TX Plumber cheat sheet

A Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) holds the master plumber license and is the license holder of record for a plumbing contracting business; the business operates under that license number.

Only a licensed plumbing contractor may advertise or contract to perform plumbing work; the RMP is accountable for all plumbing work performed under the business license.

Continuing education for license renewal is a fixed number of clock hours per renewal cycle, with a set portion devoted to the current plumbing code; verify the current cycle total before renewal.

A change of business name, address, or RMP of record must be reported to the state licensing board within the timeframe set by board rule, typically a short window such as 30 days.

The RMP is responsible for obtaining permits for work performed under the business license and for ensuring inspections are requested at required stages.

Insurance and bond requirements (general liability and, where required, workers' compensation) must remain in force for the license to stay active.

License discipline, including suspension or revocation, can attach to the RMP personally for code violations or unlicensed activity by the business.

A plumbing contractor license is not transferable; a new owner or new RMP requires a new or amended license application.

A master plumber license authorizes the holder to perform plumbing work and to supervise and employ journeyman and tradesman plumbers.

Master license eligibility generally requires documented years of verified journeyman-level experience plus passage of a master-level exam covering code and business practice.

Master plumbers may design and install plumbing systems and are responsible for code compliance of work performed under their supervision.

Renewal requires completing the required continuing education hours for the cycle; failure to renew by the deadline may require reinstatement or reexamination.

A master plumber supervising an apprentice must maintain the statutory journeyman-to-apprentice or master-to-apprentice ratio required by board rule.

Master plumbers may serve as the qualifying license holder for a plumbing contracting business, subject to separate contractor licensing.

Scope limits: a master plumber may not perform work outside the plumbing trade, such as regulated electrical or gas work, unless separately licensed.

A journeyman plumber license authorizes the holder to perform plumbing work independently under a master plumber or plumbing contractor.

Journeyman eligibility generally requires a set number of documented apprentice hours (commonly expressed in thousands of on-the-job hours) plus passage of the journeyman exam.

Journeymen may supervise apprentices and tradesman plumbers as allowed by board rule, but may not contract with the public as a plumbing business.

Journeyman license renewal requires completing continuing education hours each cycle, with a portion dedicated to code updates.

Journeymen must work under a licensed plumbing contractor or master plumber and cannot hold themselves out as a plumbing contractor.

Out-of-state or military experience may count toward journeyman eligibility where the board recognizes verifiable equivalent hours.

Journeyman licenses are individual and nontransferable; a journeyman working for a new employer does not need a new license.

The tradesman plumber-limited license authorizes a restricted scope of plumbing work, typically limited to work under the supervision of a master or journeyman plumber.

Tradesman-limited holders generally may not perform work requiring a journeyman or master license, such as complex system design or contracting with the public.

Eligibility typically requires fewer documented on-the-job hours than a journeyman license plus passage of the tradesman-limited exam.

Renewal requires the continuing education hours set for that license class each cycle.

Scope restrictions are defined by board rule; work outside the limited scope requires journeyman or master licensure.

A tradesman-limited license does not authorize the holder to operate a plumbing contracting business or obtain plumbing permits as a contractor.

A plumbing inspector enforces the adopted plumbing code by inspecting permitted work at required stages and issuing approvals or correction notices.

Inspectors must hold the inspector license or certification required by the jurisdiction and maintain continuing education for renewal.

Typical inspection stages include rough-in (before concealment), top-out, and final; concealed work must be inspected before covering.

Inspectors verify code compliance for materials, sizing, slope, venting, trap arm distances, and testing of drain and water systems.

A correction notice identifies code deficiencies and requires reinspection after corrections; work may not proceed past a failed stage.

Inspectors have authority to order tests (water, air, or smoke) and to require removal of noncompliant or unapproved installations.

Inspectors must apply the code edition adopted by the jurisdiction and cannot waive code requirements absent a formal variance process.

Plumbing apprentices must be registered with the state licensing board and work under a licensed supervising plumber.

Apprentice registration typically requires an employer or sponsor and enrollment in a board-approved apprenticeship or training program.

Apprentice on-the-job hours are logged and verified; documented hours count toward journeyman eligibility.

A maximum ratio of apprentices to licensed plumbers (journeyman or master) applies per board rule and must be maintained by the employer.

Apprentice registration must be renewed on the cycle set by the board; lapsed registration may not count toward licensure hours.

Apprentices may perform plumbing work only under supervision and may not contract with the public or obtain permits as a contractor.

Changes in employer or supervising plumber must be reported to the board so the apprentice's hour records remain valid.