Alabama Plumbing License: The Latest and Updated Guidelines

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The process to get an Alabama plumbing license is easy and straightforward. And today, we will make it even simpler by providing you with the latest and most accurate details.

To start with, the authority that encircles everything related to plumbing in this state is the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.

This means that all your communication to get a plumbing license in Alabama will be with this authority. So let’s commence your journey.

Types of Plumbing Licenses in Alabama

The state of Alabama classifies plumbers into the following three stages with a license for each stage:

Following are the types of plumbing licenses in Alabama as per various stages:

1. Apprentice

This is the start of your journey in the field of plumbing. And no, you can’t skip ahead directly to journeyman or master level. Once eligible, at the age of 18, you can apply to get an apprentice license.

As an apprentice plumber, you need to work directly under the supervision of a journeyman or a master plumber. At this stage, you can only assist them to provide any service, such as installing or repairing plumbing systems.

You can move on to become a journeyman after:

  • Completing two years of experience under the guidance or
  • Passing the board-approved apprentice training program

2. Journeyman

Journeyman defines the middle stage of plumbing in Alabama. After working as an apprentice, you can be granted to become a journeyman, given that you complete the process (stated ahead).

As a journeyman plumber, you can engage in all plumbing activities directly. But yet, you cannot take contracts or supervise such projects.

3. Master

After gaining experience of one year as a journeyman under a master, you can finally become a master plumber.

Once a master plumber, you get the rights to provide all the plumbing services along with starting a plumbing business on your own.

Now let’s look at the cost for various licenses.

Cost to Get a Plumbing License in Alabama

These are the costs for getting a plumbing license as per the latest updates on the website of the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board:

1. Apprentice license

  • Initial registration fee: $35
  • Annual renewal fee: $35
  • Late renewal fee: $35

No examination is required to become an apprentice plumber.

2. Journeyman license

  • Examination fee: $110 (non-refundable and charged for each attempt)
  • Initial application processing fee: $50 (charged when you receive the license)
  • Initial certificate fee: $75
  • Annual renewal fee: $75
  • Late renewal fee: $75

3. Master license

  • Examination fee: $160 (non-refundable and charged for each attempt)
  • Initial application processing fee: $50 (charged when you receive the license)
  • Initial certificate fee: $175
  • Annual renewal fee: $175
  • Late renewal fee: $175

Requirements to Get a Plumbing License in Alabama

1. Apprentice license

  • No written exam is to be taken
  • Minimum age of 18
  • Completed apprentice registration form
  • Completed and executed form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen
  • Required fees

Here is the link for both the required forms.

2. Journeyman license

  • Completed application for examination
  • Verifiable proof of two years of current work experience as an apprentice plumber or of completion of a board-approved apprentice training program
  • Completed and executed form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen
  • Required fees
  • Passing score on the examination

3. Master license

  • Completed application for examination
  • Verifiable proof of one year of experience as a journeyman plumber
  • Completed and executed form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen
  • Required fees
  • Passing score on the examination

The Process to Get a Plumbing License in Alabama

  • Step 1: Wait till 18 years of age.
  • Step 2: Submit the required forms with complete details: Apprentice registration form and form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen.
  • Step 3: Get two years of plumbing experience under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber. You can even get training from a board-approved training program to be eligible to become a journeyman plumber.
  • Step 4: Apply for and pass the journeyman plumber exam. The examination fee is $110 for each attempt.
  • Step 5: Now, apply for a journeyman plumber license. The initial journeyman plumber certificate will cost you $75. On top of that, you will have to pay an initial application processing fee of $50 upon obtaining your license.
  • Step 6: Get at least one year of plumbing experience as a journeyman plumber.
  • Step 7: Apply for and pass the master plumber exam. The examination fee is $160 for each attempt.
  • Step 8: Apply for a master plumber license. The initial master plumber certificate will cost you $175. Plus, you will have to pay an initial application processing fee of $50 upon obtaining your license.
  • Step 9: Voila! Now you have a master plumber certification.

Note: Remember to renew your respective licenses before the end of each year. Plumbing licenses in Alabama expire every 31 December.

Exam Details For Journeyman and Master Plumber

1. Journeyman plumber exam

It is an open-book examination.

  • Number of questions: 70
  • Passing percentage: 70%
  • Time: 3 hours

2. Master plumber exam

It is an open-book examination.

  • Number of questions: 100
  • Passing percentage: 70%
  • Time: 4 hours

The syllabus for both the examinations – journeyman and master – are the same, except that the master plumber exam also includes laws and rules.

Here is the syllabus for the Alabama plumbing exam as per Rocketcert:

  • Plumbing fixtures and terminology
  • Plumbing fundamentals
  • Traps, cleanouts, and interceptors
  • Drainage requirements
  • Water distribution
  • Vent requirements
  • Plan and analysis
  • Laws and rules (only for master plumber examination)

Important Note: Upon passing any of your plumbing exams, you have 90 days to obtain your license. If you failed to do so, you would have to give the exam again.

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Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Which plumbing services can you legally provide without any license?

    You cannot provide any plumbing service in Alabama without the required license. If found guilty, you will be penalized by the authority.


  2. Is the plumbing license of any other US state applicable in Alabama?

    No. Even if you have a plumbing license in any other US state, you have to apply for it to provide plumbing services in Alabama.


  3. What are the license requirements for out-of-state applications?

    If you have a plumbing certificate in any other US state, you may get a plumbing license for Alabama. These are the requirements for it:

    • Proof of US citizenship or proof of the lawful presence of a non-citizen.
    • Verification of the other state’s authority that the applicant is currently licensed at the corresponding stage of license requested in Alabama.
    • Verification of the other state’s authority that the applicant is in good standing and has no pending disciplinary actions in said state.
    • Passing the plumbing examination for Alabama state.

Conclusion

Here was all you need to know about Alabama’s plumbing license. So, are you ready to start your journey as a plumber or upgrade yourself to a level higher? We wish you all the best for it.

Once you become a professional plumber in the state of Alabama, all you need to ensure that you deliver professional services with complete satisfaction to your customers. To make creating estimates and invoices easier than ever, all you need is InvoiceOwl.

It is an all-in-one estimate and invoice software for plumbing businesses to create professional-looking estimates in a few simple taps. Don’t just believe our words, experience it yourself.

Author Bio
Jeel Patel
Jeel Patel
Founder

Jeel Patel is the founder of InvoiceOwl, a top-rated estimating and invoicing software that simplifies the invoicing and estimating processes for contractor businesses. Jeel holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Toronto, which has provided him with a strong foundation in business principles and practices. With understanding of the challenges faced by contractors, he conducted extensive research and developed a tool to streamline the invoicing and estimating processes for contractors. Read More

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