Texas plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Texas plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (TSBPE), how to check one online, the license types, and 8,909 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Texas?
| Who licenses them | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) |
|---|---|
| License types | Responsible Master Plumber, Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Plumber's Apprentice (registration) |
| When a license is required | License required for plumbing work regardless of job size; plumbing businesses work under a Responsible Master Plumber |
Ask for the plumber's TSBPE license number; the company should operate under a Responsible Master Plumber, who must carry at least $300,000 in commercial liability insurance. Cities issue plumbing permits only to licensed RMPs and inspect the work.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Texas?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Texas plumbing license lookup run by TSBPE.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact TSBPE.
What plumbing licenses does Texas issue?
- Responsible Master Plumber
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
- Tradesman Plumber-Limited
- Plumber's Apprentice (registration)
How do you get a plumbing license in Texas?
Licenses are issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official TSBPE source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Texas city is the job in?
- Denton
- Irving
- Terrell
- Rockport
- Kyle
- Tyler
- El Paso
- Austin
- Dallas
- Hutto
- San Antonio
- Bulverde
- Royse City
- Lubbock
- Floresville
- Belton
- Wichita Falls
- Carrollton
- Richardson
- Temple
- Baytown
- Boerne
- Katy
- Denison
- Arlington
- Houston
- Springtown
- Southlake
- Midland
- Mesquite
- Conroe
- Clyde
- Fredericksburg
- Eagle Pass
- Euless
- Georgetown
- Tomball
- Lockhart
- Willis
- Corpus Christi
- Nacogdoches
- Grand Prairie
- Bryan
- Mission
- Weatherford
- Granbury
- Odessa
- Burnet
- Kempner
- Brownwood
- Fort Worth
- Cleburne
- Kingsland
- Quinlan
- Corsicana
- Round Rock
- Leander
- Schertz
- Burleson
- New Braunfels
- Garland
- Texarkana
- Plano
- Victoria
- Pasadena
- Allen
- Missouri City
- La Vernia
- Kingwood
- Harlingen
- Mcallen
- Amarillo
- Mckinney
- Waxahachie
- Keller
- Brownsville
- Waco
- Perryton
- San Marcos
- San Angelo
- Laredo
- Grapevine
- Azle
- Haslet
- Rockwall
- Longview
- Duncanville
- San Benito
- Caddo Mills
- Watauga
- Hurst
- Haltom City
- Abilene
- Alpine
- League City
- Alvarado
- College Station
- Mansfield
- Deer Park
- Hockley
- Wylie
- Lewisville
- Seguin
- The Woodlands
- Kerrville
- The Colony
- Beaumont
- Friendswood
- Spring
- Bastrop
- Canyon Lake
- Frisco
- Cedar Park
- Porter
- Pflugerville
- Brenham
- Mabank
- Little Elm
- Wolfforth
- Athens
- Pharr
- Galveston
- Rosenberg
- Rowlett
- Edinburg
- Buda
- Lancaster
- Boyd
- Helotes
- Red Oak
- Harker Heights
- Midlothian
- Lamesa
- Bedford
- Richmond
- Big Spring
- Bandera
- Sulphur Springs
- Forney
- Copperas Cove
- Saginaw
- Aledo
- Carthage
- Prosper
- Cypress
- Navasota
- Converse
- Magnolia
- Crowley
- Lago Vista
- Spring Branch
- Sherman
- Gainesville
- Killeen
- Canton
- Dripping Springs
- Alvin
- Cedar Hill
- North Richland Hills
- Pearland
- Marshall
- Hondo
- Universal City
- Bonham
- Marble Falls
- Ennis
- Elmendorf
- Angleton
- Sugar Land
- Stephenville
- Livingston
- Balch Springs
- Wills Point
- Elgin
- Princeton
- Weslaco
- Humble
- Dayton
- Crosby
- Smithville
- Stafford
- Lufkin
- Liberty Hill
- Atascosa
- Montgomery
- Winnsboro
- Desoto
- Venus
- Von Ormy
- Robstown
- Cleveland
- Greenville
- Decatur
- Lexington
- Farmers Branch
- Breckenridge
- La Porte
- Texas City
- Manor
- Taylor
- Dickinson
- Del Rio
- Aubrey
How many plumbers are there in Texas?
The Census Bureau counted 8,909 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Texas in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Harris County | 1,187 |
|---|---|
| Dallas County | 727 |
| Tarrant County | 631 |
| Bexar County | 523 |
| Travis County | 369 |
| Williamson County | 267 |
| Collin County | 264 |
| Montgomery County | 254 |
What do Texas homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Texas was built in 1990, 37% of households rent and 67% of homes are single-family houses. 34% of homes heat with utility gas and 61% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Texas?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Texas licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.