Plumber in California
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, California.
Jobs (CA)
10-yr job growth
Est. total cost
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in California
To become a licensed plumber in California, individuals must obtain a C-36 Plumbing Contractor license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). This requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and demonstrate four years of journeyman-level experience. After meeting these prerequisites, candidates must pass both the C-36 Plumbing Contractor Examination and the Law and Business Examination, undergo a criminal background check, and secure a contractor's bond. California has reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Louisiana, and Nevada, which may waive the trade exam for eligible applicants, though the Law and Business exam is still mandatory.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for California. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist California requirements
| Licensing body | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED equivalent |
| Experience | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | C-36 Plumbing Contractor Examination & Law and Business Examination ($100) |
| Application fee | $450 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. California does not have a separate journeyman or master plumber license; the C-36 is a contractor license. Projects valuing $500 or more require a C-36 license. Applicants must also pass a criminal background check (fingerprinting) and secure a contractor's bond ($25,000). |
workspace_premium California license tiers
California offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| C-36 Plumbing Contractor | 8,000 |
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_circleCalifornia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk