Checking a Texas Plumbing License Before You Hire
Texas licenses plumbers through a state board, and checking a license takes about a minute. It's worth doing before any plumber starts work on your home.
Request a plumberThe licensing board
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) licenses plumbers in Texas. Gas line work is plumbing work and is covered by the same law.
License levels
You'll see apprentice, tradesman, journeyman and master plumber licenses. Apprentices work under licensed plumbers. Every plumbing company must have a responsible master plumber.
How to check
Use the license search on the TSBPE website to look up the plumber's name or license number and confirm it's active.
Permits
Most plumbing work beyond simple repairs, such as water heaters, gas lines, new fixtures and sewer repairs, needs a city permit and inspection. The plumber pulls it.
Get it in writing
Ask for a written estimate with the work, materials, permit and warranty. Be cautious of large up-front cash payments.
After the job
Keep the invoice and any permit paperwork. They matter for warranties, insurance claims and selling the home.
Questions to ask
Who will actually do the work, and what license do they hold? Is the company insured for liability and workers' compensation? Who pulls the permit and meets the inspector? What warranty covers the labor, and what does the manufacturer cover on parts? How will surprises, like a rotten subfloor or a corroded gas line found during the job, be priced and approved before the work continues?
Red flags
Door-to-door offers after a freeze or hailstorm, a price far below other quotes, pressure to decide on the spot, no license number on the estimate, or a request to skip the permit to save money. Storm-chasing crews often leave town before problems appear.
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