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How to become a licensed plumber in Florida. State-level licensing required. 8,000 apprenticeship hours required. Total initial fees: $388. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Governing Authority
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) - Construction Industry Licensing Board
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
90% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
2
License Levels
$388
Total Fees
14 hrs
CE Hours
Florida Plumbing Code (FPC)
Code Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) - Construction Industry Licensing Board
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 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
4 years / 8,000 hours of apprenticeship
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
Florida Plumbing Code (FPC)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee Plumbing contractor exam fee (PSI) | $139 |
Renewal Fee Certified Plumbing Contractor biennial renewal fee | $209 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total for application ($249) + exam ($139); does not include insurance or bond costs | $388 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
14
CE Hours Required
$209
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Certified Plumbing Contractor biennial renewal fee
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.
Florida licenses plumbing contractors through the DBPR/CILB, not individual plumbers. There are two tiers: Certified (statewide) and Registered (local jurisdiction only). Individual journeyman/master plumber licenses do not exist at the state level.
Florida does NOT license individual journeyman or master plumbers at the state level
The state licenses plumbing CONTRACTORS (Certified and Registered) through the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board
Certified Plumbing Contractors can work statewide; Registered Plumbing Contractors are limited to their local jurisdiction
Florida Building Code includes plumbing-specific provisions for hurricane resistance
4 years of experience required to sit for the contractor exam
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Florida.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#49 of 51
Cost
#38 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
$45,400
25th percentile
Median
$50,540
-20% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$61,670
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
26,730 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+41% salary growth potential
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Plumber (Journeyman)
$50,540
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$50,540
Master plumber license + contractor license
$71,040
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.
Source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation - Plumbing Contractors
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation - Plumbing Contractors
Study guides and code practice tests for the plumber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06
Florida requires state-level licensing. Complete 8,000 hours of apprenticeship to qualify. All licensing is managed through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) - Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.