How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Texas
So, you’re Thinking about how to become a plumber in Texas? Excellent choice. With extreme temperatures, an expanding housing market, and booming commercial growth, plumbers are more essential than ever across the Lone Star State.
This guide walks you through every step of the journey - backed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)1, the U.S. Department of Labor2, and real-world insight from working tradespeople.
Quick answers
At a glance
- Licensing: Texas requires plumbers to be licensed or registered with the TSBPE.
- Apprentice registration: a small TSBPE fee covers 2 years - see the current fee schedule.
- Training options: On-the-job training is common; trade school is optional.
- Required hours: Tradesman 4,000 hrs; Journeyman 8,000 hrs; Master 8,000 hrs as Journeyman + exam pass.
- Cost: varies widely - optional trade school tuition is the main driver, and the apprenticeship route keeps out-of-pocket costs low.
FAQs
Do you need a license to be a plumber in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires all plumbers to be licensed or registered with the TSBPE.
What is the first step to work as a plumber in Texas?
Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE - a small fee covers a 2-year registration (see the TSBPE fee schedule for the current amount) - and you must work under a licensed plumber at all times.
How many hours are required for a Texas plumbing license?
Tradesman Plumber requires 4,000 hrs of supervised work experience, and Journeyman Plumber requires 8,000 hrs. Master Plumber requires 8,000 hrs as Journeyman + exam pass.
How long does plumber in Texas training take?
It typically takes 4-5 years to accumulate the work experience for Journeyman or Master-level licensing.
What does it cost to work as a plumber in Texas?
It varies widely, and optional trade school is the main driver - the apprenticeship route with paid on-the-job training keeps out-of-pocket costs low, while tuition differs by program. State registration, exam and license fees are minor by comparison; see the TSBPE’s current fee schedule.
Who administers the Texas plumbing exam?
Exams are administered through third-party providers like PSI.
Do You Need a License to Be a Plumber in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires all plumbers to be licensed or registered with the TSBPE - whether you’re an apprentice just getting started or a Master Plumber running your own company.
| License Type | Description | Regulated By |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber’s Apprentice | Entry-level; must work under licensed plumber supervision | TSBPE1 |
| Tradesman Plumber | Limited residential scope; requires 4,000 hours experience | TSBPE |
| Journeyman Plumber | Full residential + commercial; requires 8,000 hours | TSBPE |
| Master Plumber | Design, contract, supervise other plumbers; requires exam | TSBPE |
“In Texas, no one may perform plumbing work without first being registered or licensed with the TSBPE.” - Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners1
Step-by-Step: How to Become a Plumber in Texas
1. Meet Basic Requirements
- Be at least 16 years old to register as an apprentice
- Have a high school diploma or GED for advanced licenses
- Be eligible to work in the U.S.
- Pass a criminal background check3
2. Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice
This is the official first step for new plumbers in Texas.
| Step | Notes |
|---|---|
| Register via TSBPE | tsbpe.texas.gov |
| Fee | $36 (2-year registration) |
| Supervision Requirement | Must work under a licensed plumber at all times |
Apprentices can start gaining hours toward Tradesman or Journeyman licenses immediately after registering.
3. Enroll in an Apprenticeship or Trade School
Most plumbers build experience through on-the-job training. Classroom education is optional but strongly encouraged.
| Path | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Union Apprenticeship | 4-5 years | Paid training with apprenticeship placements; availability varies and is not guaranteed (UA Local 100, PHCC) |
| Trade School | 6-24 months | Prepares you for exams; may count toward required hours |
“Approved training may substitute for up to 1,000 hours of work experience.” - TSBPE1
4. Accumulate On-the-Job Experience
Each license level has a required number of supervised work hours:
| License Level | Required Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tradesman Plumber | 4,000 hrs | Under Master or Journeyman |
| Journeyman Plumber | 8,000 hrs | Full commercial scope |
| Master Plumber | 8,000 hrs as Journeyman + exam pass |
TSBPE allows partial substitution with approved classroom hours.
