How to Obtain a Louisiana Plumbing License?

Have you decided to start your profession as a plumber in Louisiana?

To conduct the plumbing profession lawfully, plumbers in Louisiana are required to get a state-issued license. For that, the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana has specific criteria that must be met to finish a plumbing apprenticeship program and pass an examination. 

Additionally, in Louisiana, if you are performing specialty services whose value exceeds $10,000 in material and labor, then there is a need for you to be a licensed plumbing contractor. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) is responsible for issuing commercial contractor licenses.

To help you get a Louisiana plumbing license, we will go through all the necessary licensing requirements.

Levels of Louisiana Plumbing Licenses

1. Registered apprentice

Registered apprentices are only permitted to practice plumbing when they are directly and continuously overseen by a certified and licensed journeyman plumber on the project. 

A certified journeyman plumber will only manage and guide one trainee on one task at a time while providing direct, continuous on-the-job supervision.

2. Tradesman plumber

A tradesman plumber with a license is authorized to work independently on residential plumbing systems of one-and-two-family homes under the supervision of a Louisiana master plumber.

3. Journeyman plumber

A licensed journeyman plumber is competent in installing, maintaining, and fixing both new and existing plumbing systems while working either directly or indirectly under the supervision of a registered Louisiana master plumber.

4. Master plumber

A licensed master plumber is competent in installing, performing maintenance, and repairing both new and existing plumbing fixtures and systems. Additionally, he can hire registered apprentices and certified journeyman plumbers.

Requirements and Steps to Obtain a Plumbing Apprentice Registration

1. Apprenticeship program

• The Louisiana Workforce Commission regulates apprenticeship programs. 
• To enroll in an approved apprenticeship program, applicants need to get in touch with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
• After completing the program, they can then apply to the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana for their apprentice registration card.

2. What is the procedure for requesting an apprenticeship registration card?

• A completed apprentice registration application must be submitted to the State Plumbing Board.
• Along with the application, attach a valid proof of enrollment status from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
• The application must be fully and legibly filled out by the applicant, notarized, and include all required supporting documentation.
• Registration fee: The application must be accompanied by a $20 ($10.00 Fee + $10.00 Processing Charge) check or money order.
• Applications may be processed for up to 2 weeks after being received. A copy of the applicant’s Apprentice Registration Card will be delivered to the address specified on the application.

Requirements and Steps to Obtain a Valid Tradesman Plumber License

1. Basic requirements

An applicant must:

• Be a current apprentice registered by the State Plumbing Board.
• Have completed 4,000 hours of manual plumbing work under the direct, continuing, on-the-job guidance and supervision of a certified journeyman or master plumber.

2. Tradesman plumber license examination

a) Application submission

• Applications for the exam must be submitted at least 30 days before the examination date.
• The application must be fully and legibly filled out by the applicant, notarized, and include all required supporting documentation.
• The application must be accompanied by a $135 ($125.00 Exam Fee + $10.00 Processing Charge) check or money order.
• Applications may be processed for up to 2 weeks after being received. 
• A notification with the date, time, and venue of the examination will be mailed to the applicants.

b) Exam design

• Every year, exams are held in the months of May and November.
• The plumbing tradesman examination is divided into a one-part, 80-question written section lasting 3 hours and a 30-minute practical (hands-on) section.
• Written exam:
  The following sources serve as the foundation for the exam prep:
  • 2015 International Residential Code (IRC)
  • Louisiana Title 17, Construction (Last amended December 2019)
  • Louisiana Title 46, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part LV. Plumbers (October 2018)
• Practical exam:
  The exam’s practical section entails the following:
  • Screw Pipe Project
  • Copper Project

c) What happens when an applicant passes or fails the examination?

On passing the exam:

• Each candidate who passes the exam will be asked to fill out the Initial Tradesman License form.
• Submit the form along with a $40 license fee. 
• Once candidates have been granted a license, they must renew it through the State Plumbing Board before December 31 of each year in order to avoid late fines. 
• They must also complete continuing education credits each year through an approved source.

On failing the exam:

• Each candidate who fails the exam will be informed of their failing scores and given a Retake Form so they can request a new exam date.
• The passing score is valid for 1 year if a candidate passes one portion but not the other. 
• In order to maintain the passing score, the candidate must retake the test within that time frame.

Requirements and Steps to Obtain a Valid Journeyman Plumber License

1. Basic requirements

A candidate must fulfill one of the following conditions in order to be eligible for examination:

• The candidate must be a currently registered apprentice with the State Plumbing Board. Also, he must have finished the apprenticeship program or otherwise be in the final year of it.
• A candidate must have 5 years of W-2s OR 8,000 hours of official payroll paperwork from Louisiana’s licensed plumbing company to prove that they have worked under the direct, on-the-job supervision of a journeyman or master plumber for the required amount of time.

