Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Fort Worth, TX

Complete permit and license guide for starting a plumbing contractor in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $700–$2,000 est. 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Texas

3 stops

  1. Texas Master Plumber License

    Required to perform and supervise plumbing at the master level in Texas. Issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Applicants must have held a Journeyman Plumber license for at least two years (or one year plus completion of an approved apprenticeship program) and pass the Master Plumber exam. Fees: $25 exam processing, $128.50 exam (Pearson VUE), $75 initial license, $75 annual renewal. To own/operate a plumbing contracting company, a master plumber must additionally obtain TSBPE's Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) designation and maintain at least $300,000 of commercial general liability insurance.

    Official government source

    $25 exam processing fee + $128.50 exam fee (Pearson VUE); $75 initial license; $75 annual renewal. Operating a plumbing company additionally requires the Responsible Master Plumber designation ($225 initial / $300 renewal) with $300,000 liability insurance4–8 weeks (exam scheduling + processing)

  2. Responsible Master Plumber - $300,000 Liability Insurance (no surety bond required)

    Texas plumbing contractors are NOT required to post a surety bond with TSBPE. Instead, the company's Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) must maintain at least $300,000 of commercial general liability insurance and keep the certificate of insurance current with TSBPE.

    Official government source

    Insurance premium varies by insurer and business size (commercial general liability policy with at least $300,000 coverage)1–3 days

  3. Texas Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

    If operating as an LLC or corporation, register with the Texas Secretary of State.

    Official government source

    $300 (LLC filing fee)3–5 business days (online filing)

City of Fort Worth / Tarrant County

2 stops

  1. City of Fort Worth Plumbing Contractor Registration

    Plumbing contractors working in Fort Worth must register with the city before performing plumbing work that requires a permit (Texas Occupations Code Sec. 1301.551(h)), with a Texas-licensed Responsible Master Plumber qualifying the registration -- but under Sec. 1301.551(g) the city may not charge a plumbing registration or administrative fee. Per-job plumbing permit fees still apply.

    Official government source

    $0 registration fee (Occ. Code Sec. 1301.551(g) prohibits municipal plumbing registration/administrative fees); plumbing permit fees per project still apply1–2 weeks

  2. Tarrant County DBA (Assumed Name Certificate)

    Required if operating under a trade name in Tarrant County. File with the Tarrant County Clerk.

    Official government source

    $24 for one owner ($0.50 for each additional owner listed)1–3 days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $700–$2,000 · 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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