Plumber / Texas
2026 data Texas board official source

Texas Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Texas data shows for Plumbers

To practice as a plumber in Texas, the state licensing board requires 6,108 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Texas's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $172 to get started, plus $146 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, plumbers should know: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
18/100
Plumber · Texas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
6,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$172
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$146/yr
$146 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
6,108 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$172
Renewal Fee
$146
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All Texas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Texas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Texas? ▼
Texas's requirements cover 6108 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $172. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Texas? ▼
Texas licenses plumbers who complete its requirements (6108 education hours, 4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Texas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Texas from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for plumbers nationally works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Texas. Verify the specifics with the Texas licensing board.
Does Texas require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the plumber licensing process in Texas. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Texas? ▼
To stay licensed as a plumber in Texas, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $146.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in Texas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Texas's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Texas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Texas overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Texas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.