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Skilled Trades license portability
Plumber license reciprocity by state
Plumber licenses are broadly portable across the US — 35 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law and business exam. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.
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35 via endorsement
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7 require exam
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7 not recognized
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2 no license required
Reciprocity tier legend
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
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Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Check with board
The state publishes no clear transfer rule. Contact the licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row shows the destination state's reciprocity tier, the board's own language behind it, and a link to the official state licensing board.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | edit_note Exam required | Alabama does not have general reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. However, effective January 1, 2026, there is a reciprocal agreement with the Mississippi Board of Contractors. Out-of-state license holders may be eligible to take the Alabama examination for an equivalent classification. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Alaska | edit_note Exam required | Alaska does not have reciprocal agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. However, if you completed a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship in another state, you will only need to pass the Alaska licensing exam. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arizona | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | California, Nevada, Utah (trade exam waived, SRE still required). Military spouses may qualify for license transfer from other states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arkansas has reciprocity agreements for Journeyman Plumber licenses with Oklahoma and Texas. Reciprocity may be considered on an individual basis for other states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| California | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada (trade exam may be waived, but Law and Business exam is still required) Official state board arrow_outward |
| Colorado | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Colorado does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. However, the State Plumbing Board allows for licensure by endorsement for applicants who can demonstrate substantially equivalent credentials and qualifications from another state, including an active state-issued license and verification of experience and examination based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | block Not recognized | None Official state board arrow_outward |
| Delaware | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Delaware offers reciprocity for Master Plumbers from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland without proof of experience. For Master Plumbers from Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia, proof of practicing a minimum of seven years after receiving licensure as a Master in the reciprocating jurisdiction is required. For any other state, the board must evaluate the licensure. Official state board arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maryland (Journeyman and Master Plumbers and/or Gasfitters) Official state board arrow_outward |
| Florida | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Florida does not offer full reciprocity for plumbing licenses. However, out-of-state contractors licensed for at least 10 years in another state may apply for endorsement without taking an exam, provided their license requirements are deemed equivalent to Florida's. Florida has reciprocity agreements for other contractor types with Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina, but plumbing is often a specialty license that does not fall under these agreements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Georgia | block Not recognized | None Official state board arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | block Not recognized | None Official state board arrow_outward |
| Idaho | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Montana, Oregon, Washington Official state board arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Illinois does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. However, plumbers with an active City of Chicago plumbing license may be able to obtain a state license without taking the examination if they completed a four-year licensed apprenticeship. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Indiana | block Not recognized | None Official state board arrow_outward |
| Iowa | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | South Dakota Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kansas does not have statewide reciprocity agreements for plumbing licenses with other states, as licenses are issued at the local level. However, the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP) evaluates out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis for licensure by endorsement, assessing if the licensing standards of the other state are substantially equivalent to Kansas requirements. Some local jurisdictions may have specific agreements, for example, journeyman plumbers from Arkansas and Texas who have been licensed for at least two years may submit a reciprocal application to the State Plumbing Board. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kentucky does not have universal reciprocity agreements. Reciprocity is determined on a case-by-case basis if the other state has a statewide plumbing code, the examination is equivalent to Kentucky's, and the other state agrees to reciprocate. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arkansas, Texas Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maine | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maine offers reciprocity to applicants from other states if their licensing standards and experience requirements are equivalent to Maine's, and if that state grants similar privileges to Maine licensees. The Board reviews factors like exam type, passing scores, and experience requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maryland | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Delaware (Master Plumber/Gasfitter only), Baltimore County, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), and District of Columbia (Journeyman and Master Plumber/Gasfitter). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, and Oregon Official state board arrow_outward |
| Michigan | edit_note Exam required | Michigan does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. Out-of-state plumbers must take the Michigan exam but can receive partial credit for prior experience by submitting notarized letters documenting their hours, years of work, and licensed supervision. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Dakota, South Dakota Official state board arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | edit_note Exam required | Mississippi has reciprocity agreements for trade exam waivers with Alabama (commercial plumbing only), Arkansas (mechanical and electrical excluded), Ohio, South Carolina (residential plumbing only), and Tennessee. All applicants must still pass the Mississippi Business and Law exam and meet all other application requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Missouri | block Not recognized | Missouri does not offer statewide plumbing license reciprocity with other states. However, a bill (HB2394) is in process to establish reciprocity between political subdivisions within Missouri for licenses obtained by passing an approved exam. |
