Plumbing license reciprocity and transfer, state by state
Moving with a plumber license? Here is what each state's board says it accepts from other states, with the partner lists exactly as the boards publish them.
How plumber licenses move between states
No license is valid nationwide: the board in the state you move to decides whether it accepts yours. Across the 47 states and DC we cover, the routes boards publish for the main plumber license are reciprocity agreements (20), license by endorsement (15), exam waiver (14), military service members and spouses (14), universal license recognition (12), temporary license or permit (5), reciprocity (1) and other route (1). 16 boards name the states whose licenses they accept; those lists are one-way, so a state on the list does not necessarily accept a license from the listing state. What each route means.
Plumber reciprocity by state
| State | License | Routes the board publishes | States the board lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Journeyman Plumber | Exam waiver1 Reciprocity agreements2 Temporary license or permit3 Military service members and spouses2 | No list on the pages cited |
| Alaska | Plumber Journeyman | Reciprocity agreements4 Temporary license or permit5 Exam waiver4 | Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia6 |
| Arizona | C-37 Plumbing | Exam waiver7 Universal license recognition8 Military service members and spouses9 | – |
| Arkansas | Journeyman Plumber | Reciprocity agreements10 Universal license recognition10 Military service members and spouses10 | Ohio, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma11 |
| California | C-36 - Plumbing Contractor | Reciprocity agreements12 | Arizona13 |
| Colorado | Journeyworker Plumber | License by endorsement14 Military service members and spouses15 | – |
| Connecticut | P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber | No reciprocity16 License by endorsement17 | – |
| Delaware | Master Plumber | Reciprocity agreements18 License by endorsement18 Military service members and spouses19 | Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland18 States Delaware names as not substantially similar: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia18 |
| District of Columbia | Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter | License by endorsement20 | – |
| Florida | Certified Plumbing Contractor | License by endorsement21 No reciprocity22 Military service members and spouses23 | – |
| Georgia | Journeyman Plumber | No reciprocity24 | – |
| Hawaii | Journey Worker Plumber | No reciprocity25 | – |
| Idaho | Plumbing Journeyman (certificate of competency) | Universal license recognition26 | – |
| Illinois | Plumber's License (Illinois licensed plumber) | Reciprocity agreements27 Exam waiver27 | No list on the pages cited |
| Indiana | Journeyman Plumber | License by endorsement28 Reciprocity agreements28 | No list on the pages cited |
| Iowa | Journeyperson | Reciprocity agreements29 Universal license recognition30 License by endorsement31 No reciprocity30 | South Dakota29 |
| Kansas | No state license32 | – | – |
| Kentucky | Journeyman Plumber | Reciprocity agreements33 Exam waiver34 | No list on the pages cited |
| Louisiana | Journeyman Plumber | Reciprocity agreements35 Temporary license or permit36 Universal license recognition37 | Texas and Arkansas38 |
| Maine | Journeyman Plumber | Reciprocity agreements39 | No list on the pages cited |
| Maryland | Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter | Reciprocity agreements40 No reciprocity41 | No list on the pages cited |
| Massachusetts | Journeyman Plumber | License by endorsement42 | – |
| Michigan | Journey plumber | Temporary license or permit43 Military service members and spouses43 | – |
| Minnesota | Journeyworker plumber | Reciprocity agreements44 License by endorsement45 | North Dakota and South Dakota44 |
| Mississippi | Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing (specialty classification under Mechanical) | Exam waiver46 Universal license recognition47 Military service members and spouses47 | States named for the waiver: Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama46 |
| Missouri | No state license48 | – | – |
| Nevada | Classification C-1: Plumbing and Heating Contracting | License by endorsement49 Military service members and spouses50 | Arizona, California, Florida and Tennessee49 |
| New Hampshire | Journeyman Plumber | Universal license recognition51 Exam waiver52 | Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming51 |
| New Jersey | Journeyman Plumber (registration) | No route published | – |
| New Mexico | JP Journeyman plumber | No route published | – |
| New York | No state license53 | – | – |
| North Carolina | Private Educational Institution Plumbing Technician | No reciprocity54 | – |
| North Dakota | Journeyman Plumber | Reciprocity agreements55 License by endorsement56 Military service members and spouses56 | South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana55 |
| Ohio | Plumbing contractor (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board state license) | Reciprocity agreements57 Universal license recognition58 | Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia57 |
| Oklahoma | Journeyman Plumber (unlimited) | Reciprocity agreements59 Exam waiver60 | Arkansas61 |
| Oregon | Journeyman Plumber (JP) | Reciprocity agreements62 | Idaho and Montana63 |
| Pennsylvania | No state license64 | – | – |
| Rhode Island | Journeyperson Plumber | License by endorsement65 | – |
| South Carolina | Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing subclassification (license issued to an entity by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, license groups 1-5) | Exam waiver66 Military service members and spouses67 | – |
