Are you looking to become a plumber in Texas? Getting licensed is an important step. In this post, we’ll review the Texas plumbing license requirements. We’ll let you know how many hours of experience you’ll need. And, we’ll clarify what it means to become a master plumber in the State of Texas.
Table of Contents
Do You Need a License to Practice Plumbing?
First, is it mandatory to get a plumbing license in the State of Texas? According to current Lone Star State laws, the answer is yes. Anyone hired to do electrical, HVAC, or plumbing work needs a license. Licenses are regulated at the state level. To get a license, plumbers must win approval. This comes from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
What Kinds of Licenses Are There?
In Texas, plumbers may apply for two kinds of licenses. The first is a Journeyman Plumber license. The second is a Master Plumber license. These licenses come with different requirements. They also allow for different kinds of plumbing experience.
- With a Journeyman Plumber license, you’re qualified to do almost any kind of plumbing. The catch is that a Journeyman must work under the supervision of a Master Plumber.
- A Master Plumber can do any kind of plumbing work, independently. This includes water supply, sanitary drainage, and natural gas piping.
How to Become a Journeyman Plumber
Getting a Journeyman license is the first step toward becoming a Master Plumber. Here are the requirements, according to the Texas State Board.
- You must have an apprentice registration or a Journeyman license from another state.
- You must have 8,000 hours of experience working under the guidance of a seasoned plumber.
- You must have a high school diploma or a GED.
- You must have proof of U.S. citizenship. Or, you can provide proof that you are a legal alien.
If you follow these requests, you may sit for the plumber exam. Successful completion of this exam will qualify you as a Journeyman.
How to Become a Master Plumber
The next step up is Master Plumber status. There are a few requirements for getting a master-level plumbing license:
- You must have a Journeyman license and maintain it for at least one year. Or, you can have a Master license from a state other than Texas.
- You must have a high school diploma or a GED.
- You must have proof of U.S. citizenship. Or, you can provide proof that you are a legal alien.
If you follow these stipulations, you may sit for the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Do You Have to Take an Exam?
Getting your license for plumbing will require you to pass an exam. This is true even if you are already licensed in another state. That’s because the exam mostly covers state-specific laws and codes. Your experience in another state won’t necessarily translate.
The exam is administered by the Board within the Lone Star State. You can apply by contacting them directly. When you do so, they will let you know which reference materials you need. It’s wise to get these references and brush up on them before the exam. You’ll need to know your codes to become a licensed plumber.
Also note that there are state-approved training courses. These can be valuable for meeting the requirements to get your plumber license. Journeymen plumbers can especially benefit. Plumbers from another state will also find value in the training courses.
Become a Plumber in the State of TX
If you have an interest in plumbing, state licensing is an important step forward. Completing license requirements is how plumbers can find good, paying work. As you look to pass the plumbing license requirements in the state, get an apprenticeship. This is an important foundation.
Once you complete the licensing requirements, get a patch to display your credentials. Many plumbers in the Lone Star State do this. It’s a good way to show that you’re a state recognized professional. Also make sure you get listed in state plumber directories.
