Plumber in Arkansas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Arkansas.
Jobs (AR)
10-yr job growth
Est. total cost
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in Arkansas
To become a licensed plumber in Arkansas, individuals must first register as an apprentice with the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. After completing a four-year apprenticeship with 8,000 hours of experience, aspiring plumbers can take the Journeyman Plumber exam. To advance to a Master Plumber license, an additional year of experience as a licensed Journeyman is required, followed by passing the Master Plumber examination. Arkansas offers reciprocity for Journeyman Plumber licenses with Oklahoma and Texas.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arkansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Arkansas requirements
| Licensing body | Arkansas Department of Health - Protective Health Codes |
| State license | Required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Experience | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Arkansas Journeyman/Master Plumber Exam ($75) |
| Application fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Reciprocity | Arkansas has reciprocity agreements for Journeyman Plumber licenses with Oklahoma and Texas.Reciprocal states: Arkansas has reciprocity agreements for Journeyman Plumber licenses with Oklahoma and Texas. Reciprocity may be considered on an individual basis for other states. |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprentice is 16 years old. Master Plumber requires 5 years of experience, with at least one year as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. A criminal background check may be required. Licenses expire annually on December 31st for Master, Journeyman, and Apprentice plumbers. Restricted plumber licenses expire on June 30th annually. |
Source: Arkansas Department of Health - Protective Health Codes
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Arkansas? See whether Arkansas recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Plumber license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium Arkansas license tiers
Arkansas offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 10,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleArkansas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Plumber head-to-head
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