| South Dakota | Plumber | License by endorsement68 Exam waiver69 | – |
| Tennessee | Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) | No reciprocity70 Military service members and spouses71 | – |
| Texas | Journeyman Plumber License | Reciprocity72 Other route73 Military service members and spouses74 | Louisiana and Arkansas72 |
| Utah | Journeyman Plumber | Universal license recognition75 | – |
| Vermont | Journeyman Plumber | Reciprocity agreements76 Universal license recognition76 Exam waiver76 | No list on the pages cited |
| Virginia | Journeyman Plumbing (PLB) | Reciprocity agreements77 Universal license recognition78 Exam waiver79 Military service members and spouses80 | Maryland77 |
| Washington | Journey level plumber (PL01) | Reciprocity agreements81 Temporary license or permit82 Exam waiver82 | Idaho81 |
| West Virginia | Journeyman Plumber | License by endorsement83 Universal license recognition84 | – |
| Wisconsin | Journeyman Plumber | License by endorsement85 Exam waiver85 | – |
Each state's own board decides whom it accepts. Before you move, read the conditions on the state page and confirm with the board.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Out of State ApplicantsAlabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 720-X (board compilation Jan 2026)Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Alabama § 34-37-6Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Licenses and RequirementsAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated November 2, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 8 AAC 90 Certificates of fitnessAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
- MI ReciprocityAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated October 21, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Out-of-State Waiver Request Form RC-L-200GArizona Registrar of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- A.R.S. 32-4302 Out-of-state licenses; universal recognitionArizona State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Service Members and VeteransArizona Registrar of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Rules Pertaining to Master, Journeyman, and Restricted Plumber Licenses (Plumbing Licensing Rules)Arkansas Department of HealthDated September 5, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing & Natural Gas - Arkansas Department of HealthArkansas Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity RequirementsContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocal Classifications ListContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2024Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- DPO license types datasetColorado Information Marketplace (data.colorado.gov), DORA Division of Professions and Occupations license types datasetChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing and Pipefitting WorkConnecticut Department of Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Journeyperson - Equivalent Out of State LicenseConnecticut Department of Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- New License (Plumber)Delaware Division of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- Professional License Services for Military PersonnelDelaware Division of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- § 47–2853.12. License, certification, and registration criteria; waiver. | D.C. Law LibraryCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
- Endorsement as Individual or Qualify a Business - Certified Plumbing Contractor (CILB 10)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity-06 list of reciprocal statesFlorida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- Professional Licensure for Military Personnel/Veterans/Military Spouses (MVL 003) - Certified PlumbingFlorida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers FAQGeorgia Secretary of State, State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman PlumbersChecked November 7, 2026
- Electrician and Plumber License Requirements and Application (PVL form 2026-06)Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (Board of Electricians and Plumbers)Checked November 7, 2026
- legislature.idaho.govIdaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 225 ILCS 320 Illinois Plumbing License Law (full act)Illinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Licensing InformationIndiana Professional Licensing AgencyChecked November 7, 2026
- Master Level LicenseIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
- 481 IAC ch. 430 Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board—Alternative Licensure PathwaysIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Journey Level LicenseIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
- Business Starter Kit: ConstructionKansas Business CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- KRS 318.040 QualificationsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated June 29, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions (Plumbing)Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionChecked November 7, 2026
- TEXAS Reciprocal Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas ApplicationState Plumbing Board of LouisianaChecked November 7, 2026
- R.S. 37:1369Louisiana State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Welcome Home ActState Plumbing Board of LouisianaChecked November 7, 2026
- License ReciprocationState Plumbing Board of LouisianaChecked November 7, 2026
- 32 M.R.S. §3504-AMaine State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing board page plrecipMaryland Department of Labor, State Board of PlumbingChecked November 7, 2026
