Construction / Plumber Continuing Education / Texas
- Texas
- Plumber CE
- Master, Journeyman & Tradesman
- Updated Oct 2026
Texas Plumber Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses
Texas Master, Journeyman and Tradesman plumbers and Plumbing Inspectors need 6 hours of TSBPE-approved Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every year, including 3 hours on health protection, energy conservation and water conservation, before they renew.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) requirements
Hours per cycle
6 hrs
3 hours on health protection, energy and water conservation
Cycle
1 year
Texas plumbing licenses expire every year
Deadline
License expiration date
Annually on the expiration date shown on your license
Online allowed?
Yes
Approved online, virtual classroom and correspondence CPE count
Who needs CE
Who needs continuing education for a Texas plumber license?
Active Texas plumbers and plumbing inspectors need 6 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) before each yearly renewal. Renewal is handled by the state through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), not by TDLR or your city.
CE applies to
- Master Plumbers and Responsible Master Plumbers (RMP)
- Journeyman Plumbers
- Tradesman Plumber-Limited licensees
- Plumbing Inspectors
- Plumbers holding a Medical Gas Piping Installation endorsement (2 extra CPE hours every 3 years)
Exemptions
- Drain Cleaners, Drain Cleaner-Restricted Registrants and Residential Utilities Installers (unless holding an endorsement that requires CPE)
Holding multiple licenses
If you hold both a Journeyman and a Master Plumber license, one 6-hour TSBPE-approved CPE course satisfies your annual renewal requirement for both.
Texas plumber CE at a glance
Texas plumber renewal, one box
| Renewed with | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) |
| CE required? | Yes, for Master, Journeyman, Tradesman & Plumbing Inspector |
| Hours per cycle | 6 hrs |
| Cycle | 1 year |
| Required topics | 3 hrs health protection, energy & water conservation; Plumbing License Law & TSBPE rules |
| Online allowed? | Yes |
| Deadline | Before your annual license expiration date |
| Who reports | TSBPE-approved CPE provider |
| Carryover | No |
| Grace period | None to work; late renewal up to 2 years with penalty |
| Renewal fee | $75 Master ($300 RMP); $40 Journeyman; $35 Tradesman; $55 Inspector |
| Last updated | October 28, 2026 |
Hours
How many CE hours does a Texas plumber license need?
Under 22 TAC §365.14, Texas plumbers and plumbing inspectors need 6 hours of TSBPE-approved CPE each year. At least 3 of those hours must cover health protection, energy conservation and water conservation, along with instruction in the Plumbing License Law and TSBPE rules.
| Class | Total | Required topics | Electives | Delivery limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master, Journeyman, Tradesman & Inspector | 6 hrs | 3 hrs health protection, energy conservation & water conservation; Plumbing License Law & board rules | Remaining hours in TSBPE annual course manual topics | In-person, live online or correspondence (manual & 150 questions) |
| Medical Gas Endorsement (3-year cycle) | 2 hrs | 2 hrs Medical Gas Piping Installation CPE | None | In addition to the annual 6-hour plumber CPE |
Under TSBPE rules, correspondence CPE can be completed by downloading the annual course manual from an approved provider and returning answers to 150 questions by email, fax, online portal or USPS mail.
Deadline
When is the Texas plumber license renewal deadline?
Texas plumbing licenses expire every year on the expiration date printed on your pocket card. Finish your 6 hours of current-year CPE and renew with TSBPE before your license expires.
| Deadline rule | Renew before your annual license expiration date |
| Cycle | 1 year |
| Grace period | None to perform plumbing work while expired; late renewal up to 2 years |
| Late penalty | $37.50 extra up to 90 days late; $75 extra from 91 days to under 2 years ($150 / $300 for RMP) |
| CE completion deadline | Before you submit your annual renewal |
Steps
How to renew a Texas plumber license, step by step
- Take approved CEBefore your deadline
Complete 6 hours of TSBPE-approved CPE for the current course year, including 3 hours on health protection, energy conservation and water conservation. - Get your certificateSame day
Save the certificate of completion you receive when you finish. - Confirm it’s reportedBefore you renew
Your TSBPE-approved CPE provider reports your completion electronically to TSBPE. Check your TSBPE online account to confirm your hours are posted. - Pay the renewal fee$35–$75 ($300 RMP)
Log in to the TSBPE Online Licensing System to submit your renewal and pay your fee ($35 Tradesman, $40 Journeyman, $55 Inspector, $75 Master, $300 RMP). - Check your license statusAfter renewal
Look up your license in the TSBPE Public License Search to confirm the new expiration date.
