Texas Plumber License Check: What Homeowners Need

Texas plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, and any business that offers plumbing must work under a Responsible Master Plumber. Get the RMP's name and license number, which should start with M, and check it on the board's public license search. Then ask your city whether the job needs a permit and inspection.

Who licenses plumbing providers in Texas

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Texas law requires anyone doing plumbing to hold the proper license, registration or endorsement and to work under the supervision of a licensed plumber. Levels include Plumber's Apprentice (registration), Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber and Plumbing Inspector, with endorsements such as Water Supply Protection Specialist and Medical Gas Piping Installation. A company that offers plumbing must have a Responsible Master Plumber whose license number starts with M. Use the board's public license search to confirm the RMP's license is valid and that a certificate of insurance is on file.

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Key facts for Texas

Texas law says a person may not engage in plumbing unless they hold the proper license, registration or endorsement and their work is supervised by a licensed plumber.
A Responsible Master Plumber must show proof of at least $300,000 in commercial liability insurance and can serve as RMP for only one company at a time.
Texas Master Plumber license numbers begin with M, and numbers beginning with A, T or J are not Master Plumber numbers.
Texas cities with more than 5,000 residents must regulate plumbing by ordinance, including water heaters, and must require permits for most plumbing work.
A property owner does not need a Texas plumbing license to do plumbing in his or her own homestead.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed 246 deaths related to the February 2021 winter storm, across 77 counties.
On February 14, 2021, every Texas county was under a Winter Storm Warning, and NWS Austin/San Antonio reported burst water pipes among the storm's impacts.
Under state law, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is set to be abolished on September 1, 2033, unless the Legislature continues it.

How do Texas plumbing licenses work?

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners licenses individual plumbers. A new worker starts with a Plumber's Apprentice registration. Higher levels are Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman Plumber and Master Plumber. Plumbing Inspector is a separate license.

State law defines a Tradesman Plumber-Limited as someone who builds and installs plumbing for one-family and two-family homes under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber.

Endorsements add specialties. A Water Supply Protection Specialist can do the customer service inspections that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires. Other endorsements cover medical gas piping and residential fire sprinklers.

What is a Responsible Master Plumber, and why does it matter to you?

Texas law says anyone who advertises or offers plumbing must secure the services of a Responsible Master Plumber. The RMP is the licensed Master Plumber who generally supervises and manages the company's plumbing work.

The board requires an RMP to file proof of at least $300,000 in commercial liability insurance, to make sure service vehicles show the company name and to make sure everyone doing plumbing holds a current license or registration. An RMP can serve only one company at a time.

The board's consumer page says the RMP's license number should appear in all advertising. It also says written estimates and invoices should show the RMP's number and the board's name, address and phone number.

When do Texas cities require plumbing permits?

Chapter 1301 of the Texas Occupations Code requires cities with more than 5,000 residents to regulate pipes, faucets, tanks, valves, water heaters and other fixtures by ordinance. Those cities must require a permit before plumbing work, except for repairing leaks and replacing faucets, ballcocks or water control valves, garbage disposals or toilets.

Inspections must be done by a licensed plumbing inspector. A city that requires a permit must check that the RMP has a certificate of insurance on file with the board.

Homeowners may do plumbing on their own homestead without a state license, but the board notes that city permit and inspection rules still apply. Check with your city's plumbing inspection office before you start.

What did the February 2021 freeze mean for Texas plumbing?

The National Weather Service placed every Texas county under a Winter Storm Warning on February 14, 2021. NWS Austin/San Antonio described catastrophic impacts statewide, including failed power grids and burst water pipes. NWS Houston listed broken pipes among the impacts in Southeast Texas.

The Texas Department of State Health Services later confirmed 246 storm-related deaths across 77 counties.

For homeowners, the lesson is preparation. Know where your main water shutoff is, ask a plumber about exposed and attic piping, and plan for repairs that may need a permit.

How do you file a complaint with the Texas plumbing board?

Complaints must be in writing. You can use the board's online complaint form, or mail or email a General Complaint Form with copies of contracts, receipts and correspondence.

The board says a field representative is assigned to investigate. Outcomes can include voluntary compliance, an administrative penalty, a reprimand, or probation, suspension or revocation of a license.

The board also suggests asking your city's plumbing inspection office whether complaints were filed there.

How to choose a provider in Texas

Get the Responsible Master Plumber's name and license number. It should start with M.
Search the license on the TSBPE public license search and confirm a certificate of insurance is on file.
Make sure the person who comes to your home carries a license or registration card. Texas law requires it on the job.
Ask whether your city requires a permit, and who will pull it and schedule inspections.
Check that the estimate and invoice show the RMP's license number and the board's contact details.
Ask your city whether the company is registered to do business there.
Ask for references and check them.
For irrigation or rainwater systems, ask whether a Water Supply Protection Specialist is needed.

Plumbing in Texas cities

Questions people ask

What license levels does Texas issue for plumbers?

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners issues Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber and Plumbing Inspector licenses. It also registers apprentices and issues endorsements such as Water Supply Protection Specialist.

What is an RMP?

A Responsible Master Plumber is the Master Plumber who supervises and manages a company's plumbing work. Texas law requires anyone who offers plumbing to secure one, and the RMP must keep commercial liability insurance on file with the board.

How do I verify a Texas plumber's license?

Use the TSBPE public license search. Search the RMP's license number or search by city or ZIP code, and confirm the status and insurance certificate.

Do I need a license to do my own plumbing in Texas?

No, not on your own homestead. State law exempts a property owner doing plumbing in his or her homestead. City permit and inspection rules still apply.

Which plumbing jobs are exempt from city permits in Texas?

State law lets cities skip permits for repairing leaks and replacing faucets, ballcocks or water control valves, garbage disposals or toilets. Other work, such as a water heater replacement, generally needs a permit in cities that regulate plumbing.

What is a customer service inspection?

It is a TCEQ-required check for cross-connections and other hazards in private plumbing. It is required for new construction and after material changes to private plumbing, and can be done by a plumbing inspector, a licensed customer service inspector or a plumber with a Water Supply Protection Specialist endorsement.

Does the TSBPE regulate plumbing prices?

No. The board says it does not regulate prices, so it suggests comparing written estimates.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you check a plumber's license in Texas?