Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License Types | Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber |
Regulating Agency | Alabama Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board (PGFB) |
Required Experience | Journeyman: 2 years as Apprentice; Master: 1 year as Journeyman |
Exams | Journeyman & Master: Trade; Master also requires Business Law exam (2026) |
Renewal | Annually; October 1 to December 31 each year |
Continuing Education | Required prior to renewal; age 65+ exempt |
Fees | Verify fee amounts at PGFB official site (not published online as of 2026) |
Official Links | Board homepage | How to Become Licensed | Exams page | Forms |
Who Needs a License in Alabama?
Most plumbing work in Alabama requires an active license issued by the Alabama Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board. If you plan to contract for, offer, advertise, or perform plumbing or gas fitting installation, you are required to hold the appropriate license. This requirement applies regardless of project size or dollar amount, as there is no threshold exemption by contract value.
Licensing covers most types of plumbing work, including installation, repair, replacement, or alteration of plumbing systems. Some exceptions exist: for instance, a homeowner may perform work on their own property (not for hire), and certain drain cleaning, fixture replacement, and maintenance plumbing done by employees on their employer’s property may be exempt. However, property owners performing plumbing must not offer such services to the public, and handymen may not bypass the law for projects outside the exempt scope.
Importantly, employees may work under a company license, but any firm engaged in plumbing must have a Principal Master Plumber registered with the Board. Journeyman Plumbers cannot contract independently; they must be employed by a registered company. Subcontractors must comply with the same licensing requirements. For further details and specific exemption rules, review the PGFB FAQ and state law PDF.
Plumbing License Types
Alabama offers three main classifications under its plumbing license requirements. Each type allows a different scope of work and has unique prerequisites.
Apprentice Plumber: For individuals learning the trade. Apprentices must register with the Board and work under supervision. Registration renews annually.
Journeyman Plumber: After at least two years as an apprentice (or equivalent documented experience), an individual may apply for Journeyman status. Journeymen may install, repair, and replace plumbing systems, but must work for a registered plumbing company and may not contract independently.
Master Plumber: A Journeyman with at least one year’s experience may seek Master classification. Masters may plan and supervise plumbing projects, contract for work, and are responsible for company registrations. Only Masters may serve as the Principal Master for a firm engaging in plumbing contracting.
Progression through these license types is strictly sequential: applicants must start as apprentices, accumulate the required experience, and pass each exam stage before advancing. Parallel classifications exist for Gas Fitters, but are administered separately from plumbing licenses. Review full scope tables for each class at the PGFB site.
How to Get Licensed: Plumbing license requirements in Alabama
Applicants must follow Alabama’s step-by-step process to meet Plumbing license requirements in Alabama. Each license stage involves specific actions and documentation.
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Register as an Apprentice. Submit an identification and apprentice registration application using the forms on the Board’s website under the Applicants tab. Annual registration is mandatory during apprenticeship.
Gain Required Experience. Work as a registered apprentice for at least two years (or document equivalent experience if applying from out-of-state).
Apply for the Journeyman Exam. After two years, submit a completed exam application for the Journeyman Plumber exam. Use the correct forms from the Board’s Forms page.
Pass the Journeyman Exam. Schedule your test with Prov, Inc. (the Board’s provider), attend the exam, and pass the required content. Obtain official documentation of your passing score.
Apply for Certification. Within 90 calendar days of passing the exam, submit the Journeyman Certificate application (including all prescribed documents and fees) to PGFB. Failure to apply within 90 days results in forfeiting qualification and requires retesting.
Gain Experience as a Journeyman. Serve at least one year as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. Experience must be continuous and fully documented for Master consideration.
Apply for the Master Exam (and Business Law Exam starting 2026). Submit a Master exam application, which, beginning in 2026, includes a trade exam and a separate Business Law exam. Obtain the relevant application form from the Forms page.
Pass the Exams and Apply for Master Certification. Both exam scores must meet Board standards. Then apply for Master certification within 90 days.
Register Plumbing Company (if contracting independently). A company must be registered and designate a Principal Master. File company registration documents as required.
All required application forms, including Board Appearance Request (for training/experience waivers) and experience verification templates, are found at PGFB Forms. Review processing times and detailed instructions carefully. Applicants should use the ProvEXAM portal for test scheduling and confirm deadlines with the Board for certification submission.
Apprentice Registration
You begin by completing the Board’s Apprentice Registration form, supplying basic personal and employment information. Each year, you must renew apprentice status until you are eligible to seek the Journeyman license.
Testing and Timelines
Journeyman and Master testing is managed by Prov, Inc. After the Board approves your exam application, Prov will help you schedule a test date. Immediate pass/fail results are provided. However, you must apply for certification within 90 days after passing. Otherwise, you must re-apply and retest.