| Montana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota (for Journeyman Plumber license only) Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | block Not recognized | Nebraska does not offer statewide plumbing license reciprocity with other states. Reciprocity between municipalities in Nebraska is handled on a case-by-case basis. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nevada | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nevada State Contractors Board may waive the trade exam for plumbing contractors licensed in Arizona, California, and Utah if they have held an active license for at least four years with no disciplinary actions. Journeyman plumber reciprocity is recognized with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Hampshire does not have active reciprocity agreements with other states, but may offer a streamlined path to licensure for out-of-state plumbers with similar licensing requirements. Journeyman plumber reciprocity is recognized with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Master plumbers from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland are automatically recognized. Those from Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia must provide proof of at least seven years of master-level work experience. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Jersey does not have formal reciprocal agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. However, the board may grant licenses to individuals licensed in other states through reciprocity if the licensing standards of the other state are comparable to New Jersey's and the other state reciprocates with New Jersey. The board provides a list of states it has previously reviewed for reciprocity, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming for journeyman licenses only. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New York | block Not recognized | New York does not have statewide reciprocity. Reciprocity agreements may exist between specific municipalities, such as within Nassau County. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | edit_note Exam required | North Carolina has a Technical Examination Waiver Agreement with South Carolina for plumbing contractors, but applicants must still pass the North Carolina business law exam. The Neighbor State Licensing Recognition Act may allow individuals licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia to be eligible for equivalent licensure in North Carolina, but they must pass the North Carolina business law exam. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana Official state board arrow_outward |
| Ohio | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arkansas Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Idaho, Montana Official state board arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | remove_circle_outline No license | Varies by local jurisdiction Official state board arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Rhode Island allows plumbers licensed by examination in other states to apply for licensure if their training and requirements are equivalent or greater than Rhode Island's. Applicants must provide proof of out-of-state licensure and training. Rhode Island does not have direct reciprocity agreements with specific states for plumbing licenses. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Iowa Official state board arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | edit_note Exam required | Tennessee has trade exam waiver agreements for the CMC-A license with Alabama (General, Electrical, Residential, HVAC), Arkansas (Commercial/Residential Building), Georgia (Electrical), Louisiana (Residential, Commercial, Electrical, Mechanical), Mississippi (Residential, Commercial, Electrical, Mechanical Unlimited), North Carolina (Residential/Commercial Building, Electrical), Ohio (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC), and South Carolina (Commercial only for Building, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing). Tennessee also accepts the NASCLA National Commercial and Electrical exam. These waivers are for the trade exam only; the Tennessee Business and Law exam is still required, and you cannot operate in Tennessee with another state's license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Texas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Louisiana (Journeyman with Gasfitter License) and Arkansas (Journeyman, with specific experience or exam requirements). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Utah | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Utah allows for licensure by endorsement for Journeyman, Residential Journeyman, Master, and Residential Master Plumbers from states with equivalent licensing requirements. Approved states for endorsement include Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Vermont | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Vermont does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. However, those with a journeyman, master, or specialist plumbing license in another state with similar licensing requirements may be exempt from the Vermont plumbing examination. The Board shall issue licenses for master plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and specialists who have been licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction within the United States for at least three years. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Virginia has an examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) for Journeyman and Master Plumbers. Additionally, Virginia offers Universal License Recognition for qualified out-of-state applicants who have been licensed for at least three years, passed an exam, met training standards, and have no disciplinary actions or disqualifying criminal record. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Washington | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Idaho (for journey level plumbers only). Other out-of-state plumbers must pass the Washington state plumber examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | West Virginia may waive the examination requirement for journeyman and master plumbers licensed in other states with equivalent licensing requirements, upon proof of qualifications and work experience. West Virginia has reciprocal agreements for plumbing *contractor* licenses with Ohio and Tennessee, but not for journeyman and master plumber certifications. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | edit_note Exam required | Wisconsin does not have reciprocity agreements with other states, but out-of-state applicants may be issued a license if they meet Wisconsin's requirements and pass the state's plumbing exam. For journeyman plumbers, this includes a five-year apprenticeship with a minimum of 576 instruction hours. For master plumbers, it requires a five-year plumbing apprenticeship with 576 instruction hours and three years of journeyman experience (1,000 hours annually). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | remove_circle_outline No license | Wyoming does not issue a state license, so there is no statewide reciprocity. Local jurisdictions may accept out-of-state plumbing experience, exams, or current licenses, but this varies by municipality. Some sources indicate Wyoming is listed among states that have reciprocity with New Hampshire for journeyman plumbers, but this is likely in the context of accepting out-of-state licenses at a local level rather than a statewide agreement. Official state board arrow_outward |
Plumber reciprocity: common questions
Does a plumber license transfer to another state?
Plumber licenses are broadly portable across the US — 35 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law and business exam. It depends on the destination state — see the state-by-state table above.
Which states license out-of-state plumbers by endorsement?
34 states and DC issue a new license by endorsement — an application, fees and verification of your current credential, typically without retaking the main exam: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states make plumbers take an exam to transfer?
7 states require a state exam or state-specific training before licensing an out-of-state plumber: Alabama, Alaska, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states don't require a state license for plumbers?
2 states do not license plumbers at the state level, so there is nothing to transfer — employers may still expect a national certification: Pennsylvania, Wyoming.
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-10-15
Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.
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