Types of Licenses

Apprentice Plumber

The Apprentice Plumber license allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or contractor to gain hands-on experience in the plumbing trade.

Requirements:

  • At least 16 years old
  • Registered with the state
  • Works under supervision

No exam is required for the Apprentice license. You learn on the job and in the classroom.

Journeyman Plumber

The Journeyman Plumber license allows you to work independently without supervision. You can also supervise apprentices.

Requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • 3 years of work experience
  • Passing score on trade exam

Journeymen gain experience working under a contractor before testing.

Plumbing Contractor

The Plumbing Contractor license allows you to operate your own plumbing business in Oklahoma. You can pull permits, hire staff, bid on public contracts, and work independently.

Requirements:

  • At least 19 years old
  • 4 years of work experience
  • Trade and business/law exams
  • Liability insurance and bonding

Contractors must first work under a licensed plumber to gain experience before testing.

License Requirements

To become a licensed plumber at any level in Oklahoma, you must:

  • Be the minimum age (16 for apprentice, 18 for journeyman, 19 for contractor)
  • Prove your identity and citizenship by providing a Social Security Number, birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents
  • Meet experience requirements through on-the-job hours or trade school
  • Pass required exams with a 75% or higher
  • Maintain insurance and bonding (contractors only)

Detailed Experience Requirements

  • Apprentice – No previous experience required
  • Journeyman – 3 years of full-time work experience under a licensed plumbing contractor
  • Contractor – 4 years of full-time work experience, including:
  • 3 years as a registered apprentice
  • 1 year as a licensed journeyman

Meeting experience requirements is essential to qualify for licensing exams and practice legally. The Construction Industries Board and local jurisdictions verify your work history when reviewing license applications.

There are a few ways to substitute technical education for a portion of the hands-on experience:

  • Graduating from a 1,000 hour plumbing program can substitute for 2 years toward the journeyman license
  • A 500 hour program counts for 1 year
  • Shorter programs of 375, 334, or 250 hours also substitute partial credit

The Board maintains a list of approved trade schools offering programs that meet hourly requirements.

Equivalent military service in plumbing systems technology and maintenance can also count toward journeyman and contractor experience requirements. You must provide documentation of your training.

Plumbing Exams in Oklahoma

Two exams are required for plumbing licensure in Oklahoma:

Journeyman Plumber Exam

  • 85 questions
  • 180 minute time limit
  • Open book
  • Covers plumbing code, systems, fixtures, and safety
  • Passing score of at least 75%

Plumbing Contractor Exam

  • Trade exam (same as journeyman)
  • Business and law exam
  • 50 questions
  • 120 minute time limit
  • Covers regulations, management, accounting, insurance, licensing, and HR
  • Passing score of at least 75% on each section

You must pass the required exam(s) to receive your license. Journeymen take only the trade exam. Contractors take the trade exam and business/law exam.

PSI Services administers the licensing exams on behalf of the state at testing centers located in:

  • Oklahoma City
  • Tulsa
  • Lawton
  • McAlester
  • Woodward

You will schedule your specific exam date, time, and location through PSI after the Board approves your license application.

Each exam costs $100 payable directly to PSI Services. This fee covers your first attempt. Retakes also cost $100 each.

Topics covered on the plumbing trade exam include:

  • General plumbing knowledge
  • Code regulations
  • Piping systems
  • Fixtures
  • Water supply
  • Drains and sewers
  • Gas fundamentals
  • Safety

The business and law exam covers:

  • Estimating and bidding
  • Financial accounting
  • Insurance requirements
  • Payroll and HR
  • Licensing laws
  • Management and supervision

PSI provides a breakdown of all topics covered and the number of questions per topic online. Exam prep courses and books can help you study.

Insurance and Bonding Requirements

All plumbing contractors licensed in Oklahoma must carry:

  • $5,000 surety bond – Provides financial protection to consumers if the contractor fails to complete work or violates regulations. Often purchased through insurance agents or brokers for less than $200 per year.
  • Minimum $50,000 commercial general liability insurance – Covers third party bodily injury and property damage claims. Premiums vary based on location and experience. Can be obtained through most insurance carriers.

You must have current proof of the bond and insurance on file when applying for a new contractor license. Coverage must be maintained continuously to remain licensed.

