Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board · checked 2026-10-21
Alabama Plumber License Requirements
Statewide journeyman and master plumber certificates (and parallel gas fitter certificates) issued by the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board. Master plumber: 3 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1JP · Journeyman plumber 2 years
- 2MP · Master plumber 3 years
License levels in Alabama
The Alabama path has 2 steps on this page: Journeyman plumber and Master plumber. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP Journeyman plumber | 2 years | — | 2 years | Yes | Not printed |
| MP Master plumber | 1 year at the prior level | — | 3 years | Yes | Not printed |
Journeyman plumber (JP)
Two years as a registered apprentice, or a board-approved apprentice training program combined with registered apprentice time totalling two years; then the board's journeyman exam. Fees are due within 90 days of passing. Source: Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, How do I become licensed?.
Master plumber (MP)
Certified as a journeyman plumber for at least one year, then the board's master plumber exam. Source: Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, How do I become licensed?.
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: Journeyman plumber and Master plumber. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
The Alabama source read prints no dollar amounts for this license. The board's page lists no dollar amounts.
Reciprocity
Out-of-state licensees may sit for the Alabama exams if their own license was based on an exam with a minimum score of 70%; the board keeps a separate reciprocation page that was not read. Source: Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, How do I become licensed?.
How Alabama compares
Among the 25 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top plumber credential, Alabama ranks 3 of 25 from shortest (2 years) to longest (9 years). Maine sets the same 3 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Ohio. All states side by side: Plumber license requirements by state.
Other trades in Alabama
- Electrician: Electrical contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Prime contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Alabama trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · How trade license exams work.
Questions
Who issues the plumber license in Alabama?
Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board. Statewide journeyman and master plumber certificates (and parallel gas fitter certificates) issued by the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
How long does it take to qualify for the Master plumber in Alabama?
3 years by this site's count. Certified as a journeyman plumber for at least one year, then the board's master plumber exam.
Does Alabama have plumber license reciprocity?
Out-of-state licensees may sit for the Alabama exams if their own license was based on an exam with a minimum score of 70%; the board keeps a separate reciprocation page that was not read.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board | 2026-10-21 |
| JP requirements | Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, How do I become licensed? | 2026-10-21 |
| MP requirements | Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, How do I become licensed? | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | Code of Ala. Title 34, Chapter 37 (board page; statute not read) | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Alabama source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.