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how to get your Louisiana plumbing license

Louisiana Plumbing License: What You Must Know!

Table of Contents

Plumbing licenses in the State of Louisiana are issued by the:

  • State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBL)

There are 3 different license classifications available for plumbers under the Louisiana State Plumbing Board:

  • Tradesman License
  • Journeyman Plumber License
  • Master Plumber License

It is important to remember that the regulation of plumbers in the state of Louisiana is left up to the SPBL. 

Once a plumber is certified with the SPBL, they can then apply for a contractor license with the Louisiana State Board of Contractors (LSBC).

The Plumbing license falls under the commercial category set by the Louisiana State Board of Contractors.

the complete louisiana plumbing license guide

Who Needs to Have a Plumbing License in Louisiana?

Anyone engaging in the:

“installation, maintenance and repair of potable and non-potable tap water and /or sewer water systems within a building structure or house”



Tradesman Plumbing License

Scope of work:

  • Repair existing plumbing in one– and two-family dwellings
  • Repairs to existing plumbing systems
  • Clearing of stoppages 
  • Repairing leaks

You can only work at the direction of a master plumber. 

The Tradesman Plumber License does not permit you to perform the work of a journeyman plumber.


Requirements

To qualify for an examination you must:

  • Hold a current apprenticeship registration through the SPBL
  • 2 years (4,000 Hours) of experience
  • Experience must have been under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber
  • Complete the Tradesman License Application


Examination

You must pass two examinations: an open book written exam and a two-part practical exam (hands-on)

The written exam is:

  • 80 Multiple Choice Questions
  • 70% Required to pass
  • 3 Hour examination
  • Open Book

Topics covered include:

  1. System Design and Performance Code 
  2. Product Installation Code 
  3. Sustainable Systems and Technology 
  4. Testing, Inspection, Recording and System Components 
  5. General Plumbing Repair and Service 
  6. General Health and Safety
  7. Fuel Gas and Mechanical Appliance Code
  8. Electrical Code


Journeyman Plumbing License

Scope of work:

  • Repair existing plumbing in one– and two-family dwellings
  • Repairs to existing plumbing systems
  • Clearing of stoppages 
  • Repairing leaks
  • Installation of Plumbing Systems (Under the supervision of a Master Plumber)

Requirements

To qualify for a journeyman plumbing license examination you must:

  • Hold a current apprenticeship registration through the SPBL
  • 5 years (8,000 Hours) of experience
  • You may qualify for a waiver if you have W-2’s or payroll documentation of your experience with a licensed plumbing company
  • Complete the Journeyman Plumber Application

Examination

You must pass two examinations: one open book written exam and a three-part practical (hands-on)

The written exam is:

  • 80 Multiple Choice Questions
  • 70% Required to pass
  • 3 Hour examination
  • Open Book

Topics covered include:

  1. Licensing, Permits and Inspections
  2. General Plumbing Knowledge and Regulations
  3. Accessibility, Hangers, and Supports
  4. Materials, Joints and Connections
  5. Plumbing Fixtures, Water Supply and Distribution
  6. Back-flow Prevention
  7. Drainage Systems
  8. Clean-outs and Indirect Wastes
  9. Vents, Traps and Interceptors
  10. Storm Drains and Isometric Analysis
  11. Piping and Valves
  12. Developed Length

Book referenced on the exam: ICC International Plumbing Code 2012


Master Plumbing License

Scope of work:

  • All Residential and Commercial Plumbing Work
  • Repair existing plumbing in all structures
  • Repairs to existing plumbing systems
  • Installation of all Plumbing Systems 
  • Pulling of Building Permits

Requirements

To qualify for a journeyman plumbing license examination you must:

  • Hold a current Journeyman Plumbers License, Restricted Master Plumbers License, or Engineering License
  • Complete the Master Plumber Application

Examination

You must pass a three-part examination: 

Part I: General Plumbing 

Part II: Practical Plumbing 

Part III: Business and Law 

The written exam is:

  • 145 Multiple Choice Questions
  • 70% Required to pass
  • 3 Hours for each part
  • Open Book

What is on the exam?

Part I: General Plumbing Knowledge

  1. Drainage Systems and Sewers
  2. Water Supply and Back-flow Prevention
  3. General Code
  4. Materials and Installation Practices
  5. Special Wastes and Roof Drains
  6. Fixtures and Trims
  7. Excavation
  8. Inspection and Testing
  9. Individual Sewage Treatment Systems
  10. Safety

Part II: Practical Plumbing Knowledge

  1. Drainage Systems and Sewers
  2. Water Supply and Back-flow Prevention
  3. Roof Drain Systems
  4. Installation Practices and Methods
  5. Fittings and Materials
  6. Tools and Procedures
  7. Terminology
  8. Plans and Specifications

Part lll: Law & Business

  1. Project Management
  2. Contract Management
  3. Financial Management
  4. Risk Management
  5. Business Planning and Organization
  6. Licensing
  7. Safety (Laws and Regulations
  8. Labor Laws
  9. Tax and Lien Laws
  10. Estimation and Bidding


Louisiana Plumbing License Application Processing 

Each plumbing license application has specific requirements:

Tradesman License Application

  • Basic Information
  • Name of Completed Apprenticeship (with signature of coordinator)
  • Signed References from three journeyman or master plumbers
  • Notarized Signature
  • Pay Permit Fee

Journeyman License Application

  • Basic Information
  • Name of Employing Entity (with signature of employer or training instructor)
  • Notarized Signature
  • Pay Permit Fee

Master Plumber License Application

  • Basic Information
  • Name of Employing Entity 
  • Journeyman License, Restricted Master License, or Engineering License Number
  • Notarized Signature
  • Pay Permit Fee


Louisiana Business License

If you are applying for are looking to start a plumbing company you may need to establish a business entity. Each parish has specific rules for business licensing.

