Construction / Plumber License / Arkansas
- Arkansas
- Plumber License
- Journeyman & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Arkansas Plumber License
This page covers Arkansas’s journeyman and master plumber licenses: what each lets you do, the experience you need, the exam pre-approval process and how to apply with the Arkansas Department of Health.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Arkansas Department of Health requirements
Application fee
$75–$125
$75 journeyman, $125 master; plus $75 or $200 license fee
Exam time
3 hrs
Journeyman exam; master exam time not stated
Time to get license
~5 yrs
Journeyman experience; master needs 4 yrs plus 1 yr as a licensed journeyman
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE for renewal
Overview
Do you need an Arkansas plumber license?
Yes. Arkansas licenses plumbers at two levels. A journeyman license covers the hands-on installation of plumbing, and a master license adds planning and superintending work and lets you contract with the general public.
License required when
- You do the practical installation of plumbing (journeyman or master)
- You plan or superintend plumbing work (master)
- You contract with the general public for plumbing work (master)
Common exceptions
- A journeyman can install plumbing without a master license, but can’t contract with the public
- Our source notes don’t list exemptions, so check the Arkansas Plumber’s Law before assuming you’re exempt
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source doesn’t list specific penalties. In general, the Arkansas Department of Health and the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners can act against people doing plumbing work without the right license, so get licensed first.
Your fast-track Arkansas plumber license checklist
The Arkansas application, one page
- Proof of plumbing experience (5 years journeyman, 4 years master)
- Journeyman license held 1 full year (if moving up to master)
- Completed application packet for exam pre-approval
- Exam notification from the Arkansas Department of Health
- Passing exam score
Types
Arkansas plumber license types and classifications
Arkansas has two plumber licenses. Most plumbers start as a journeyman and move up to master once they qualify.
JRY
Entry level
Journeyman Plumber
Anyone other than a master plumber who does the practical installation of plumbing.
Exam
Journeyman exam
Limit
Can’t contract with the public
MST
Contracting
Master Plumber
Plans, superintends and installs plumbing, and knows the laws, rules and regulations that govern it. Can contract with the general public.
Exam
Master exam
Limit
Can contract with the public
Requirements
Arkansas plumber license requirements, class by class
Both licenses need exam pre-approval and documented experience. Journeymen who want to move up must hold that license for a full year first.
| Requirement | Journeyman | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 5 years | 4 years |
| Prior license | None stated | Journeymen must hold that license 1 full year first |
| Exam pre-approval | Required | Required |
| Exam | 100 questions, 3 hrs, 70% to pass | Not stated |
| Format | Open book | Not stated |
| Contract with the public | No | Yes |
| Continuing ed | Not required | Not required |
Steps
How to get your Arkansas plumber license, step by step
- Pick your license levelBefore you start
Choose journeyman or master. If you hold a journeyman license, you need 1 full year with it before you can sit for the master exam. - Document your experienceBefore you apply
Journeymen need 5 years of plumbing experience. Masters need 4 years. - Submit your application packetPre-approval
Send a completed application to the Arkansas Board of Plumbing Examiners to get approved for the exam. - Get your exam noticeAfter approval
If you’re approved, the Arkansas Department of Health sends you an examination notification. Then you set a date and time with the State Board. - Pass the examExam day
The journeyman exam is 100 questions in 3 hours, open book, and you need 70% to pass. - Get licensedFinal step
Complete your licensing through the Arkansas Plumbing Inspection and Licensing Division.
Exam
What to expect on the Arkansas plumber exam
You take the journeyman or master exam that matches your approved classification. The exam is given by the state after pre-approval, and the journeyman exam is open book.
