How to Get Your
Oklahoma Plumbing License
Your complete guide to becoming a licensed plumber in Oklahoma. Learn about requirements, exams, costs, and the step-by-step process to launch your plumbing career.
Oklahoma Plumbing License Quick Facts
Minimum Age
18 years old
Experience Required
3-4 years depending on path
License Fee
$25 - $330
Licensing Authority
Oklahoma CIB
Renewal Period
Annual (birth month)
Continuing Education
6 hours/3 years
The plumbing industry is booming, and the data reported by the TMR study is a proof. As per the Transparency Market Research reports, the plumbing trade will achieve a market of US $91.9 billion by 2031. The CAGR is also estimated to grow at a rate of 4.7% from 2022 to 2031.
People around the world are increasingly spending their hard-earned money on plumbing products. They do this to upgrade their living. Since they found plumbing as one of the essential services, they are ready to get on their knees, and hire plumbers in any of the cases:
- when their sink is not working,
- drainage systems are not cleaned,
- any leakage is to be fixed, etc.
So, with each penny spent, they will demand quality service with certification. This is where budding Oklahoma plumbers like you, will be in need of acquiring the Oklahoma plumbing license.
Read this guide on how to become a licensed plumbing contractor in Oklahoma.
Is a License Required to Work as a Plumber in Oklahoma?
For a plumbing contractor in the state of Oklahoma, it is necessary to be a licensed contractor in order to continue working in the plumbing business legally.
As per the mission statement of CIB,
"The Mission of the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board is to protect the life and property of the locals, by licensing and inspection of the related trades for the health, safety, and welfare of the public",
you must be either licensed or must be working as an apprentice under the experienced & certified journeyman plumber, to continue working in the plumbing industry.
Oklahoma Licensing Authority
Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
CIBIssues state-level plumbing licenses including journeyman and contractor licenses
The Oklahoma construction industries board issues two types of state-level licenses which are:
- Plumbing journeyman license or
- Plumbing contractor license
Some cities in Oklahoma have different licensing requirements. So, if you are planning to work there, you need to check the requirements of the local jurisdictions as well.
For instance, in Oklahoma City, plumbing contractors are necessitated to pay the fees amounting $100, to register their state licenses with the city, so that they can continue practicing there.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Oklahoma
License Types Available
Choose Your License Path
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level position to learn the trade under supervision of a licensed journeyman or contractor.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Work under licensed journeyman or contractor
- Pay $25 application fee
Journeyman Plumber
Licensed professional able to work independently and supervise up to three apprentices.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- 3 years of plumbing experience
- Pass journeyman examination
Plumbing Contractor
Licensed to operate a plumbing business and take contracts from clients.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- 4 years total experience (3 years + 1 year as journeyman)
- Pass contractor examination
Requirements for Oklahoma Plumbing Licenses
Oklahoma CIB Requirements
Oklahoma Plumbing License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Get trained as an apprentice plumber under a licensed journeyman or contractor
- Keep a record of hours worked under the licensed journeyman (officially counted toward journeyman requirements)
- A journeyman can supervise up to three apprentices and act as the job foreman
2Journeyman Plumber
For experienced apprentices
Journeyman Plumber
For experienced apprentices
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Apply for the plumbing journeyman license through Oklahoma CIB with an affidavit of citizenship
- Pay the $75 application fee
- Meet one of the following experience requirements:
- • Minimum of 3 years working in plumbing trade under licensed journeyman, OR
- • Verifiable 3 years of plumbing experience while serving in U.S. military, OR
- • Verifiable out-of-state plumbing license that is current and in good standing
- Pass the journeyman plumbing examination
3Plumbing Contractor
For business owners
Plumbing Contractor
For business owners
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Meet one of the following experience requirements:
- • 3 years of experience in plumbing trade while employed by a licensed plumbing contractor, OR
- • 3 years of verifiable experience while serving in U.S. military, OR
- • Verifiable out-of-state plumbing license that is current and in good standing
- Additional 1 year of experience working as a licensed journeyman plumber
- Submit completed application and fees to the board
- Pass the contractor examination
- Submit proof of $5,000 Corporate Surety Bond payable to Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
- Submit certificate of insurance with minimum $50,000 general liability insurance
Education Substitution
As part of the plumbing experience requirement, educational programs can substitute for work experience:
- Associate degree or Career Tech diploma with minimum 1,000 classroom hours from a CIB-approved school may substitute for 2 years of experience
- Career Tech diploma with minimum 500 classroom hours from a CIB-approved school may substitute for 1 year of experience
Plumbing License Costs in Oklahoma
Oklahoma CIB Fees
Oklahoma Plumbing License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Application | — | $25 | $30 |
| Journeyman Application | $100 | $75 | $75 |
| Plumbing Contractor Application | $100 | $330 | $200 |
| Annual Renewal (after 90-day grace period) Late renewal penalty | — | $100 |
License Renewal Information
The Oklahoma plumbing license gets expired on the last day of the licensee's birth month every year. Make sure to renew on time to avoid late fees.
Oklahoma Plumbing Exam Details
PSI Exam Structure
Oklahoma Plumbing Examinations
80 questions covering plumbing theory and practice
80 questions covering business, law, and plumbing
Exam Specifications:
| Type of Exam | Passing Score | Duration | Number of Questions | |--------------|---------------|----------|---------------------| | Plumbing Journeyman | 75% | 180 minutes | 80 | | Plumbing Contractor | 75% | 180 minutes | 80 |
Applicants must pass the plumbing business and law exam, in addition to the plumbing contractor exam while obtaining the contractor license.
