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How to become a licensed plumber in Alabama. State-level licensing required. 4,000 apprenticeship hours required. Total initial fees: $235. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Yes
State Licensed?
4,000
Apprentice Hours
3
License Levels
$235
Total Fees
4 hrs
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Code Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board
Apprenticeship Program
4,000
Total Hours
2 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
2 years minimum as registered apprentice (approximately 4,000 hours)
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
1-2 years as licensed journeyman plumber
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI
Plumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee (updated per audit 2026-03-22) | $35 |
Journeyman License Journeyman plumber license fee | $75 |
Master License Master plumber license fee | $100 |
Exam Fee Plumbing exam fee (updated per audit 2026-03-22) | $110 |
Renewal Fee Annual or biennial renewal fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total: apprentice registration ($35) + exam ($110) + journeyman license ($75) + renewal ($50) = ~$235 (updated per audit 2026-03-22) | $235 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
4
CE Hours Required
$50
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Renewal fee per 1 year
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Alabama maintains separate licensing tracks for plumbing and gas fitting, requiring separate exams for each specialty.
Alabama requires separate licensing for plumbers and gas fitters
Journeyman plumbers must work under a master plumber
License is required statewide for all plumbing work
CE requirement is 4 hours per renewal cycle (first required 2025)
Master plumber business law exam added effective January 1, 2026
Board URL changed from plumbersboard.alabama.gov to pgfb.alabama.gov
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alabama.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#46 of 51
Cost
#17 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152)
Entry Level
$44,110
25th percentile
Median
$53,840
-14% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$64,080
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
7,880 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" includes pipefitters and steamfitters in addition to plumbers. Wages for plumbers specifically may differ.
Source: BLS OEWS – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+27,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
39,200
per year (avg.)
510,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Plumbing Career Ladder+19% salary growth potential
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Plumber (Journeyman)
$53,840
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$53,840
Master plumber license + contractor license
$64,030
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–222 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and code practice tests for the plumber licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Official board URL — updated during plumber audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Former board URL, redirects to pgfb.alabama.gov
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06
Alabama requires state-level licensing. Complete 4,000 hours of apprenticeship to qualify. All licensing is managed through the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.