Plumber: apprenticeship to journey level and master
Most plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters train in a paid 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, then pass a licensing exam to become journey-level workers. Most states and some cities require plumbers to be licensed.
For: Students who want a licensed trade in commercial and residential piping systems.
Route 1: Apprenticeship, exam, journey level Most common
Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by unions, trade associations and businesses.
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Start here
High school diploma or equivalent
GED or HiSETBLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Find a program
A Registered Apprenticeship
Validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.
USDOL
What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program?U.S. Department of Labor (Apprenticeship.gov)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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4–5 years
Paid training + technical instruction
Apprentices typically get 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year, plus some technical instruction.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Licensing exam
States and localities often require 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam before plumbers may work independently.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Certificate
Journey-level plumber
Qualified to perform tasks independently.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Master plumber
Several years of experience and another exam. Some states require master status for a plumbing contractor's license.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Pipefitters & gas lines
- Some states require pipefitters and steamfitters to be licensed, and some require a special license to work on gas lines.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Driver's license
- Most employers require plumbers to have one.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Optional certification
- For example in plumbing design, to broaden career options.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Vocational-technical school first Optional head start
Some plumbers also attend a vocational-technical school before or during the apprenticeship.
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Start here
High school diploma or equivalent
GED or HiSETBLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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School
Vocational-technical school
These schools also offer the welding courses that some pipefitter and steamfitter apprenticeships require.
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
-
Exam gate
Licensing exam
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
-
Goal
Journey-level plumber
BLS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State licensing matrix
Plumbing licenses are issued by states, and in some places by counties and cities. Five examples, each from the official board or statute:
| State or city | What you need |
|---|---|
| Texas Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) |
Journeyman Plumber: at least 8,000 hours in the plumbing trade plus a board-approved 48-hour course, or enrollment in a U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship program. A journeyman or master license from another state replaces the course. Exam fee $40. TSBPEJourneyman PlumberTexas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
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| California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) |
No state journeyman plumber license: CSLB says a journey-level worker does not have a license and cannot contract jobs that need a permit or exceed $1,000. To get the C-36 Plumbing contractor license you must show 4 full years of journey-level plumbing; a plumbing apprenticeship is normally 5 years. CSLBFrequently Asked Questions About Journey-level ExperienceCalifornia Contractors State License Board
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| Florida Counties and cities (Fla. Stat. s. 489.1455) |
Counties and cities issue journeyman licenses in plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical and HVAC: a proctored exam (75% to pass) and a registered, state-approved apprenticeship or 12,000 hours of on-the-job training. Other Florida counties and cities must recognize it. Fla. Stat.Florida Statutes s. 489.1455 — Journeyman; reciprocity; standards (plumbing, mechanical, HVAC)The Florida Senate
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| Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
Journey level plumber (PL01): 4 years or more (at least 8,000 hours) as a plumber trainee under a certified journey level plumber, of which at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial installations. WA L&IPlumber CertificationWashington State Department of Labor & Industries
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| New York City NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) |
Master Plumber: 7 years of experience within the last 10 under a Licensed Master Plumber in the U.S., including 2 years as a registered journeyman plumber; written and practical exams; you must own or run a business with a place of business in NYC. NYC DOBObtain a Master Plumber LicenseNYC Department of Buildings
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| Illinois Illinois Department of Public Health (Illinois Plumbing License Law, 225 ILCS 320) |
At least 4 years as a licensed apprentice plumber, at least 2 years of high school (or equivalent), and an approved course of instruction at a college, university or trade school. Apprentice plumbers must be 16+ and sponsored by a licensed plumber or approved apprenticeship. Exam: State plumber's examination (apply at least 30 days before the exam date). Renewal: Every year by 30 April. IDPHPlumbing: licensing requirements and renewalIllinois Department of Public Health
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| Ohio Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Division of Industrial Compliance |
The state licenses commercial plumbing and hydronics contractors (a contractor or 'master' license) who pass the PSI licensing exam. Residential contractors are regulated by local building and health departments. Exam: PSI licensing examination. OCILBOhio Construction Industry Licensing BoardOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance
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Where to go next
Every trade on one matrix: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and the tools of the trade.