Texas Plumbing License: How to Become a Certified Plumbing Professional

In Texas, obtaining a plumber’s license entails a multi-step procedure that takes four to five years. You’ll start as a plumbing apprentice. Then, as you get additional on-the-job experience and training and pass successively more challenging license exams, you can advance to licenses with higher ratings.

But it’s a talent that’s always in demand. You must be familiar with the licensing requirements and the environment if you are considering pursuing this career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employs 36,920 plumbers out of the 469,000 used nationwide. From 2021 to 2031, 9,100 more skilled professionals are expected to join the workforce.

The anticipated growth rate for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Texas is more than ten times higher at 22%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website. 

Plumbers, plumbers, and HVACR specialists are among the trained tradespeople that contractors need help finding. According to the Associated General Contractors of America’s 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 93% of companies in the United States and 93% of companies in Texas have open hourly craft positions. If you receive the required instruction, you ought to have a selection of employment to choose from when you’re ready.

To start working as an apprentice, you don’t need a high school diploma or a license, but you do need to register with the state. To eventually become a licensed master plumber, you will require your high school graduation or a General Educational Development certificate.

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Texas’s licensing standards for plumbers

Plumbers in Texas don’t need a license frequently.

The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act of Texas must be followed to offer plumbing services in the state legally. plumbers need help registering, certifying, or acquiring state licenses in Texas. Each 2,562 municipality maintains its license requirements for plumbers, plumbers, and HVAC specialists. 

Plumbing contractors must follow local zoning laws and professional standards. This article contains information on the licensing processes for Allentown, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia as examples because each city and county has unique local regulations for plumbers.

How do you know you are qualified to become a plumber?

To become a plumber, you must fulfill the following conditions:

You must meet the requirements listed below to be eligible: 

• Obtain a high school diploma or a GED, and be at least eighteen years old. 
• Maintain physical health
• Access to dependable transportation to and from work and school 
• Work independently and with others. Follow the rules.

Before beginning work as a plumber, you may need to fulfill additional criteria, depending on your state. How to apply for a license in Texas is explained in this article.

Steps to Get a plumbing license in Texas

You must fulfill all eligibility conditions, take and pass an exam, and pay the price for each license.

Registration of Apprentices

• You must be at least 16 years old to register.
• Procedures for registering:
• Send in a completed Plumbers Apprentice Registration Application.
• Pay a $15 charge.
• Submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form if you have been convicted of a crime.

Tradesman Plumbing Limited

Exam eligibility: 

You can qualify to take the test if:

• You have an apprentice registration in Texas or a Journeyman or Master Plumber license from another state.
• You have at least 4,000 hours of verified experience working as a plumber.
• You’ve finished a 24-hour course that has been approved for credit.
• Application procedures for exams:
• Apply for the Tradesman Plumber-Limited Examination in full and include all required paperwork.
• Present the Employer Certification Form.
• Pay the $36 charge.
• A Supplemental Criminal History Information Form must be submitted if you have been convicted of a felony.

Journalistic Plumbers

You are eligible to take the test if:

• You hold a Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber license issued by another state or are registered in Texas as an Apprentice Plumber or Tradesman Plumber-Limited.
• You have at least 8,000 verified hours of plumbing experience.
• You have finished a 48-hour course in training that has been authorized.
• Application procedures for exams:
• The Journeyman Plumber Examination application is fully completed, including all supporting papers.
• Present the Employer Certification Form.
• $40 is the fee.
• A Supplemental Criminal History Information Form must be submitted if you have been convicted of a felony.

Plumbing Master

Exam eligibility requirements:

• Your high school diploma or GED is in hand.
• You currently hold a Journeyman Plumber license in Texas or another state you have had for at least four years.
• You have a journeyman plumber license in Texas or another state that you have held for at least a year and have successfully finished an authorized training course.
• You had a Journeyman Plumber license for at least four years before obtaining your Master Plumber license from another state.
• You have already held a Journeyman Plumber license for at least a year, are licensed as a Master Plumber in another state, and you’ve completed an approved training course.
• Application procedures for exams:
• Including all required papers, submit a completed Master Plumber Examination Application.
• The $175 cost.
• A Supplemental Criminal History Information Form must be submitted if you have been convicted of a felony.

A Master Plumber license can also have a Responsible Master Plumber Designation attached. You are qualified to use the Responsible Master Plumber Designation if you are:

In Texas, if you have a Master Plumber license with the TSBPE, you are in excellent standing.

You will now have a completed 24-hour training program approved by the TSBPE and provided documentation demonstrating at least $300,000 in commercial liability insurance coverage.

Types of Texas plumbing Licenses

In Texas, plumbing licenses come in four different varieties. Each has a varied range of work permitted, requiring you to register as an apprentice initially.

Under the immediate supervision of a professional plumber, a plumber’s apprentice may learn about and assist in plumbing installation. Only physical procedures, like trench digging, are permitted if a licensed plumber is absent.

Tradesman Plumber

Work scope:

Under the guidance of a Responsible Master Plumber, the plumber is permitted to build, install, repair, service, or renovate the plumbing for one or two-family homes.

On construction sites for single-family or multi-family homes, may also directly supervise a plumber apprentice.

Under the review of a qualified Journeyman or Master Plumber, may work on job sites other than a one- or two-family home.

Journeyman

Work range:

Under the guidance of a Responsible Master Plumber, one may install, modify, repair, maintain, or upgrade plumbing.

Additionally, on all job sites, the direct supervision of a tradesman plumber-limited or an apprentice plumber is permitted for all constructions other than one- and two-family homes.

Master Plumber

Under the guidance of a Responsible Master Plumber, one may install, modify, repair, maintain, or upgrade plumbing.

Additionally, on all job sites, the direct supervision of a tradesman plumber-limited or an apprentice plumber is permitted for all constructions other than one- and two-family homes.

Plumbing Inspector

The inspector is associated with Examining plumbing work done in the jurisdiction.

Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Plumber in Texas

You must start as an apprentice to obtain a plumber’s license in Texas, and this procedure has many advantages:

• The promise of income increases as you pick up new talents allowing you to make money as you learn.
• You’ll get certifications that are accepted in the business and are portable.
• Not merely performing a job but starting a career.
• Eventually, you can start your own company and work for yourself.
• In the work market, having a license provides you with an advantage. 
• Your earning potential also rises as a result.