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United States · Licensing exam

How to get your plumbing license

You register as an apprentice or trainee, work several years under licensed plumbers, then apply to your state (or city) and pass its exam. Those steps to get your plumbing license are the same everywhere covered here; the hours, exam and fees change by state. BLS says states and localities often ask for 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam before you work on your own.

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

Steps to get your plumbing license

  1. Find out who licenses plumbers where you'll work: a state board, and in places like New York City, the city.
  2. Register as an apprentice or trainee if your state asks. In Texas, hours only count after you register; Washington, Illinois and Iowa issue apprentice or trainee licenses too.
  3. Work under licensed plumbers and keep a record of every employer and your hours. Boards want them verified.
  4. Finish any required classes, such as Texas's 48-hour course for the journeyman exam.
  5. Apply to the board. Only after it approves you can you book the exam with its testing company.
  6. Pass the exam, then pay the license fee in time: within 90 days in Washington and 45 days in North Carolina, or you test again.
Who licenses plumbers in each state →How to become a plumbing apprentice →

Plumbing license requirements beyond the hours

WhereMinimum ageOther requirements
Texas16 to register as an apprenticeFingerprints, once
Washington16 for a trainee certificateNo unpaid L&I plumbing infractions
Illinois16 for an apprentice license2 years of high school or the equivalent and an approved course before the exam
Iowa18 for an apprentice licenseHigh school diploma or GED
California18Fingerprints and a $25,000 bond
North CarolinaNot statedA nationwide criminal background report
New York City18Read and write English; background investigation for masters

How long does it take to get a plumbing license?

Usually four to five years. BLS says most plumbers train through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid work a year. Texas and Washington want 8,000 hours for journeyman, Illinois and Iowa 4 years as an apprentice, and California 4 years at journey level for a contractor license. Shorter licenses exist: a Texas tradesman needs 4,000 hours, a Washington residential service certificate 4,000.

Journeyman plumbing exam by state →

Can you get a plumbing license with a felony?

You must disclose it, and the board decides. Texas asks for a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form, the Iowa board reviews felony convictions, and North Carolina asks for a statement on any charges or convictions. Ask the board before you start an apprenticeship if you're unsure.

Rules in your state

Pick your state for its exact hours, exam and fees. Some states add narrower licenses for residential work, such as Washington's residential certificate and Virginia's residential plumbing license, which allows no commercial work.

Texas →California →Washington →North Carolina →Illinois →New York City →Virginia →Iowa →
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics · TSBPE · Pearson VUE and 16 more. Checked October 2026.

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

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