Format
Open book
Questions
100 (journeyman)
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
Arkansas Dept. of Health
Scoring & content
- Journeyman: 100 questions, 3 hours, 70% to pass
- Topics: drainage, venting, hangers and supports, water supply, backflow prevention, storm drainage, fixtures and water heaters, interceptors and traps, isometrics, septic and sewer, joints and connections
- References include the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, the 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code and the Arkansas Plumber’s Law
- Master exam details are in the state’s Master Plumber Examination Information Guide
Retake policy
- A re-exam after failing any portion, or missing the exam without proper notice, costs $50
- You need pre-approval before your first attempt
- Exams are scheduled with the State Board after approval
- Check with the Plumbing Inspection and Licensing Division about retakes
Exam references · Open book
The Journeyman Plumber exam is open book, and the references below are the books used during the exam; our sources don’t state the format of the Master Plumber exam. The Arkansas Department of Health’s Journeyman Plumber Study Guide and Master Plumber Examination Information Guide identify the references for each exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Plumbing Code | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| Arkansas Fuel Gas Code (based on the International Fuel Gas Code) | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| Arkansas Plumber’s Law (free from the Arkansas Department of Health, print it for your exam) | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Arkansas plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does an Arkansas plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (journeyman) | Fixed | $75 |
| Application fee (master) | Fixed | $125 |
| License fee (journeyman, annual) | Fixed | $75 |
| License fee (master, annual) | Fixed | $200 |
| Re-exam after a failed or missed exam | Fixed | $50 |
| Code books (Arkansas Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes) | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Application and first-year license fee; excludes code books and any re-exam | $150–$325 |
Fees from the Arkansas State Board of Health plumber licensing rules and the Department of Health’s 2026 application instructions, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Arkansas accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Arkansas doesn’t list automatic reciprocity in our source notes. The State Committee of Plumbing Examiners reviews each reciprocal application on its own.
Case-by-case reciprocal registration
The Arkansas State Committee of Plumbing Examiners makes an independent decision on every application for reciprocal registration. If you don’t qualify, apply as a new applicant.
Local
Do Arkansas cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Plumber licenses come from the state through the Arkansas Department of Health. Local governments still handle permits and job-site rules.
State handles
- Journeyman and master plumber licenses
- Exam pre-approval and testing
- Reciprocal registration decisions
- Plumbing law and code enforcement
City & county handle
- Building and plumbing permits
- Local inspections
- Local business licensing
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Arkansas
Licensing authority
Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing Inspection and Licensing Division
(501) 661-2642
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues journeyman and master plumber licenses
- Approves applicants for the exam and sends exam notices
- Reviews reciprocal registration applications through the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners
- Publishes the plumbing law and exam study guides
Maintenance
How to renew your Arkansas plumber license and keep it active
Arkansas doesn’t require continuing education for plumber renewals. Journeyman and master licenses expire every December 31 and must be renewed by February 1: $75 a year for journeyman, $200 for master. After February 1, a $5 penalty is added for each month late.
Renewal cycle
Annual (Dec 31)
CE hours
Not required
Renewal fee
$75–$200 per year
Late penalty
$5 per month
FAQ
Arkansas plumber license FAQs
How many years of experience do I need to be a journeyman plumber in Arkansas?
At least 5 years of plumbing experience, plus passing the journeyman exam after pre-approval.
How do I become a master plumber in Arkansas?
You need 4 years of plumbing experience and must pass the master exam after pre-approval. If you hold a journeyman license, you must keep it for 1 full year before you can take the master exam.
Is the Arkansas plumbing exam open book?
Yes. The journeyman exam is open book, with 100 questions in 3 hours and a 70% passing score.
Can a journeyman plumber contract on their own?
No. Only a master plumber can contract with the general public.
Does Arkansas require continuing education for plumbers?
No. Arkansas doesn’t require continuing education for renewal.
Does Arkansas accept out-of-state plumbing licenses?
Not automatically. The State Committee of Plumbing Examiners decides each reciprocal application individually.
Sources
Official sources for the Arkansas plumber license
- Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas
- Arkansas Department of Health, Journeyman Plumber Study Guide (PDF)
- Arkansas Department of Health, Master Plumber Examination Information Guide (PDF)
- Arkansas Plumber’s Law (PDF)
- Arkansas State Board of Health, Plumber Licensing Rules (PDF)
- Arkansas Department of Health, Plumber Exam Application Instructions and Fees (PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Arkansas Department of Health.