🔧 Plumber License Requirements by State

Compare plumber license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 47 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level plumber license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range 8,000–8,000 hours. Exam Application Fees range $75–$75. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$51,200
AKAlaska	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$79,340
AZArizona	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$55,210
ARArkansas	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$46,780
CACalifornia	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$72,600
COColorado	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$62,890
CTConnecticut	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$66,340
DEDelaware	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$56,420
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$69,880
FLFlorida	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$48,920
GAGeorgia	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$51,870
HIHawaii	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$71,200
IDIdaho	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$53,410
ILIllinois	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$73,250
INIndiana	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$57,890
IAIowa	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$58,120
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$54,670
KYKentucky	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$53,290
LALouisiana	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$52,100
MEMaine	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$54,670
MDMaryland	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$59,430
MAMassachusetts	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$73,810
MIMichigan	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$61,520
MNMinnesota	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$72,340
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$44,890
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$62,780
MTMontana	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$56,230
NENebraska	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$54,100
NVNevada	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$61,430
NHNew Hampshire	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$56,890
NJNew Jersey	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$68,740
NMNew Mexico	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$52,340
NYNew York	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$78,900
NCNorth Carolina	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$49,670
NDNorth Dakota	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$59,230
OHOhio	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$56,780
OKOklahoma	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$49,120
OROregon	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$68,340
PAPennsylvania	Not Required	—	—	$60,120
RIRhode Island	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$58,670
SCSouth Carolina	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$48,230
SDSouth Dakota	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$50,120
TNTennessee	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$52,340
TXTexas	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$53,780
UTUtah	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$55,670
VTVermont	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$54,320
VAVirginia	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$55,120
WAWashington	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$73,450
WVWest Virginia	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$49,670
WIWisconsin	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$63,120
WYWyoming	Required	8,000 hrs	$75	$56,890

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Common questions about plumber licensing

Do all states require a plumber license?

No — 47 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level plumber license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a plumber license?

Application fees across the states range $75–$75. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a plumber license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range 8,000–8,000 across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.