Providers
Approved Texas plumber license CE providers
We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay.
Approval
How to check a Texas plumber CE course is approved
Only courses and instructors approved by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) for the current course year count toward Texas plumbing CPE.
- Confirm the provider is on TSBPE’s approved CPE provider list before you pay.
- Check that the course uses the current course year’s TSBPE-approved curriculum and totals 6 hours.
- If you use the correspondence option, confirm how the provider grades and reports your 150-question answer sheet.
Reporting
How Texas plumber CE is reported, and what happens in an audit
Your TSBPE-approved CPE provider electronically reports your course completion to TSBPE. Once your CPE credit is posted on your profile, you submit your renewal and fee through the TSBPE Online Licensing System.
- Print or save your certificate of completion for your records.
- Verify that your CPE credit shows on your TSBPE online account before submitting your renewal.
- Keep your certificate in case TSBPE requests proof.
Cost
How much does Texas plumber license renewal cost?
| Item | Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Master Plumber / Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) | $75 / $300 | TSBPE |
| Journeyman Plumber / Tradesman Plumber-Limited | $40 / $35 | TSBPE |
| Plumbing Inspector renewal | $55 | TSBPE |
| Late renewal fee (up to 90 days / 91 days–2 yrs) | +$37.50 / +$75 (+$150 / +$300 RMP) | TSBPE |
| CPE course (6 hours) | Varies by provider | CPE provider |
Fees from 22 TAC §361.6 and the TSBPE fee schedule, checked October 2026. If you hold both a Master and Journeyman license, you pay only the Master renewal fee.
Late or lapsed
Late, expired or inactive Texas plumber license
You cannot legally perform plumbing work in Texas while your license is expired. TSBPE allows late renewal for up to two years after expiration if you complete your required CPE and pay the late renewal fee.
Grace period & late fees
There is no grace period to work while expired. Renewing 1 to 90 days late adds a $37.50 late fee ($150 for RMP). Renewing 91 days to under 2 years late adds a $75 late fee ($300 for RMP).
Makeup CPE
You must complete 6 hours of CPE for each year your license was expired before TSBPE will renew your license.
Expired 2 years or more
A license expired for 2 years or more cannot be renewed; you must reapply and pass the licensing examination again.
Who controls
Who controls Texas plumber license renewal?
Renewal authority
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
7915 Cameron Rd., Austin, TX 78754
Phone: (512) 936-5200
Website: tsbpe.texas.gov
Responsibilities
- Issues and renews Texas Master, Journeyman, Tradesman and Inspector plumbing licenses
- Sets the 6-hour yearly Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirement under 22 TAC §365.14
- Approves annual CPE course materials, providers and instructors
Getting licensed
Getting a Texas plumber license
Need the license first? Our Texas guide covers who needs a license, the classes, exams, fees and the steps to apply.
FAQ
Texas plumber license CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Texas plumber need?
6 hours of TSBPE-approved Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every year, including 3 hours on health protection, energy conservation and water conservation.
Who regulates Texas plumber renewals?
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), not TDLR, regulates and renews Texas plumbing licenses.
Can I take CE online or by correspondence?
Yes. TSBPE allows live online courses as well as correspondence courses where you download the manual and submit answers to 150 questions by email, online portal, fax or mail.
Who reports my hours?
Your TSBPE-approved CPE provider reports your completion electronically to TSBPE.
Do hours carry over?
No. You must complete a new 6-hour CPE course using the current course year’s curriculum for each annual renewal.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
You cannot work while expired. Renewing within 90 days adds a $37.50 late fee ($150 for RMP), and renewing between 91 days and 2 years adds a $75 late fee ($300 for RMP). After 2 years, you must retest.
Sources
Official sources for Texas plumber CE rules
- TSBPE Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
- TSBPE License Renewals
- Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1301, Plumbers
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 17, Chapters 361 & 365
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE).