How to get a Journeyman Plumber license in Louisiana

Louisiana plumber licenses

Louisiana issues 7 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Louisiana plumber licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 7)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required⁴
The renewal form asks whether you have a felony conviction connected with plumbing or natural gas work; if yes you must contact the board.⁴

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²

Renewal

How often

Every year⁵

When it expires

All licenses and endorsements expire December 31 each year; renewals open November 1.²

Renew online

licensee.spbla.com⁴

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: The board links Act 200 (HB 613) on occupational licensing for military members and spouses; no plumbing-specific military rule is published on the page.¹³

2. Every license level except Apprentice Registration (Apprentice Plumber) and Master Plumber

Renewal

If it expires

Renewals received after midnight December 31 pay a revival fee on top of the renewal fee (January 1 to March 31), and a higher revival fee after March 31.²

3. Journeyman Plumber, Residential Plumber Limited and Master Plumber

Renewal

Approved courses

Take CPE through a board-approved provider (classroom or correspondence course); anyone who misses the December 31 deadline must contact the board for a make-up course.¹⁴

From another state

4. Journeyman Plumber and Apprentice Registration (Apprentice Plumber)

Fees

5. Journeyman Plumber and Residential Plumber Limited

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 3.5 hours each renewal period²

6. Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems Verifier and Medical Gas Installer

From another state

Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license

Installs, repairs and maintains plumbing systems, only while employed by a Louisiana master plumber. Journeymen who repaired plumbing independently before January 1, 2024 may continue for 5 years but must pass the master exam in that period.¹

Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

Indentured route: be enrolled in an LWC-approved apprenticeship program (reduces the hours needed to 7,000).³
Alternative: Sufficient education to read and write the exam answers and understand sanitary-code plumbing terms.²

Experience

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Unindentured registered apprentice: 8,000 hours of plumbing manual labor under direct, constant supervision of a licensed journeyman or master.³
License you must hold first: Must be a currently registered SPBLA apprentice while earning the hours.²
Substitute: Indentured apprentice in an LWC-approved program: 7,000 hours.²
Substitute: A valid plumbing license from another state may qualify you to sit the journeyman exam if it required at least 8,000 hours.³

Exam

Journeyman Plumber examination (written + practical)³
Given by: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (board-run exam in Baton Rouge and Shreveport; candidate bulletin issued with NITC)¹⁵
Passing score: 70% in each examination category¹⁵
When you can take it: Application (notarised, with documents) must reach the board at least 30 days before the exam; exams are quarterly in Baton Rouge and Shreveport.³
Written: 1 part, 80 questions, 3 hours, on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (and 2021 IRC)³
Practical (hands-on): 1 hour, Floor Plan Project³
Exam waived: Texas and Arkansas journeymen with 2 years licensed can get a Louisiana journeyman license without the exam (reciprocal agreement).⁶

Also required

Attach a 2 x 2 inch photograph; the application must be notarised.²

How much a Journeyman Plumber license costs

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Work as a registered apprentice for a master company until you have 8,000 hours (7,000 if indentured).²
2. Complete and notarise the Journeyman Plumber Exam Application, attach payroll/W-2 proof of hours and a 2x2 photo, and mail it with $135 at least 30 days before an exam date.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²
3. Optional: once scheduled, buy a one-time $75 temporary work permit to work as a journeyman until the exam.³
4. Sit the written and practical exam in Baton Rouge or Shreveport; results come by mail.³
5. After passing, return the Initial Journeyman License form with the license fee.³

Temporary or provisional license

One temporary work permit per lifetime ($75), only after you are approved and scheduled for the exam; it ends at the exam date and none is issued after a failed exam.³

Processing time

Up to 2 weeks to process; exam results mailed within about 2 weeks.³

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$50⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $65⁴ (renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $80⁴ (renewed after March 31)
Reinstatement fee: $50² (per year lapsed, up to 4 years, instead of re-examination)

Moving to Louisiana with a license from another state

These are the routes SPBLA publishes for the Journeyman Plumber license. The other plumber licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Apprentice Registration (Apprentice Plumber)

Unlicensed workers must register as apprentices, be employed by a master plumbing company and work under the direct, constant on-the-job supervision of a licensed journeyman or master. SPBLA apprentices may do both plumbing and natural gas work.³

Requirements

Education or training

Indentured route only: enroll in a Louisiana Workforce Commission approved apprenticeship program (classroom hours while working).³

Experience

None to register; you must be employed by a licensed master company.³
Supervision: Direct, constant on-the-job supervision of a licensed plumber or gas fitter.³