Oklahoma Plumbing License Reciprocity Agreements
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Plumbers
Oklahoma has plumbing license reciprocity agreements with the following states. You can apply for an Oklahoma plumbing license without passing the licensing exams if you hold a current plumbing license from one of these states for at least one year:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Montana
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wyoming
Application Requirements:
- Fill out the Reciprocal Journeyman License Application
- Pay application fee of $330 for plumbing contractor or $75 for plumbing journeyman
- Fee must be payable to the Construction Industries Board (CIB)
- Send completed application to: Construction Industries Board, 2401 NW 23rd, Suite 2f, Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Steps to Get Your Oklahoma Plumbing License
Step-by-Step Guide
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Plumber
Meet Basic Requirements
Be at least 18 years of age to start your plumbing career in Oklahoma.
Become an Apprentice Plumber
Get trained as an apprentice plumber under a licensed journeyman or contractor. Keep detailed records of your hours worked.
Plumbing Apprentice ApplicationComplete Required Experience
Gain 3 years of plumbing experience under a licensed journeyman or contractor. Alternatively, complete approved educational programs to substitute up to 2 years of experience.
Apply for Journeyman License
Submit your journeyman license application to Oklahoma CIB along with affidavit of citizenship and $75 application fee.
Journeyman Application FormPass the Journeyman Exam
Pass the PSI journeyman plumbing examination with a score of 75% or higher. The exam consists of 80 questions and you have 180 minutes to complete it.
Work as a Licensed Journeyman
Gain at least 1 additional year of experience working as a licensed journeyman plumber if you plan to become a contractor.
Apply for Contractor License
Submit your plumbing contractor license application along with the $330 application fee and required documentation.
Contractor Application FormPass the Contractor Exam
Pass both the plumbing contractor exam and the plumbing business and law exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Obtain Bond and Insurance
Submit proof of $5,000 Corporate Surety Bond and certificate of insurance with minimum $50,000 general liability insurance to the Oklahoma CIB.
Congratulations! You're a Licensed Contractor!
You can now legally operate a plumbing business and take contracts from clients in Oklahoma.
Alternative Path
You can also attain alternate licenses like Temporary Journeyman Application for a State of Emergency in special circumstances.
Brand Your Plumbing Business as a Professional
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Start Your FREE TrialPlumbing Trade Schools in Oklahoma
Oklahoma construction industries board has a list of plumbing trade schools that provide the plumbing related programs. The schools are approved by the Oklahoma construction industries board plumbing committee, and some of them are:
- 1201 W West willow, Enid, Oklahoma 73703
- Contact: (580) 242-2750
- 440 1st St., N.W., Ste., 200 Washington, D.C. 20001
- Phone: (202) 595-1505
- Email: gotquestions@abc.org
- IT support: support.abc.org
- 1621 Maple Dr, Midwest City, OK 73110
- Contact: (405) 739-1707
The Average Annual Salary of an Oklahoma Licensed Plumber
Oklahoma plumbers enjoy competitive salaries that increase with experience and licensing level:
| Type of Plumber | Average Salary Per Hour | Overtime Per Year | |-----------------|------------------------|-------------------| | Apprentice | $17.46 | $5,500 | | Journeyman | $28.17 | $6,750 |
Career Potential
As a journeyman plumber in Oklahoma, you can earn approximately $28.17 per hour on average, with additional overtime opportunities. Becoming a contractor and running your own business can significantly increase your earning potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my plumbing license in Oklahoma?
You need to submit a license renewal application to the Oklahoma construction industries board along with the renewal fees:
- For a journeyman: $75
- For a plumbing contractor: $200
Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month every year.
When do I need to renew my Oklahoma plumbing license?
The Oklahoma plumbing license gets expired on the last day of the licensee's birth month every year. Make sure to renew before this date to avoid late fees.
Are there any continuing education requirements for Oklahoma plumbing license holders?
Yes, for both a journeyman and a contractor, Oklahoma requires 6 hours of continuing education every 36 months (3 years) to renew the plumbing license.
Note: You are exempt from these continuing education requirements for a period of 3 years from the date you initially pass the current licensing exam.
Can I renew my Oklahoma plumbing license without fulfilling the continuing education requirements?
A licensee is exempt from continuing education requirements for a period of 3 years from the date they initially pass the current licensing exam. However, after that period, no contractor or journeyman license shall be renewed unless 6 hours of continuing education within the last 36 months (3 years) has been completed.
Can I work in Oklahoma with a plumbing license from another state?
Yes, if you hold a current plumbing license from one of Oklahoma's reciprocity states (Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, or Wyoming) for at least one year, you can apply for an Oklahoma license without taking the exam.
Do I need to register my state license with local jurisdictions?
Yes, some cities have additional requirements. For example, in Oklahoma City, plumbing contractors must pay $100 to register their state licenses with the city to practice there. Check with your local jurisdiction for specific requirements.
The Bottom Line
After going through the detailed guide on Oklahoma plumbing license, you are very well aware of how to get one. Without any further delay, follow the process mentioned in the blog, and get yourself certified.
Once you get over the whole licensing procedure and are finally ready to kick-start your plumbing business in Oklahoma, a leading estimating & invoicing software like InvoiceOwl can be your helping hand.
Career Advice
Aim to become a plumbing contractor and start your own plumbing business to maximize your earning potential. With journeyman plumbers in Oklahoma earning $28.17/hour on average, owning your own business can significantly increase your income while giving you the freedom to grow your enterprise.
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