Application Requirements
To satisfy Plumbing license requirements in Alabama, you must meet distinct application criteria at each license stage. While some requirements are explicitly stated, others are not specified by the Board or statute.
Experience and Age
The main experience prerequisites are:
Journeyman: Minimum of two years as a registered Apprentice, or equivalently documented work experience acceptable to the Board. Employers or supervisors will need to validate your history using Board forms.
Master: Minimum of one year as a certified Journeyman.
No minimum age or citizenship requirement is listed in the available PGFB documentation. Status must be verified with the Board before submitting your materials.
Bond and Insurance
As of 2026, the Board does not specify any required bonding or insurance details (such as general liability or worker’s compensation minimums) for either individual or company licensing on their website. Contractors should verify at PGFB official site for updates or call the Board if bidding larger commercial projects.
Background Check and Other Certifications
The PGFB does not currently require fingerprinting, criminal background checks, or federal environmental certifications such as EPA Section 608 for plumbing licensure. Always double-check current requirements for any recent law changes on the Board homepage.
Plumbing License Requirements in Alabama: Exams
Alabama’s Plumbing license requirements include passing exams at both the Journeyman and Master levels. As of January 1, 2026, Master Plumber candidates will take both a trade exam and a Business Law exam.
Exam Format and Provider
The Board contracts Prov, Inc. to administer license exams. All exams are open-book, allowing you to reference relevant code books while testing. You must schedule your exam directly through the ProvEXAM portal after the Board approves your application.
Journeyman Plumber Exam: Covers trade theory, practice, state code, and safety. Applicants must pass to qualify for certification. The official pass mark is not disclosed for Alabama exams. However, for out-of-state reciprocity, a 70% or higher is required.
Master Plumber Exam: Includes a comprehensive trade portion and, from 2026 onward, a required Business Law exam covering topics such as contracting, state law, and business responsibilities.
After finishing your exam, you receive immediate results from Prov. Official scores are transmitted directly to the Board. The Exams page details exam logistics.
The Board requires that all applicants become certified (submit final paperwork with fees) within 90 days of passing. Otherwise, the applicant must retest per Alabama law (Code §34‑37‑6(g)).
Fees
The Board requires payment of prescribed fees for all stages of application, examination, and license renewal. However, as of 2026, fee amounts are not listed on any publicly available PGFB page. Applicants and employers must contact the Board or await written notifications for current fee schedules. For fee verification, consult the PGFB official site or check individual application forms as published.
Application Fee: Not specified, verify at PGFB.
Exam Fee: Not specified, verify at PGFB.
Initial Certification Fee: Not specified, verify at PGFB.
Annual Renewal Fee: Not specified, verify at PGFB.
If you require a complete and up-to-date list of all fees for each license type, submit an inquiry using Board contact information at pgfb.alabama.gov.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Plumbing license requirements in Alabama include a strict annual renewal and continuing education (CE) policy. You must renew your certificate every year by the end of the renewal period.
Annual Renewal Period
The renewal window runs every year from October 1 through December 31. Failure to renew by this deadline classifies your license as late; late renewal incurs penalties as determined by the Board. Always confirm renewal deadlines on the PGFB homepage.
Continuing Education requirements
All active licensees are required to complete Board-approved CE before renewal. The Board reviews and certifies providers listed via the Continuing Education Provider application, available at PGFB Forms. If you do not complete CE by the deadline, you must submit a deficiency plan for review. You may not perform work as a plumber or gas fitter until your license is current and all CE requirements satisfied.
Over-65 Exemption
Licensees who are age 65 or older as of January 1 of the licensing year are exempt from CE requirements for that year, starting in 2025. Review Rule 720-X-21-.09 for the official text.
Lapsed Licenses
If you allow your license to lapse (by missing renewal), you must file an affidavit for active status and pay any required fees. Only after Board approval can you resume work or offer plumbing services. Review the lapsed license process under Board law at PGFB law PDF.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity provisions in Alabama allow some out-of-state licensees to obtain licensure more efficiently.
Plumbers licensed as Journeymen in another state may sit for the Alabama exam under limited reciprocity if these conditions are met:
Your foreign license is active and in good standing.
Your original exam score was at least 70%.
The original exam was required for initial license.
You provide an official verification form sent directly from your out-of-state licensing agency to the Alabama Board using the specific application form.
Alabama also has an emergency endorsement provision for out-of-state licensees, allowing temporary licensure during declared state emergencies (see Code §34-37-6(i)). The Board does not maintain a formal list of states with automatic reciprocity, and endorsement is handled case-by-case pending documentation review. For the most current instructions on seeking endorsement, use the Applicant Guide page and board contact information.
Official Links
Alabama Administrative Code 720-X-21-.09 (CE Exemption Rule)