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Get hired by a licensed master plumbing company (and, for the indentured route, enroll in an LWC-approved apprenticeship program).³
2. Complete the Apprentice Registration Application and send it to the board with a $20 check or money order.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²
3. Carry your registration card (or a digital copy) on the job and renew every year by December 31.³

Processing time

Up to 2 weeks by mail; same-day processing in person.³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$20⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $35⁴ (renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $50⁴ (renewed after March 31)

If it expires

Renewals received after midnight December 31 pay a revival fee on top of the renewal fee (January 1 to March 31), and a higher revival fee after March 31.²
Apprentices must send their most recent paycheck stub with the renewal form.⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems Verifier

Inspects and verifies medical gas and vacuum systems, in person at the site.¹

Requirements

Education or training

Complete a training course from a board-recognized organization.⁹

Exam

Verifier examination by a nationally recognized organization⁹

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Complete approved verifier training and the national verifier certification.⁹
2. Mail the notarised verifier application with certification copies and $210.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²

Renewal

Renewal fee

$210⁴

Required topics

Keep verifier certification current with NITC.⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $275⁴ (renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $340⁴ (renewed after March 31)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Medical Gas Installer

Requirements

Education or training

Complete a medical gas certification course with a board-approved provider.³

Experience

Must show current brazer performance qualification.²

Exam

Medical gas piping installer examination⁹

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Complete a certification course with a board-approved medical gas provider.³
2. Mail the notarised Medical Gas Installer Application with the certification copies and $40.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²

Renewal

Renewal fee

$40⁴

Required topics

Keep installer and brazing certifications current with NITC.⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50⁴ (renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $60⁴ (renewed after March 31)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Plumber Limited

At the direction of a master plumber, may independently install, alter, repair and maintain plumbing in one- and two-family dwellings without a journeyman supervising; may also work under a journeyman or master without counting toward the apprentice ratio.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Registered apprentice with 4,000 hours (unindentured) or 3,000 hours (indentured) of plumbing manual labor under direct, constant supervision of a licensed journeyman or master.⁹
License you must hold first: Current apprentice registration certificate from the board.⁹
Substitute: Indentured apprentice: 3,000 hours.³

Exam

Residential Plumber examination (written + practical)³
Given by: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (exams in Baton Rouge and Shreveport)³
Passing score: 70% in each examination category¹⁹
Written: 80 questions, 3 hours, on the 2021 International Residential Code³
Practical: 1 hour, 3 projects (screw pipe, copper, floor)³
Retakes: If you fail you receive a Retake Form; a passed part stays valid for 1 year and the other part must be passed within that year.³

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Earn 4,000 hours (3,000 if indentured) as a registered apprentice under a licensed master.⁹
2. Mail the notarised Residential Plumbing Application with proof of hours and $135.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²
3. Sit the written and practical exam; after passing, return the Initial Residential License form with the license fee.³

Temporary or provisional license

$75 temporary work permit after you are scheduled for the exam, valid until the exam; a second permit only if you passed one part.³

Processing time

Up to 2 weeks; applicants are scheduled in order of approval.³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$30²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $15² (renewed January 1 - March 31, on top of renewal fee)
Late renewal fee: $30² (renewed after March 31, on top of renewal fee)

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement

Endorsement on a journeyman or master plumber license (or a landscape irrigator license) for backflow/cross-connection testing work.²

Requirements

Education or training

40 clock hours³
Complete a 40-hour tester certification with a board-approved provider (ASSE Series 5000 compliant).²
Who may teach it: Approved WSPS providers are listed by the board.³

Experience

Must already hold a Louisiana journeyman or master plumber license (or LDAF landscape irrigator license).³

Exam

WSPS tester certification exam (via approved provider)³

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Complete a 40-hour tester certification with a board-approved WSPS provider.³
2. Mail the notarised WSPS application with a copy of the tester certificate, a 2x2 photo and $20.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²

Processing time

Up to 2 weeks.³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$10²

Required topics

Recertification every 3 years through a board-approved ASSE Series 5000 program; send the certificate to the board.³

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $20⁴ (renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $30⁴ (renewed after March 31)

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Master Plumber

Installs, repairs and maintains plumbing and employs apprentices and journeymen. Each master designates one employing entity; a company may not hold itself out as doing plumbing unless it employs a master plumber.¹

Requirements

Experience

Hold a current Louisiana journeyman plumber license (no extra hours stated), or be a Louisiana-licensed professional engineer with 5 years' plumbing experience.²
License you must hold first: Current Louisiana Journeyman Plumber license (or Louisiana PE license).³

