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Master Plumber License: Requirements by State (Experience, Exams, Fees)

By Dale Morgan · Updated 2026-10-18 · Every fact links to its official source.

A master plumber license is usually the top individual plumbing credential. In many states it's what you need to run a plumbing business, pull permits or supervise other plumbers. Getting one typically means first holding a journeyman license, adding more experience and passing another exam. The specifics vary a lot from state to state.

Below are the verified official facts that mention master plumber licensing, grouped by jurisdiction, each with its source link.

Typical path to a master plumber license (general outline)1Apprentice /trainee2Journeymanplumber3Additionalexperience4Masterexam5Masterlicense
Typical path to a master plumber license (general outline). A general outline only; the order and requirements differ by jurisdiction — see the verified facts below.
Experience hours by jurisdiction — individual licenses (verified values only)Utah16,000Texas8,000Washington8,000Oregon7,700British Columbia6,300Michigan6,000Texas4,000Michigan4,000Maine2,000South Dakota1,900
Experience hours by jurisdiction — individual licenses (verified values only) (hours). Each bar is a single number quoted on an official page and reviewed by our editor; amounts are for the license type named in the scope note below and are not totals. Jurisdictions without a verified value are left out rather than estimated.

Chart sources (experience hours):

Experience hours by jurisdiction — contractor licenses (verified values only)North Carolina4,000South Dakota1,900
Experience hours by jurisdiction — contractor licenses (verified values only) (hours). Each bar is a single number quoted on an official page and reviewed by our editor; amounts are for the license type named in the scope note below and are not totals. Jurisdictions without a verified value are left out rather than estimated.

Chart sources (experience hours):

chart iconAt a glance

JurisdictionTradeVerified facts on this topicPage
AlabamaPlumberverified 2view
DelawarePlumberverified 1view
GeorgiaPlumberverified 1view
MainePlumberverified 2view
MassachusettsPlumberverified 1view
MichiganPlumberverified 2view
OhioPlumberverified 1view
TexasPlumberverified 3view
West VirginiaPlumberverified 2view
WisconsinPlumberverified 1view

pin iconUnited States

Alabama

What the official Alabama pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Alabama plumber requirements.

Delaware

What the official Delaware pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Delaware plumber requirements.

Georgia

What the official Georgia pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Georgia plumber requirements.

Maine

What the official Maine pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Maine plumber requirements.

Massachusetts

What the official Massachusetts pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Massachusetts plumber requirements.

Michigan

What the official Michigan pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Michigan plumber requirements.

Ohio

What the official Ohio pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Ohio plumber requirements.

Texas

What the official Texas pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Texas plumber requirements.

West Virginia

What the official West Virginia pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: West Virginia plumber requirements.

Wisconsin

What the official Wisconsin pages say, quoted from our reviewed record. Full details: Wisconsin plumber requirements.

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Compare the full requirements, including renewal and continuing education, in how to become a plumber, or check a plumber's license with our license lookup.

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help iconFAQ

What does Alabama require for a master plumber license?

2 years of current work experience for the journeyman exam; 1 year for the master exam. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: Exams – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18

What does Delaware require for a master plumber license?

Master Plumber reciprocity: at least 7 years practicing as a Master in the reciprocating jurisdiction. (Individual worker license (DE Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners)) — source: Master Plumber Licensure - Division of Professional Regulation - State of Delaware, verified 2026-10-18

What does Georgia require for a master plumber license?

License types: Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber (Restricted), Master Plumber (Non-Restricted). (Individual worker license (GA Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers)) — source: plumbers_license_howto.pdf, verified 2026-10-18

What does Maine require for a master plumber license?

Master Plumber exam: 1 year/2,000 hours as journeyman, or 4 years/8,000 hours as trainee under a master. (Individual worker license (ME Plumbers’ Examining Board)) — source: me_plumbers_individual_licenses.pdf, verified 2026-10-18

What does Massachusetts require for a master plumber license?

The Board examines and licenses journeyman and master plumbers and gas fitters. (Individual worker license (MA Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters)) — source: plumbers_gasfitters_board.pdf, verified 2026-10-18

What does Michigan require for a master plumber license?

Journey and Master Plumber applicants must be at least 18. (Individual worker license (MI Bureau of Construction Codes)) — source: mi_bcc_plumbing.pdf, verified 2026-10-18