Journeymen and apprentices do not have insurance requirements. Their work is covered under the contractor’s policies. Learn more about Oklahoma Plumbing Insurance Guide & Quotes to protect your business from financial risks.

Getting Licensed Step-By-Step

Follow these detailed steps to earn your Apprentice, Journeyman, or Contractor license:

Apprentice Plumber License

  1. Find a licensed plumbing company to hire and train you as a plumber’s helper or apprentice. Many contractors post apprenticeship job openings online and are willing to train new recruits with no experience. Call local plumbing companies to inquire.
  2. Register with the state by submitting an Apprentice Registration form and paying the $25 fee. This is required within 90 days of starting work.
  3. Renew your registration annually for at least 2 years while gaining hands-on plumbing experience under supervision. Download the renewal form. The renewal fee is $25 each year.

That’s it! No exam is required for the Apprentice Plumber license. You will gain the required experience working full-time under a licensed plumber. Expect the apprenticeship period to last 1-3 years depending on your skill progression.

Journeyman Plumber License

  1. Work under a licensed plumbing contractor for at least 3 years full-time, registered as an apprentice. This hands-on experience is required before you can test. Employers will verify your hours.
  2. Apply for the Journeyman license by submitting an application form and paying the $75 fee. This signals your intent to test.
  3. Get approval to test after the Board reviews your application and documents. They will provide instructions to schedule your plumbing trade exam through PSI.
  4. Schedule your exam date/time/location by calling or booking online with PSI Services. The journeyman exam is offered at testing centers statewide. The $100 exam fee is paid directly to PSI.
  5. Take and pass the exam with a score of at least 75% to be awarded your Journeyman license. You will be notified of your results immediately after testing. If you fail, you can retest after 30 days.

Expect the journeyman licensing process to take 3-5 years including the required work experience. The exam is the final step after meeting the hourly requirements under a plumbing contractor.

Plumbing Contractor License

  1. Gain 1 full year of experience working as a licensed Journeyman Plumber to meet the eligibility requirements for contractor licensing. Work under a licensed plumbing company to build your skills.
  2. Apply for the Plumbing Contractor license by submitting the license application and paying the $330 fee.
  3. Get approval to test after all your documentation is reviewed. PSI Services will provide instructions to schedule your two licensing exams – the plumbing trade exam and business/law exam.
  4. Schedule and take your exams through PSI. You must pass both the trade portion and the business/law portion with scores of at least 75% to be licensed. If you fail any sections, wait 30 days before retesting. Exam fees apply.
  5. Obtain the required insurance and bond to meet Oklahoma’s minimum requirements:
  • $50,000 General Liability Insurance policy
  • $5,000 Surety Bond
  1. Submit proof of coverage to the Construction Industries Board to activate your contractor license. This is required for licensing.

Expect the contractor licensing process to take 4-6 years including working as a journeyman. You’ll gain well-rounded experience before testing.

Maintaining Your License

All plumbing licenses require annual renewal in Oklahoma. Active journeymen and contractors must also complete continuing education.

Renewal Requirements

Plumbing licenses expire on the last day of your birth month each year. To renew:

Keep your contact information current with the state. Renew before your birth month to remain active.

Continuing Education

Every 3 years when renewing, journeymen and contractors must complete:

  • 6 hours of continuing education

Approved courses cover codes, safety, emerging technology, business practices, and other important updates. We submit your course completion certificates directly to the state.

The education requirement keeps your knowledge and skills current. You cannot renew without the CE hours.

Expired Licenses

If your license expires, you cannot legally work until it is reinstated.

  • Apprentices and journeymen must pay renewal fees plus late penalties.
  • Contractors must reapply and retake the licensing exams after 1 year expired.

Avoid expiration by renewing annually on time. Keep your contact details up to date.

Reciprocity and Transferring Your License

Oklahoma has no formal reciprocity agreements with other states. However, the Construction Industries Board may grant you an Oklahoma license without retesting if:

  • Your home state has substantially similar licensing requirements and exams.
  • You have an active plumbing license in good standing.
  • You pass the Oklahoma plumbing trade exam.

The Board reviews each application for reciprocity individually to determine eligibility. Expect to still take at least one exam.

For contractors, you must also pass the business and law portion and meet insurance/bonding requirements to transfer your out-of-state license.

Resources

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board

PSI Examination Services

Oklahoma Trade Schools

Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions about obtaining a plumbing license in Oklahoma!