5. Apply for Your License and Pass the Exam
Once you meet the experience threshold, apply to take the state plumbing exam.
| License Type | Exam Topics | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tradesman | Residential plumbing systems | ~70%+ |
| Journeyman | Code compliance, venting, sizing, safety | ~70%+ |
| Master Plumber | Business law, supervision, contracts | ~75%+ |
Exams are administered through third-party providers like PSI. You’ll need to submit:
- Proof of experience
- Application and test fee
- Valid ID and work history
- Fingerprints for background check3
What Drives the Cost
| Item | Cost profile |
|---|---|
| Trade School (optional) | The biggest variable - tuition differs widely by program, and skipping it for the apprenticeship route keeps costs low |
| Apprentice Registration (2 yrs) | Small state fee - see the current TSBPE fee schedule |
| Exam Fee (Tradesman/Journeyman) | Set by the state - check the TSBPE fee schedule |
| License Application Fee | Set by the state - check the TSBPE fee schedule |
| Background Check & Fingerprints | Small one-time cost |
| Tools, PPE, Materials | Modest startup cost that grows with your work |
Whether you attend trade school is the main cost decision; the state fees are minor by comparison. Confirm current fees with the TSBPE and current tuition with any school directly.
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 11,980 | $61,250 | $62,260 | $39,350 | $82,230 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 10,980 | $61,300 | $63,860 | $39,920 | $85,680 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,260 | $62,810 | $63,760 | $40,810 | $80,920 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 3,190 | $58,180 | $57,970 | $37,240 | $78,530 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 1,250 | $62,220 | $65,990 | $45,640 | $85,380 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,160 | $59,390 | $58,120 | $37,870 | $74,870 |
| El Paso | 640 | $53,560 | $56,270 | $35,600 | $88,370 |
| Lubbock | 550 | $48,950 | $54,380 | $36,400 | $80,100 |
| Midland | 510 | $60,700 | $62,860 | $41,580 | $80,760 |
| Waco | 490 | $57,550 | $58,390 | $37,530 | $76,030 |
| Amarillo | 440 | $55,970 | $54,440 | $35,030 | $74,420 |
| Longview | 420 | $54,320 | $55,170 | $37,080 | $76,360 |
| College Station-Bryan | 400 | $49,780 | $54,660 | $35,760 | $76,380 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 360 | $46,110 | $47,040 | $30,370 | $62,130 |
| Killeen-Temple | 340 | $56,620 | $55,780 | $35,980 | $74,940 |
| Abilene | 320 | $51,790 | $54,620 | $35,360 | $76,250 |
| Odessa | 290 | $61,870 | $59,800 | $39,460 | $78,210 |
| Tyler | 280 | $49,060 | $52,090 | $35,510 | $72,100 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 250 | $46,850 | $47,590 | $32,670 | $63,820 |
| Sherman-Denison | 200 | $54,320 | $54,810 | $35,480 | $76,810 |
| San Angelo | 160 | $48,050 | $50,860 | $35,690 | $68,490 |
| Texarkana | 150 | $48,480 | $52,070 | $34,130 | $75,610 |
| Wichita Falls | 130 | $49,210 | $52,390 | $36,490 | $72,960 |
| Laredo | 120 | $46,350 | $49,450 | $32,600 | $69,750 |
| Victoria | 120 | $60,320 | $57,570 | $37,590 | $75,120 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Other Skilled Trades in Texas
- Electrician in Texas
- HVAC in Texas
- Welder in Texas
- Solar Installer in Texas
- Carpenter in Texas
- Mold Inspector in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a plumber in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires all plumbers to be licensed or registered with the TSBPE.
What is the first step to work as a plumber in Texas?
Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE - a small fee covers a 2-year registration (see the TSBPE fee schedule for the current amount) - and you must work under a licensed plumber at all times.
How many hours are required for a Texas plumbing license?
Tradesman Plumber requires 4,000 hrs of supervised work experience, and Journeyman Plumber requires 8,000 hrs. Master Plumber requires 8,000 hrs as Journeyman + exam pass.
How long does plumber in Texas training take?
It typically takes 4-5 years to accumulate the work experience for Journeyman or Master-level licensing.
What does it cost to work as a plumber in Texas?
It varies widely, and optional trade school is the main driver - the apprenticeship route with paid on-the-job training keeps out-of-pocket costs low, while tuition differs by program. State registration, exam and license fees are minor by comparison; see the TSBPE’s current fee schedule.
Who administers the Texas plumbing exam?
Exams are administered through third-party providers like PSI.