Plumber · Licensing by state

How to become a plumber

From state licensing boards and the U.S. Department of Labor · Last reviewed October 10, 2026

Plumber licensing by state

"n/a" means the state has no such statewide figure, or states it another way (years, or by local license). "No" exam can mean the state licenses only contractors. Each state page has the details and sources; the reciprocity map shows which states.

The usual license ladder

1. Apprentice

   You work for pay under experienced plumbers while taking classes. A typical apprenticeship lasts 4 or 5 years, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year. [1]

2. Journeyman (journey-level plumber)

   You finish an apprenticeship and pass the required licensing exam. Journey-level plumbers can work on their own. [1]

3. Master plumber

   Plumbers with several years of experience who pass another exam earn master status. [1]

4. Plumbing contractor

   Running your own business may require more licensing. Some states require master plumber status to get a plumbing contractor's license. [1]

Pay and job outlook

What plumbers do

Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and other piping systems in homes, businesses, and factories. They install fixtures such as bathtubs and toilets and appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters, clear drains, and repair or replace broken pipes. Plumbers also help maintain septic systems.

Related trades are pipefitters and steamfitters (often just called fitters), who mostly work on pipe systems in factories, power plants, and large commercial buildings. The BLS counts all three together in its pay and job figures.

Most plumbers work full time, including nights and weekends, and they are often on call for emergencies. About 65% work for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors, and about 8% are self-employed. [1]

The usual path: apprenticeship

Most plumbers learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship: a paid job plus classroom instruction. Apprentices typically get 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year. Classes cover safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, blueprint reading, math, applied physics, and chemistry.

You typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some people attend a vocational-technical school first. Most apprentices enter a program directly, but some start as helpers or finish a pre-apprenticeship program first. [1]

Registered apprenticeships

A registered apprenticeship is a program "approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency." The Department of Labor describes it as paid work experience with a mentor, "progressive wage increases," classroom instruction, and "a portable, nationally-recognized credential."

To find openings, search the Apprenticeship Job Finder on Apprenticeship.gov and apply directly with the employer or program sponsor. [2][3]

Union and non-union routes

Plumbing apprenticeships are sponsored by unions, trade associations, and businesses. How the union and non-union (open-shop) routes compare: union vs. non-union. [1]

Licensing: it depends on your state

Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed. Requirements vary, but states and localities often require 2 to 5 years of experience and a passing exam before you can work on your own. The usual ladder is apprentice, journeyman, master, and contractor, though the names and hours differ by state.

Some states also license pipefitters and steamfitters, and some require a special license to work on gas lines. Contact your state's licensing board for its rules, or pick your state from the list on this page. For example: Texas plumber license.

Moving with a license? See license reciprocity. The difference between the top two levels is explained in journeyman vs. master. [1]

Plumbing codes: IPC and UPC

Plumbers follow state and local building codes, so which code you work under depends on where you work. Two published codes you will hear about are the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and the International Plumbing Code (IPC), published by the International Code Council.

Texas law, for example, has its plumbing board adopt both codes and lets cities amend them for local concerns, as long as the changes don't substantially vary from state rules. Apprenticeship classes cover local plumbing codes and regulations. [1][4]

Pay and job outlook

The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $63,800 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,150 and the highest 10% more than $108,420. Median pay was $71,660 in government, $65,770 in manufacturing, and $63,010 at plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors. Apprentices earn less, and their pay rises as they learn more.

The BLS projects employment to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average. Demand comes from new construction and from maintaining and repairing plumbing in existing buildings. [1]

Questions people ask