Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Houston, TX

Complete permit and license guide for starting a plumbing contractor in Houston, Harris County, Texas.

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $800–$2,200 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. Sole proprietors doing business under their legal name are not required to register.

    Official government source

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

City of Houston / Harris County

2 stops

  1. City of Houston — Master Plumber Registration (no fee)

    There is no City of Houston plumbing license. A Texas-licensed (TSBPE) Master Plumber must register the state license with the Houston Permitting Center's Plumbing Inspections section before pulling plumbing permits. Per HB 1354 (effective Sept. 1, 2009), no registration fee may be charged. First-time registration is in person; renewals may be handled remotely. Phone 832-394-8870.

    Official government source

    Free (state law prohibits a municipal registration fee)1–3 weeks

  2. Houston Business Registration

    Businesses operating under a trade name file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Harris County Clerk ($24 notarized, + $0.50 per additional owner). Houston has no general city business registration or license.

    Official government source

    $24 (notarized; plus $0.50 per additional owner) or $25 + $1 witnessing fee if not notarized1–3 days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $800–$2,200 · 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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