2. Journeyman plumber license examination

a) Application submission

• Candidates must submit their Louisiana journeyman plumber exam applications at least 30 days before the exam date.
• The application must be fully and legibly filled out by the applicant, notarized, and include all required supporting documentation.
• The application must be accompanied by a $135 ($125.00 Exam Fee + $10.00 Processing Charge) check or money order.
• Applications may be processed for up to 2 weeks after being received. 
• A notification with the date, time, and venue of the test will be mailed to the applicants.

b) Exam design

• Every year, exams are held in January, April, July, and October.
• The Louisiana journeyman plumber exam is divided into a one-part, 80-question written test that runs for 3 hours and a 1-hour practical (hands-on) test.
• Written exam:
  The following sources serve as the foundation for the exam prep:
  • 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
  • 2015 International Residential Code (IRC)
  • Louisiana Title 17, Construction (Last amended December 2019)
• Practical exam:
  The exam’s practical section includes the following:
  • Floor Plan Project
  • Screw Pipe Project
  • Copper Project

c) What happens on passing or failing the examination?

On passing the journeyman exam: 

• Each candidate who passes the exam will be asked to fill out the initial journeyman license form.
• Submit the form along with a $50 license fee. 
• Once candidates have been granted a license, they must renew it with the State Plumbing Board before December 31 of each year in order to avoid late fees. 
• They must also complete continuing education credits each year through an approved source.

On failing the exam:

• Each candidate who fails the exam will be informed of their failing scores and given a Retake Form so they can request a new exam date. 
• The passing score is valid for 1 year if a candidate passes one portion but not the other. 
• In order to retain the passing score, the candidate must retake the examination within that time frame.

Requirements and Steps to Obtain a Valid Master Plumber License

1. Basic requirements

A candidate must fulfill one of the following conditions in order to be eligible for examination:

• The candidate has to hold a valid journeyman plumbing license.
• A valid license from the Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board that certifies or registers you as a professional engineer is required for the application. When applying, engineers with current licenses must present a copy of their document.

2. Master plumber license examination

a) Application submission

• Candidates must submit their master plumber exam applications at least 30 days before the exam date.
• The application must be fully and legibly filled out by the applicant, notarized, and include all required supporting documentation.
• The application must be accompanied by a $110 ($100.00 Exam Fee + $10.00 Processing Charge) check or money order.
• Applications may be processed for up to 2 weeks after being received. 
• A notification with the date, time, and venue of the test will be mailed to the applicants.

b) Exam design

• Every year, exams are held in February, May, August, and November.
• The master plumber exam comprises a written test that has 3 parts.
• Part I of the test, which has 80 questions and typically takes 3 hours, is centered on the following reference materials:
  • 2015 International Plumbing Code
  • 2015 International Residential Code
  • Louisiana Title 17: Construction (December 2019)
• Part II of the test is of 2 hours and consists of 25 questions. Its subject matter is as follows:
  • Title 51 Public Health Sanitary Code (Part 13)
• Part III of the test is of 2 hours and consists of 40 questions. It is centered on the following material:
  • NASCLA Louisiana Master Plumbers and Master Natural Gas Fitters Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, 2nd Edition

c) What happens on passing or failing the examination?

On passing the exam:

• The initial master plumbers licensing form must be filled out and returned with a $190 Active license fee or a $40 inactive license fee for each candidate who passes the exam. 
• Once candidates have been granted a license, they must renew it with the State Plumbing Board before December 31 of each year in order to avoid late fees. 
• They must also complete continuing education credits each year through an approved source.

On failing the exam:

• Each candidate who fails the exam will be informed of their failing scores and given a Retake Form so they can request a new exam date. 
• The passing score is valid for 1 year if a candidate passes one portion but not the other. 
• In order to retain the passing score, the candidate must retake the examination within that time frame.

Louisiana Plumbing Trade Schools

Plumbing Trade Schools	Address
Sowela Technical Community College	3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70615
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – Alexandria	516 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
River Parishes Community College	925 West Edenborne Parkway, Gonzales, LA 70737
Delgado Community College	615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119
South Louisiana Community College	320 Devalcourt St, Lafayette, LA 70506

What is the Average Salary of a Plumber in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, a plumber can expect to make an average hourly wage of $24.41 and annual overtime pay of $6,750.

You must be a professional and give your plumbing job more attention if you want to make more money. Making prompt, precise estimates and bills is one method to demonstrate your expertise.

You can simplify your invoicing process with the aid of InvoiceOwl, a top estimating & invoicing software for plumbers.

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Plumber in Louisiana?

Plumber	Registration Fee	Exam Fee	License Fee
Apprentice	$20	–	–
Tradesman Plumber	–	$135	$40
Journeyman Plumber	–	$135	$50
Master Plumber	–	$100	$190 Active License Fee $40 Inactive License Fee

Conclusion

If you want to establish your own plumbing contracting business, getting a plumbing license from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and submitting an application to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) can be a big step forward in your career.

After following these steps to get a plumbing license in Louisiana, it is must that you organize your plumbing business and take it to new heights. But how will you organize your business and make things smoother? InvoiceOwl has got you covered. From creating estimates to invoices and managing them in a click, you can do it all.