In Texas, obtaining a plumber’s license is a multi-step procedure that takes four years. You’ll start as a plumbing apprentice. Then, as you get additional on-the-site experience education and pass more difficult license examinations, you can advance to more excellent qualifications.
Even if you do not have a high school degree, you can still start as an apprentice, but you must enroll with the administration. To become a licensed master plumber, you’ll need a high school diploma or a General Educational Development certificate.
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Texas’s Plumbing Licensing Requirements
Is a plumber’s license necessary in Texas? Yes.
The Texas Governmental Board of Plumbing Examiners is the state entity regulating plumbers in Texas, issuing permits, certifications, and licenses.
In Texas, doing essential maintenance without a license is unlawful.
Types of plumbing licenses in Texas
In Texas, there are four different categories of plumbing licenses. Each requires you to enroll as an apprentice, and each permits you to operate in various areas.
Apprentice
Under the direct supervision of a professional plumber, a plumber’s apprentice can learn about and assist in plumbing installation.
Tradesman
An apprentice can handle minimal digging tasks if a licensed tradesman plumber is absent.
Under the strict guidance and instructions of a Master Plumber, may build, operate, fix, maintain, or upgrade plumbing for one and multiple residences.
A Plumbers Apprentice may be directly supervised on project sites for one or two-family residences.
With the help of a qualified Journeyman or Master Plumber, may work on job sites other than a one- or two-family house.
Journeyman
Work’s scope:
May configure, modify, fix, adjust, or redevelop plumbing
to the extent permitted by a master plumber.
A Plumbers Apprentice may be directly supervised on all project sites and a Tradesman Plumber-Limited for constructions other than one or two-family houses.
Master
May install, modify, repair, service, or upgrade the plumbing.
On all project sites, a Plumbers Apprentice may be managed and supervised, as well as a Tradesman Plumber-Limited for constructions other than one or two-family houses.
Inspector of Plumbing
Plumbing work conducted within the jurisdiction the inspector is linked is subject to inspection.
Steps to Obtaining Each type of Texas Plumber’s License
You must fulfill all qualifying criteria, take a test, and pay a fee for each license.
Registration of Apprentices
Eligibility: If you are at least 16 years old, you may register.
To register, follow these steps:
- Please fill out the Plumbers Apprentice Registration Application Form and send it in.
- Payment of a $15 charge
- Submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form if you have been convicted of a crime.
Journeyman Plumber
Eligibility: If you are certified as a Plumber’s Apprentice, licensed as a Tradesman Plumber-Limited in Texas, or have a Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber license from some other state, you are qualified to take the test.
You’ve worked in the plumbing industry for at least 8,000 hours.
You’ve finished a 48-hour training course that has been approved.
To apply for an exam, follow these steps:
- Complete the Journeyman Plumber Examination application and attach all supporting papers.
- Fill up and submit the Employer Certification Form.
- Payment of a $40 charge
- Submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form if you have been convicted of a crime.
Plumber Master
Eligibility:
You have completed high school and gained a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
You hold a Journeyman Plumber license in Texas or another state that you have held for at least four years.
You have a Journeyman Plumber license in Texas or another state that you have held for one year and have successfully done an approved training program.
You have a Master Plumber license from another state and have worked as a Journeyman Plumber for at least four years.
You hold a Master Plumber license in another state, have worked as a Journeyman Plumber for a complete duration of one year, and have gone through an authorized training program.
To apply for an exam, follow these steps:
- Complete the Master Plumber Examination Application and attach all supporting papers.
- Pay a charge of $175
- Submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form if you have been convicted of a crime.
A Master Plumber license can also be upgraded to use a Responsible Master Plumber Designation. If you fulfill the given eligibility criteria, you may pertain for the Responsible Master Plumber Designation:
- You are currently licensed as a Master Plumber
- in Texas, and the TSBPE has you in excellent standing.
- You’ve finished a TSBPE-approved 24-hour training course and
- You’ve provided confirmation that you’ve purchased business liability insurance worth at least $300,000.
Inspector of Plumbing
You can confidently take the test if you meet the following criteria:
You hold a high school diploma or a GED certificate
, and you have 500 hours of plumbing instruction and experience under your belt.
OR you already have a license as a Master Plumber, a journeyman plumber, or Texas Professional Engineer.
Alternatively, you may be a Plumbing Inspector in another state with similar licensure requirements.
To apply for an exam, follow these steps:
- Complete the Plumbing Inspector Examination Application and attach all supporting papers.
- Employment Accreditation Form for Plumbing Inspectors
- The fee of $55 to be paid
- Complete a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form if you have been found guilty of a crime.
What Is the Average Plumber Salary in Texas?
According to indeed.com, the pay for a plumber in Texas rises as you gain expertise.
Apprentice: In Texas, an apprentice plumber earns a median of $16.31 per hour and $5,423 in extra annually.
Journeyman: In Texas, a journeyman plumber earns an average of $25.09 per hour and $10,331 in overtime per year.
According to Salary.com, the average licensed plumber income in Kentucky is $56,900 as of November 25, 2020, according to Salary.com, with a range of $49,500 to $65,100. Salary scopes vary greatly based on the area and various other essential aspects such as education, certifications, supplementary talents, and the length of time you’ve worked in your field.
How much should you spend to get a plumber’s license in Texas?
Apprentice Plumbers
The registration fee is $15.
Initial License Fee $35 Tradesman Plumber-Limited Exam Fee $36
Fee for Renewal: $35
The initial license price for a journeyman plumber is $40.
Fee for Renewal: $40
Plumber Master
The exam costs $175.
$75 for the first license.
Fee for Renewal $75
Inspector of Plumbing
$55 for the exam
$55 for the first license
Fee for Renewal: $55
Master Plumber Designation with Responsibilities
$345 for the initial application
Fee for Renewal: $420
Texas plumbing insurance
All master plumbers must provide a valid certificate of insurance to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Plumbers must have liability coverage with a minimum range of $300,000 for asset loss or injury claims during a one-year timeframe.
Details on the Texas Plumbing Licensing Exam
The Journeyman exam, according to tests.com, includes 90 multiple-choice questions, practical learning at shop work, and an infrastructure design for a two-story drainage and vent system.
There are 210 multiple choice questions on the Master exam, as well as one fuel gas pipe sizing chart, one water pipe sizing chart, one gas-fueled appliance vent sizing chart, one drainage system pipe sizing chart, and the design of a three-story sanitary drainage and vent system for sixteen plumbing fixtures.
Reciprocity of Texas Plumbers’ Licenses
In Texas, reciprocity is assessed case-by-case basis for plumbers’ licenses. If you have a valid journeyman or master plumber license in another state, you must send a written form on official letterhead from that state’s licensing body to TSBPE. The letter must state how long the license has been maintained and valid and whether the applicant has received any objections or disciplinary proceedings.
Texas Plumbing Certifications
Other credentials might help you show potential employers and clients that you’re capable. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC) and other relevant authorities such as the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Qualifications) and other professional certifications are not essential. Still, they can help you stand out to potential employers and boost your marketability.
Other Texas-specific requirements
Texas requires you to successfully go through and practically learn in six hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) before renewing your state-issued license and certifications, except for the Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement, which needs at least two hours of CPE for renewals.
