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A career in a skilled trade offers the opportunity to enjoy job stability, earn a good living, and even own a business if you’re interested in becoming your own boss. Plumbing is one trade that’s always in demand.

Before you can become a tradesman, journeyman, or master plumber in the state of Texas, however, you must first obtain a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). What types of work can you perform with these licenses, and what are the requirements to obtain them?

Tradesman Plumber License

Tradesman plumbers are involved in the installation, service, repair, and alteration of plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber. For structures other than one- or two-family dwellings, however, they must be directly supervised by an on-site journeyman or master plumber. As a tradesman, you may supervise apprentices.

Before you can obtain this license, you must complete 4,000 hours of trade work, register as a plumber’s apprentice, and complete either a TSBPE-approved 24-hour training course or a training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

You’re also required to take the tradesman plumbing exam, including a written and a practical exam. The written exam is 120 minutes long and has 90 questions. The practical exam has six questions, and you’ll have 240 minutes to complete it. Both tests are closed book, and you must receive a score no lower than 70% to pass.

Journeyman Plumber License

A journeyman plumber can perform all the same tasks as a tradesman under the supervision of a master plumber. This license allows you to supervise tradesmen and plumber’s apprentices.

To become a journeyman plumber, you must complete 8,000 hours of trade experience, be registered as a plumber’s apprentice or hold a tradesman plumber license, and complete a 48-hour TSBPE-approved training course or a training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

You must also pass the journeyman plumbing exam, consisting of written and practical portions. The written exam is 120 minutes and has 90 questions. The practical exam has six questions, and you’ll have 240 minutes to finish. These tests are closed book, and you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Master Plumber License

Master plumbers may perform the same work as journeymen but with no required supervision. In this role, you may supervise journeymen, tradesmen, and plumber’s apprentices.

Before you can obtain a master plumber license, you must hold a journeyman plumber license in the state of Texas for a minimum of four years, or at least a year paired with the completion of a training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

The master plumbing exam has only a written portion (no practical) consisting of 220 questions. You’ll have 360 minutes to complete this closed-book exam, and you must answer a minimum of 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Sign Up for Exam Prep With RocketCert

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level with a tradesman, journeyman, or master plumber license in Texas, contact RocketCert today to sign up for a comprehensive exam prep program.