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

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) ↗

Yes — Texas has a reciprocity arrangement covering Arkansas license holders. Apply to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.

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Verdict

Reciprocity agreement

Arkansas is on Texas's reciprocity list, which puts this move on the streamlined track — on two conditions. Your Arkansas license must have been earned by examination, not grandfathered in, and be active and in good standing; where it is, Texas waives its journeyman exam and the requirements below are what it still insists on. Texas waives its journeyman plumber examination only for plumbers currently licensed in Louisiana or Arkansas, who may qualify for a reciprocal Texas license; every other out-of-state journeyman or master plumber (currently licensed and having held that license at least two years) must apply for an Out-of-State Examination and pass the Texas computer-based (Pearson VUE) written exam plus the practical journeyman exam. One caution: these agreements are directional and revocable. This page's verification date is when we last confirmed Arkansas on Texas's list; the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) link is the live truth.

What changes, Arkansas → Texas

Side-by-side: Arkansas vs Texas (Plumber (journeyman/master)), verified 2026-07-21
	Arkansas (current)	Texas (destination)
Application fee	$75–$150 ($75 journeyman application fee + $75 annual journeyman license fee (Ark. State Board of Health plumbing rules, Sec. III). The first scheduled exam is covered by the application fee; retake/no-show exam $50 each. Master tier is $125 application + $200/yr license. Reinstatement: $150 journeyman / $325 master.)	$40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway)
Processing time	No board-stated processing time; a temporary revocable permit / provisional license is issued immediately upon eligibility approval and is valid 90 days	4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status)
Licensing authority	Arkansas Department of Health — Plumbing and Natural Gas Section (State Committee of Plumbing Examiners)	Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)

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

Step by step

Confirm Texas's current requirements on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) website (linked below) — rules change.
Submit the reciprocity application to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) (application linked below).
Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
Hold a current out-of-state Journeyman or Master Plumber license held for at least two years (or a Louisiana/Arkansas license for the reciprocal pathway).
Submit fingerprints through IdentoGO — required for all out-of-state examinees before the application is approved.
Provide proof of lawful authorization to work in the United States and a current government-issued photo ID.
Pass the Texas journeyman computer-based written exam and the practical exam (both waived only for Louisiana/Arkansas reciprocal applicants).
Pay the fees ($40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway)) and allow 4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status).

Official links

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) ↗Texas application ↗License verification ↗

Frequently asked questions

Does Texas accept a Arkansas plumbing license?

Which exam applies moving from Arkansas to Texas?

Texas waives its journeyman plumber examination only for plumbers currently licensed in Louisiana or Arkansas, who may qualify for a reciprocal Texas license; every other out-of-state journeyman or master plumber (currently licensed and having held that license at least two years) must apply for an Out-of-State Examination and pass the Texas computer-based (Pearson VUE) written exam plus the practical journeyman exam.

What does the Arkansas-to-Texas move cost and how long does it take?

$40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway); processing 4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status).

Can I keep my Arkansas plumbing license after I'm licensed in Texas?

Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Arkansas credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]