Plumbing license requirements by state
What your state asks of a plumber before the first paid job. Pick a state below for the license and what it costs, the least insurance you must carry, whether you need a bond, when to charge sales tax, and the deadlines that protect your right to be paid.
Plumbing in Arizona
- License you need
- R-37 Plumbing, Including Solar (residential) Renew Every two years. You can choose to renew each year instead at half the two-year fee
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
Plumbing in California
- License you need
- C-36 Plumbing Contractor Renew Every two years for an active license. An inactive license renews every four years
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
Plumbing in Florida
- License you need
- Certified Plumbing Contractor Renew Biennial, expires Aug 31 of even-numbered years
- Insurance you must carry
- $100,000 plus $25,000 for property damage
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
Plumbing in Georgia
- License you need
- Journeyman Plumber Renew Every two years, by November 30 of even-numbered years (late renewal December 1 to 31)
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
- Credit score
- None. The board rules and the licensing law do not ask for a credit check, net worth, or a financial statement for a plumbing license. or take a 14-hour course
Plumbing in Michigan
- License you need
- Plumbing Contractor Renew Every 3 years, expires April 30
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
Plumbing in North Carolina
- License you need
- Plumbing Contractor, Class I Renew Annual. Every license expires December 31. Renew in January or pay $25 extra. After three years unrenewed you must retest
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
Plumbing in Ohio
- License you need
- Plumbing Contractor (state license, also called a master license) Renew Annual, or every three years if you choose the three-year option
- Insurance you must carry
- $500,000 liability, at least
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
Plumbing in South Carolina
- License you need
- Mechanical Contractor, plumbing classification (PB), Contractor's Licensing Board Renew Every two years. There is no common expiry date for everyone. Your own license carries its date, and the board renews in two-year blocks. The board's site was showing the 2026 to 2028 block open for renewal in September 2026
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
- Credit score
- None or take a 14-hour course
Plumbing in Texas
- License you need
- Journeyman Plumber Renew Annual
- Insurance you must carry
- $300,000 liability, at least
- Workers' comp
- Your choice not required in this state
Plumbing in Virginia
- License you need
- Class A Contractor license, specialty Plumbing (PLB) Renew Verify. The rules read (18VAC50-22-130 and -140) give the renewal fee and a 30-day window after expiry but not the length of the term
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
- Credit score
- None or take a 14-hour course
Plumbing in Washington
- License you need
- Plumbing Contractor License Renew Every 2 years (the license expires 24 months after it is issued)
- Insurance you must carry
- $200,000 plus $50,000 for property damage
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
A state appears here the day a person has checked every figure on its plumbing page. Not seeing yours yet? It is on the list.