Plumber License from New York to Oklahoma: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division ↗
A plumbing license transfers from New York to Oklahoma by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division, verify your New York license, and meet Oklahoma's endorsement requirements. 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.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
New York is not among the states Oklahoma names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division's individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. 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. Bring your New York license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, New York → Oklahoma
| New York (current) | Oklahoma (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ | $75 (Arkansas reciprocal application total $75.00 ($50 license fee + $25 application processing fee). Non-reciprocal applicants pay a separate journeyman application fee and a third-party exam fee.) |
| Processing time | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority | No board-stated processing time. |
| Licensing authority | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) | Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Oklahoma sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Oklahoma's current requirements on the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold an unlimited plumbing journeyman (or higher) Arkansas license obtained by Arkansas examination — not by reciprocity — and held for at least one year.
- License current and in good standing with no suspension, revocation, or pending discipline, and current on continuing education.
- Submit the CIB Request for Verification of License bearing the Arkansas state seal (originals only; no photocopies or digital copies).
- Not have performed unlicensed plumbing work in Oklahoma within the past two years.
- Pay the fees ($75 (Arkansas reciprocal application total $75.00 ($50 license fee + $25 application processing fee). Non-reciprocal applicants pay a separate journeyman application fee and a third-party exam fee.)) and allow No board-stated processing time..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Oklahoma accept a New York plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from New York to Oklahoma by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) — Plumbing Division, verify your New York license, and meet Oklahoma's endorsement requirements. 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.
Which exam applies moving from New York to Oklahoma?
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.
What does the New York-to-Oklahoma move cost and how long does it take?
$75 (Arkansas reciprocal application total $75.00 ($50 license fee + $25 application processing fee). Non-reciprocal applicants pay a separate journeyman application fee and a third-party exam fee.); processing No board-stated processing time..
Can I keep my New York plumbing license after I'm licensed in Oklahoma?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the New York 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.
- Oklahoma CIB — Arkansas Plumbing Reciprocity Agreement (news; effective 2024-10-21; exam waived; conditions) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oklahoma CIB — Arkansas Plumbing Reciprocal License Application (fees $50+$25=$75; eligibility) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oklahoma CIB — Plumbing Journeyman requirements (three-year experience; out-of-state license pathway) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $525 LIC41 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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