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United States · Licensing exam

How much does it cost to get a plumbing license?

The state fees are a few hundred dollars at most. In Texas, a journeyman license costs about $190 in state and exam fees, plus $39.05 for fingerprints. In Washington, the journey level exam costs $202.10 to apply plus $84 to PSI. North Carolina charges $150 per exam. Most of the real cost is training, and an apprenticeship pays you while you learn. This page covers what it costs to get licensed, not what a plumber charges for a job.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Texas fees as of October 2026

LicenseApplicationWritten exam (Pearson VUE)Practical examInitial license
Tradesman Plumber-Limited$36$68.50$36$35
Journeyman Plumber$40$68.50$40$40
Master Plumber$175$128.50None, written only$75

The written exam fee goes to Pearson VUE when you book. The application, practical and license fees go to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Every applicant also pays $39.05 to IdentoGO for a one-time fingerprint check.

If you fail the written exam, you pay the exam fee again for each new attempt. A Texas journeyman license renews for $40.

Washington fees as of October 2026

WhatPaid toFee
Exam application (journey level, residential and others)L&I$202.10 per exam
Three-part examPSI$84
Single parts, on a retestPSI$52
Temporary permit for out-of-state plumbersL&I$100.30

If you fail, you send L&I a new application and pay the $202.10 again before you can retest. After you pass, you have 90 days to pay the certification fee. That fee isn’t listed in the PSI bulletin, so check it with L&I.

North Carolina fees as of October 2026

The board charges $150 per exam, paid by check or money order with your application. You also pay a background check company for a nationwide criminal record report, and you must buy the code books on the board’s reference list before you test.

After you pass, you have 45 days to send the license activation form and fee. If you miss that, you have to test again.

Training is the big cost

Apprentices are paid. The United Association (UA), the plumbers’ union, describes its apprenticeship as earn-while-you-learn, with wages and benefits from day one and no student debt. Non-union apprenticeships run by contractors and associations work the same way, though some charge for classes or books.

Trade schools and community colleges charge tuition, and prices vary a lot. In North Carolina, approved schooling can count for up to half the experience you need. In Texas, 48 hours of approved classroom training is required for the journeyman exam unless you’re in a registered apprenticeship. Ask any school how its hours count toward your state’s license before you sign up.

Other things to budget for

  • The code book your exam is based on. North Carolina requires you to bring your own copies.
  • A silent, non-programmable calculator, if your state allows one
  • A prep course or app, if you want one. Many are free to download with paid upgrades.
  • The fee you lose if you miss your appointment or arrive late, since exam fees usually aren’t refunded

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Sources: TSBPE, TSBPE and Pearson VUE, Washington L&I and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.