of experience and licensing.

According to our data, Apprentice Plumbers make an average of $36,526 per year while Journeyman Plumbers make $56,054—that’s a 53% wage increase.

We’ve compiled up-to-date salary data organized by state, experience, and job title to help you see your earning potential, regardless of the project or where you’re working in the country.

Not sure what you should be asking for as a Master Plumber in Texas? Curious if you could be making more in New Mexico? Find answers to all your questions in our Plumber Salary Guide.

Originally published July 22, 2022. Last Updated October 4, 2024.