How to Verify a Texas Plumber's License Before Hiring

Decision guide

How to decide what happens next

Start by identifying whether the issue is isolated to one fixture or affects several drains. If the problem is spreading, includes dirty water, or risks property damage, treat it as urgent and request provider guidance.

Checklist

How to check a plumber's license status in Texas

Texas plumbers are licensed through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), which maintains a free public search covering every license type. Here is the actual process.

• Go to the TSBPE's Public License Search (accessible from tsbpe.texas.gov under 'Find a license/registration', or directly at vo.licensing.hpc.texas.gov/datamart/selSearchType.do).
• Choose Search by Name if you only have a company or individual name, or Search by License Number if you have it - TSBPE recommends license number search when available for the most precise match.
• Select 'Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' from the Board dropdown, then choose 'Plumbing - Licensed or Registered'.
• Review the license status shown: current or expired, along with the expiration date and effective rank date.
• Check for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) status and expiration date, which is separate from the license itself and required for anyone contracting plumbing work to the public.
• Note the license rank - Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, or Apprentice - since a company offering plumbing services must have a licensed Responsible Master Plumber associated with it, not just any plumber on staff.
• Check the Disciplinary Actions section if present, which TSBPE makes available with downloadable documentation for any formal complaints.

Verification

What the license rank actually means for who's doing your work

• A Master Plumber has the highest individual license rank and can supervise others, but a company itself still needs a designated Responsible Master Plumber on file with TSBPE to legally contract plumbing work to the public.
• A Journeyman Plumber can perform plumbing work but typically under a Master Plumber's supervision depending on the specific task and local requirements.
• A Tradesman Plumber-Limited Licensee has a more restricted scope of work than a Journeyman or Master.
• An Apprentice is registered, not independently licensed, and should be working under direct supervision.
• If you can't find a company's Responsible Master Plumber listed, that's worth asking about directly before authorizing work.