How to get a plumbing license in Arkansas: the official requirements
The Journeyman Plumber license license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
In Arkansas, the state plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. The Journeyman Plumber license, issued through the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section of the Arkansas Department of Health. A journeyman plumber is a person other than a Master Plumber who does the practical installation of plumbing; the application names the Arkansas Master Plumber you will work under. Apprentice or trainee registration: An apprentice plumber is registered under an Arkansas Master Plumber and enrolled in the state's apprentice plumber training program. An apprentice who completes that training is considered for the journeyman exam. Experience and training: At least four years of experience, or its equivalent, for the journeyman exam. Applicants without a license document at least four years of experience in all phases of plumbing and natural gas; the Committee of Plumbing Examiners accepts affidavits, evidence from licensing agencies, or former employers who can attest to your work as a plumber. Completing an Arkansas plumber apprenticeship is the other route. Licensing exam: The Arkansas Journeyman Plumber Examination: four sections (a drawing section, fifty code and law questions, a gas pipe section and code illustrations), with four hours to complete all four. How to apply: Apply on the Department's Journeyman Plumber application with the fees and the required documentation attached (the apprenticeship release form, or documentation of your experience, or out-of-state license verification). Applications are not reviewed without fees and are denied without the documentation.
Arkansas plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Journeyman Plumber license, issued through the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section of the Arkansas Department of Health. A journeyman plumber is a person other than a Master Plumber who does the practical installation of plumbing; the application names the Arkansas Master Plumber you will work under. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | An apprentice plumber is registered under an Arkansas Master Plumber and enrolled in the state's apprentice plumber training program. An apprentice who completes that training is considered for the journeyman exam. |
| Experience and training | At least four years of experience, or its equivalent, for the journeyman exam. Applicants without a license document at least four years of experience in all phases of plumbing and natural gas; the Committee of Plumbing Examiners accepts affidavits, evidence from licensing agencies, or former employers who can attest to your work as a plumber. Completing an Arkansas plumber apprenticeship is the other route. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. |
| Licensing exam | The Arkansas Journeyman Plumber Examination: four sections (a drawing section, fifty code and law questions, a gas pipe section and code illustrations), with four hours to complete all four. |
| How to apply | Apply on the Department's Journeyman Plumber application with the fees and the required documentation attached (the apprenticeship release form, or documentation of your experience, or out-of-state license verification). Applications are not reviewed without fees and are denied without the documentation. |
| Background check | The application asks whether you have ever pleaded guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, a crime. The State Board of Health does not run criminal background checks itself but may ask about convictions when you apply or renew. |
| State fees | Journeyman application fee $75 and license fee $75 a year. Apprentice registration $25 a year. Retaking an exam section (or missing the exam without notice) costs $50. |
| License term | One year: journeyman licenses expire every December 31 and must be renewed by February 1. |
| Continuing education | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Arkansas
- Register as an apprentice plumber under an Arkansas Master Plumber and enroll in the apprentice plumber training program, or build plumbing and natural gas experience.
- Reach at least four years of experience, or its equivalent (completing the Arkansas apprenticeship also qualifies you to be considered).
- Send the Journeyman Plumber application with the $75 application fee, the $75 license fee and your documentation attached.
- Pass the four-section Arkansas Journeyman Plumber Examination.
- Renew the license every year by February 1.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in ArkansasWhat plumbers earn.
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Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section and the rules it publishes (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing & Natural Gas Section, Journeyman Plumber application (8/15/25), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Master, Journeyman, and Restricted Plumber Licenses (effective September 5, 2024), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Journeyman Plumber Examination Study Guide, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.