United States · Licensing exam
Most plumbers learn on the job, through an apprenticeship that pays you while you work toward your hours. Schools and community colleges can help too, and some states count part of that schooling toward your hours. For the exam itself, start with your state’s free handbook and the code edition it names. Some cities license plumbers separately from the state, so check locally too. We checked each option’s price and what’s free in October 2026.
The handbook lists every Texas plumbing exam with its question count, time, fee and the 70% pass mark. The journeyman review course explains what the practical involves and has sample questions for each code chapter.
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Shows each Washington plumbing exam with its number of items, time, pass mark and whether it’s open or closed book. It also covers fees, ID rules, calculators and retakes.
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North Carolina’s exams are open book, so the book list matters. It names every code book you need for each license and the rules for tabbing them. The board also sells its laws and rules book and business book.
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Useful if your state uses the UPC, as Washington does. Make sure you read the same edition your exam is based on, with any state amendments.
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A registered apprenticeship can count toward your license in many states. In Texas it replaces the 48-hour classroom training needed for the journeyman exam.
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Rated 4.6 from 160 ratings on the App Store. Practice tests and a mock test for state journeyman written exams. It isn’t tied to one state’s code edition, so use it alongside your code book.
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Rated 4.7 from 59 ratings on the App Store. Around 1,000 practice questions, timed tests and progress tracking.
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The UA is the union for plumbers and pipefitters. Its apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom training and leave you with no student debt. You apply through a local union.
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If you aren’t in a registered apprenticeship, Texas requires 48 hours of approved training before the journeyman exam, including OSHA 10-Hour and code courses. Only courses from a TSBPE-approved provider count.
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Schooling can count toward your hours in some states. North Carolina counts approved college credit for up to half the experience you need. Ask how a program’s hours count in your state before you enroll.
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Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.