- COMAR 09.20.02.03Maryland Division of State Documents (COMAR)Checked November 7, 2026
- 248 CMR 11.00 Education and experience standards and requirements for licensure (Mass. Register #1559,…Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries (Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters regulation)Dated October 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407 (MCL 339.5101-339.6133), full act PDFMichigan Legislature (Legislative Council)Dated May 16, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing reciprocityMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing license basicsMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Reciprocity Instructions and Form (updated 07-2025)Mississippi State Board of ContractorsDated July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Commercial ApplicationMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- RSMo 341.010 Plumbers must have certificatesMissouri Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
- Licensure by EndorsementNevada State Contractors BoardDated February 11, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Veterans Assistance ProgramNevada State Contractors BoardDated July 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- New Changes to Reciprocity in New HampshireNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
- CHAPTER Mec 300 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (Mechanical Licensing Board rules)New Hampshire General Court (Administrative Rules, Mechanical Licensing Board)Checked November 7, 2026
- General City Law § 45New York State Senate (Open Legislation, official consolidated laws)Checked November 7, 2026
- Applicant InformationState Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Master/Journeyman Plumber ApplicationNorth Dakota State Plumbing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- OCILB Contractors & Contracting CompaniesOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, Ohio Construction Industry Licensing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code section 4740.06Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated December 29, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Arkansas Plumbing Reciprocity AgreementConstruction Industries BoardDated December 2, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- OAC 158:30 Plumbing Industry RegulationsConstruction Industries BoardDated October 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Arkansas Plumbing Reciprocal License ApplicationConstruction Industries BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- OAR 918-695 Plumbing Licensing and CertificationOregon Secretary of State (Oregon Administrative Rules Database)Checked November 7, 2026
- Individual license typesOregon Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Contractor Licensing (state and local requirements pertaining to certain contractors)Pennsylvania Department of Labor & IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
- Licensing of Plumbers, Irrigators and Water System Installers (260-RICR-30-15-9)Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 11 - ContractorsSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 1 - Professions and OccupationsSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- SDCL ch. 36-25 - PlumbersSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- ARSD art. 20:53 - Plumbing Commission (licensing, fees, CE)South Dakota LegislatureDated November 3, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- How to Get a License: ContractorTennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, Board for Licensing ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0680-01 LicensingTennessee Secretary of State, Official Compilation of Rules and Regulations (Board for Licensing Contractors)Dated November 18, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocal License Verification FormTexas State Board of Plumbing ExaminersChecked November 7, 2026
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301. PlumbersTexas LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Administrative Rules March 2026 (22 TAC Part 17, ch. 361-367)Texas State Board of Plumbing ExaminersDated March 13, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Utah Admin. Code R156-55c Plumber Licensing Act RuleUtah Office of Administrative RulesDated January 15, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 26 V.S.A. chapter 39 (Plumbers and Plumbing), full chapterVermont General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Tradesmen reciprocal agreementsVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Tradesman Universal License Recognition Application A501-2710ULRVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for ContractorsDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC50-30-70Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
- Military and Veterans ServicesVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumber Certification (Becoming a Plumber)Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Plumber Certification ProgramChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumber ExaminationWashington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Plumber Certification ProgramChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumber legislative rule (42CSR34) as posted by DOLWest Virginia Division of LaborDated May 1, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §21-17-4West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- DSPS journeyman-plumber other application methodsWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026