You will want to check your local laws. Businesses can be set up through the Louisiana Secretary of State

You will choose a name and then select the type of entity you want. Typically, construction companies choose either:

  • Sole Proprietor – License held through an individual
  • Partnership – License held through a partnership
  • LLC – License held through a company that exists as its own entity
  • S-Corporation – License held through a corporate entity
you may need to get your louisiana business license to open a construction business

For a complete explanation of the difference between these types of entities and which one makes the most sense for someone applying for a contractor license, check out this free guide!


Louisiana Worker’s Compensation Laws

Louisiana requires all construction companies with 1 or more employees to hold worker’s compensation insurance.

This also includes LLCs. However, If you apply as a sole proprietorship and have no employees you may be exempt.

Contractors must be insured through a commercial provider, self-insured carrier, or through the Louisiana Workforce Commission


SPBLA Plumbing License Search

The State Plumbing Board of Louisiana exists as a consumer protection mechanism.

The agency exists not only to enforce rules on plumbing contractors but also to ensure that homeowners are not being overcharged by unlicensed plumbers.

If you are a homeowner or business owner looking to verify a plumbing license in the state of Louisiana, you can check a license here


Renewing Your Louisiana Plumbing License

Once your plumbing license is active, you will be responsible for renewing it on an annual basis. You will have all the way up to December 31st to renew.

Here you can find the renewal fees and forms


Louisiana Plumbing Apprenticeships

If you are just beginning your career as a plumber and don’t have any experience. You should absolutely look into a plumbing apprenticeship.

One of the best ways to build a solid foundation and position yourself in this lucrative industry is to set yourself on a solid foundation. 


Even if you already have years of experience and just need to brush up on a few things, there are also several online plumbing skills courses that can be found here

Apprenticeship schools can provide you with valuable training in a variety of different trades including Electrical, Plumbing, Concrete, Landscaping, Painting, HVAC, Roofing, Carpentry, and much more!

To see our course catalog for online plumbing courses, click below:

understanding the fundamentals of the plumbing trade is critical for anyone looking to apply for a plumbing contractor license in louisiana

Plumbing Journeyman or Apprentice?

If you are new to the construction industry and have never heard the term “journeyman” or “apprentice” you can learn more from the step-by-step guide: Apprentice to Journeyman!

Each state has different laws and definitions for who is an apprentice or journeyman. Louisiana is particularly strict as they have a separate state board specifically for Plumbers.


What You Need To Know About Contractor License Schools

in addition to plumbing classes, most trade schools can offer law and business courses which will help you pass the Louisiana contractor license examination

If you are looking to prepare for your Louisiana plumbing license exam, taking contractor classes could be a huge help.

Most contractor resources include:

  • Home study materials
  • Online classes taught by industry professionals
  • Application assistance 
  • Insurance and Business services

Many tradesmen find themselves a bit confused when faced with questions about construction accounting, balance sheets, workers compensation, employee rights, job site safety, and Louisiana state construction law. 

These topics can be learned quickly. Studying Louisiana plumbing law consistently in the weeks leading up to your exam day will help you greatly.

Practice exams and study guides breaking down everything you need to know can be found here.


Construction LAW vs Construction TRADE

A contractor license school’s main focus should be on the law.

Most states offer several different types of licenses, so if a school is telling you it can teach you your trade, be wary… as that is not realistic.

You can however review plumbing, back-flow, drainage systems, and many more concepts you may have forgotten using practice tests and study guides.

Check out our complete list of Trade Skills Courses


Blueprint Reading Course

if you are looking to get a louisiana journeyman plumbers license or a master plumbers license you will want to understand the fundamentals of blueprint reading

If you are reading this and looking to get your journeyman or master Plumbers license in Louisiana, you must understand the importance of Blueprint Reading. 

Blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.

Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill especially for those looking into engineering or to get a Louisiana general contractor license.

See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!


OSHA Safety Certifications in Louisiana

Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.

That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.

In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.

OSHA safety regulations are a great idea to know thoroughly before applying for the Louisiana contractor license

Safety is probably the most important part of running a construction business in Louisiana.

Whether it be roofing, painting, landscaping, carpentry, electrical or any other trade.

If you or your workers are not properly trained, it can place unnecessary risk to not only your personal safety but your bottom line as a business. 

For employment with a licensed general contractor, you may be asked to complete some level of Louisiana OSHA Training!


Get Started!

Applying to the Louisiana Board of Contractors can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own business as a Plumbing Contractor!

If you are looking to get work in another state you can find information here about plumbing contractor licenses in CaliforniaNew MexicoUtahArizonaNevadaColorado, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida


The construction industry is very lucrative and plumbing contractors especially are highly sought after. There has never been a better time to get into construction, as there will be increasingly more opportunities into the future.

The key is to use the information you have now and take action from beginning to end. I know you will make the most of it!

If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future.