Plumber License from Arkansas to Oklahoma: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Arkansas and Oklahoma

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Oklahoma. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Arkansas to Oklahoma (this page): Reciprocity agreement.

Oklahoma to Arkansas (the reverse move): Reciprocity agreement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Arkansas matter?

Coming from Arkansas matters here: only 1 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Oklahoma.

The others get: licensure by endorsement (40) and no state license to transfer (9).

Reciprocity agreements

Oklahoma's reciprocity agreement list names 1 state (Arkansas), including Arkansas.

Arkansas's reciprocity agreement list names 4 states (Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma), including Oklahoma.

Application fee

Oklahoma lists $75 for an out-of-state applicant and Arkansas lists $75–$150 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Exam rules on record

Oklahoma and Arkansas carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Oklahoma (this move): Oklahoma waives its journeyman plumbing exam only for applicants who hold an unlimited plumbing journeyman (or higher) Arkansas license obtained by Arkansas examination and held at least one year in good standing, under the Oklahoma-Arkansas reciprocity agreement effective 2024-10-21; all other out-of-state plumbers must qualify with three years of experience (or an approved education substitution) and pass the Oklahoma journeyman exam
• Arkansas (the reverse move): Arkansas waives its journeyman plumber examination for applicants licensed under one of its formal reciprocal agreements — the Department of Health publishes agreements with Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma — who hold a substantially similar license in good standing (Rules Sec. II(j)(iii): examinations shall not be required, and no apprenticeship/education/training may be imposed). An out-of-state journeyman from a state WITHOUT an agreement whose plumbing laws/codes are substantially similar may sit for the Arkansas journeyman exam without redoing an apprenticeship but must pass it. New residents may instead use Act 457 of 2023 automatic occupational licensure (residency + one year in good standing on a substantially-similar license, or 3 years' experience in a non-licensing state), subject to an Arkansas state-law exam the Department may waive.

What changes, Arkansas → Oklahoma

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Oklahoma sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Oklahoma's current requirements on the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the reciprocity application to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
4. Hold an unlimited plumbing journeyman (or higher) Arkansas license obtained by Arkansas examination — not by reciprocity — and held for at least one year.
5. License current and in good standing with no suspension, revocation, or pending discipline, and current on continuing education.
6. Submit the CIB Request for Verification of License bearing the Arkansas state seal (originals only; no photocopies or digital copies).
7. Not have performed unlicensed plumbing work in Oklahoma within the past two years.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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