Exam

Master Plumber examination (3-part written)³
Given by: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (exams in Baton Rouge and Shreveport; NITC candidate bulletin)³
Passing score: 70% in each examination category²⁰
Part II: 2 hours, 25 questions, Title 51 Sanitary Code Part XIII (Sewage Disposal, December 2022 edition)³
Part III: 2 hours, 40 questions, NASCLA Louisiana Master Plumbers and Master Natural Gasfitters business and law guide (2nd ed.)³

Insurance

The employing entity must carry workers' compensation, motor vehicle liability at the legal minimum, and general liability and property damage insurance of at least $500,000 before an active master license is issued, renewed or revived.²

Business requirements

Each company has one designated Responsible Active Master Plumber who keeps the company's insurance current with the board.³

Business requirements

Plumbing contracts of $10,000+ need an LSLBC commercial plumbing license too.²¹

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Hold a current Louisiana journeyman license (or Louisiana PE license with 5 years' plumbing experience).³
2. Mail the notarised Master Plumber Exam Application with a 2x2 photo and $110 at least 30 days before the exam.³ Form (PDF, spbla.com)¹²
3. Pass all three written parts.³
4. Complete the Initial Master Plumber License form: active ($190, with a company and proof of insurance) or inactive ($40).³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$190⁴

Continuing education

At least 5 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

Inactive masters working as journeymen: 3.5 hours.³
Master plumber plus gas fitter or master gas fitter licenses: 6 hours combined.²

Exemptions

Inactive masters not working in the trade may file the CPE exemption form, but then may not work in the trade that year.³

Late renewal

Renewal fee: $40⁴ (inactive master)
Late renewal fee: $250⁴ (active, renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $310⁴ (active, renewed after March 31)
Late renewal fee: $55⁴ (inactive, renewed January 1 - March 31)
Late renewal fee: $70⁴ (inactive, renewed after March 31)
Reinstatement fee: $250² (per year lapsed, up to 4 years, instead of re-examination)

If it expires

Renewals received after midnight December 31 pay a revival fee on top of the renewal fee (January 1 to March 31), and a higher revival fee after March 31.²
Responsible masters must send current general liability ($500,000), vehicle and workers' compensation certificates with the renewal (or a workers' comp exemption affidavit).⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Apprentice Registration (Apprentice Plumber)Statewide license only. Local governments may collect local permit fees and charges for plumbing work from state licensees but may not examine or license master plumbers.²

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in Louisiana, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Louisiana is on the Louisiana license lookup page.

Look up a license

public.spbla.com³

File a complaint

spbla.com³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• La. R.S. 37:1367 (license required; residential, journeyman, master plumber; medical gas; WSPS; local examination preempted)
• La. R.S. 37:1368 (issuance of licenses and endorsements)
• La. R.S. 37:1369 (temporary working permits)
• La. R.S. 37:1370 (annual renewal)
• La. R.S. 37:1371
• LAC 46:LV.312
• Acts 2026, No. 908 (HB 953): repeals R.S. 37:1361-1380 and moves plumber licensing to the State Licensing Board for Contractors effective January 1, 2027
• La. R.S. 37:1380 (insurance requirements for master plumbers)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2027: From January 1, 2027 (Act 908 of 2026) plumber licensing moves from the State Plumbing Board to a new Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). The LSLBC said on November 1, 2026 that more transition information will follow once rules and procedures are final.²² Act 908 of 2026 (HB 953) abolishes the State Plumbing Board, transfers its functions to the LSLBC and repeals R.S. 37:1361-1380, the current plumbing licensing law; the main provisions take effect January 1, 2027.²³ Under the new law the LSLBC issues individual plumber licenses only in the apprentice, journeyman and master grades, plus plumbing contractor licenses. The residential plumber limited, medical gas and water supply protection specialist grades in prior law are repealed.²³ Apprentice, journeyman and master plumbers licensed by the State Plumbing Board on or before December 31, 2026 automatically hold the equivalent LSLBC license on January 1, 2027.²³ The act's automatic transfer covers only apprentice, journeyman and master plumber licenses; it does not name this credential.²³ From January 1, 2027 the new statute requires a journeyman license, 1,000 hours of verified work as a licensed journeyman and a written exam for a master plumber license.²⁴ The new law also creates master plumbing contractor licenses (any structure) and residential plumbing contractor licenses (certain structures) under the LSLBC.²³ From January 1, 2027 apprentices must work under a journeyman or master plumber, and a journeyman may supervise no more than three apprentices.²⁴

Common questions

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