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LicenseReciprocity

Transfer Your Plumber License to Texas: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) ↗

Conditionally — Texas recognizes plumbing licenses from 2 named partner states (Louisiana, Arkansas). A plumber licensed by examination and in good standing there applies to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) under the agreement; Texas waives its journeyman plumber examination only for plumbers currently licensed in Louisiana or Arkansas, who may qualify for a reciprocal Texas license; every other out-of-state journeyman or master plumber (currently licensed and having held that license at least two years) must apply for an Out-of-State Examination and pass the Texas computer-based (Pearson VUE) written exam plus the practical journeyman exam. From any other state you qualify and sit Texas's journeyman exam as a new applicant. Application fee: $40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway).

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Verdict

Reciprocity with 2 states

Read Texas's reciprocity as a named list, and the list is the rule: if you were licensed by examination in a state on it and your license is in good standing, the streamlined track below applies; if not, no amount of field experience substitutes for Texas's exam. Two cautions. The agreement is directional — it describes the states Texas recognizes, which tells you nothing about the reverse move — and it typically excludes licenses that were grandfathered in rather than earned by examination. Confirm both against the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) before you rely on the waiver.

Texas issues a true statewide Journeyman Plumber license through the TSBPE (above Tradesman Plumber-Limited and below Master Plumber). Formal reciprocity exists only with Louisiana and Arkansas, whose plumbers can obtain a reciprocal Texas license via the Reciprocal License Verification form without re-examination. All other out-of-state journeyman or master plumbers licensed at least two years may use the Out-of-State Examination path, which credits their out-of-state license and experience but still requires the Texas computer-based written and practical journeyman exams. Fingerprints via IdentoGO are mandatory for out-of-state examinees. The out-of-state examination processing fee is $40 (journeyman) / $25 (master); a Pearson VUE test fee and the license issuance fee are additional. No national plumber database exists; verification is via the TSBPE public license search.

Texas requirements at a glance

Out-of-state plumbing license transfer requirements for Texas, verified 2026-07-21
ExamTexas waives its journeyman plumber examination only for plumbers currently licensed in Louisiana or Arkansas, who may qualify for a reciprocal Texas license; every other out-of-state journeyman or master plumber (currently licensed and having held that license at least two years) must apply for an Out-of-State Examination and pass the Texas computer-based (Pearson VUE) written exam plus the practical journeyman exam
Additional requirements
  • Hold a current out-of-state Journeyman or Master Plumber license held for at least two years (or a Louisiana/Arkansas license for the reciprocal pathway)
  • Submit fingerprints through IdentoGO — required for all out-of-state examinees before the application is approved
  • Provide proof of lawful authorization to work in the United States and a current government-issued photo ID
  • Pass the Texas journeyman computer-based written exam and the practical exam (both waived only for Louisiana/Arkansas reciprocal applicants)
Fees$40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway)
Processing time4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status)

Step by step

  1. Confirm Texas's current requirements on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) website — rules change.
  2. Submit the reciprocity/endorsement application to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) (application linked on this page).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Hold a current out-of-state Journeyman or Master Plumber license held for at least two years (or a Louisiana/Arkansas license for the reciprocal pathway).
  5. Submit fingerprints through IdentoGO — required for all out-of-state examinees before the application is approved.
  6. Provide proof of lawful authorization to work in the United States and a current government-issued photo ID.
  7. Pass the Texas journeyman computer-based written exam and the practical exam (both waived only for Louisiana/Arkansas reciprocal applicants).
  8. Pay the fees ($40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway)) and allow 4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status).

Official links

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) ↗Texas application ↗License verification ↗

Coming from a specific state?

Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Texas:

Alabama → TexasAlaska → TexasArizona → TexasArkansas → TexasCalifornia → TexasColorado → TexasConnecticut → TexasDelaware → TexasDistrict of Columbia → TexasFlorida → TexasGeorgia → TexasHawaii → TexasIdaho → TexasIllinois → TexasIndiana → TexasIowa → TexasKansas → TexasKentucky → TexasLouisiana → TexasMaine → Texas
All 50 origin states
Maryland → TexasMassachusetts → TexasMichigan → TexasMinnesota → TexasMississippi → TexasMissouri → TexasMontana → TexasNebraska → TexasNevada → TexasNew Hampshire → TexasNew Jersey → TexasNew Mexico → TexasNew York → TexasNorth Carolina → TexasNorth Dakota → TexasOhio → TexasOklahoma → TexasOregon → TexasPennsylvania → TexasRhode Island → TexasSouth Carolina → TexasSouth Dakota → TexasTennessee → TexasUtah → TexasVermont → TexasVirginia → TexasWashington → TexasWest Virginia → TexasWisconsin → TexasWyoming → Texas

Frequently asked questions

Does my plumbing license transfer to Texas?

Conditionally — Texas recognizes plumbing licenses from 2 named partner states (Louisiana, Arkansas). A plumber licensed by examination and in good standing there applies to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) under the agreement; Texas waives its journeyman plumber examination only for plumbers currently licensed in Louisiana or Arkansas, who may qualify for a reciprocal Texas license; every other out-of-state journeyman or master plumber (currently licensed and having held that license at least two years) must apply for an Out-of-State Examination and pass the Texas computer-based (Pearson VUE) written exam plus the practical journeyman exam. From any other state you qualify and sit Texas's journeyman exam as a new applicant. Application fee: $40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway).

Will I have to take Texas's plumbing exam?

Texas waives its journeyman plumber examination only for plumbers currently licensed in Louisiana or Arkansas, who may qualify for a reciprocal Texas license; every other out-of-state journeyman or master plumber (currently licensed and having held that license at least two years) must apply for an Out-of-State Examination and pass the Texas computer-based (Pearson VUE) written exam plus the practical journeyman exam.

Which states does Texas have plumbing reciprocity with?

Louisiana, Arkansas (2 states, verified 2026-07-21 against the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)). The waiver applies only if you were licensed by examination there; plumbers from every other state qualify as new applicants.

What will licensing in Texas cost an out-of-state plumber, and how long does it take?

$40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway); processing 4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status).

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]