Oklahoma Plumber License Requirements (2026)

The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) licenses plumbers statewide under Oklahoma Statutes Title 59 §1001 (the Plumbing License Law). Oklahoma issues three credentials: Apprentice Plumber (registration only), Journeyman Plumber (4 years and 8,000 hours of qualifying experience plus a PSI exam at 75%), and Plumbing Contractor (a business license requiring an active Journeyman as the qualifying party plus a surety bond and insurance). Oklahoma City and Tulsa accept the CIB credential — there is no separate municipal plumber exam.

The Licensing Authority

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Oklahoma Statutes Title 59 §1000 et seq. (plumbing) and §1680 et seq. (electrical and mechanical/HVAC). The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board licenses individual journeymen and contractors for the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC/refrigeration) trades statewide, administers PSI examinations, and conducts disciplinary proceedings. Oklahoma has no statewide general contractor license — general contracting is regulated by individual cities.

Official portal: https://oklahoma.gov/cib.html
Address: 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 2F, Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Phone: (405) 521-6550

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Oklahoma residency requirement.

Good moral character

CIB conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions are reviewed individually under Title 59 rules.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application; CIB may request additional documentation.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least four years and 8,000 hours of qualifying plumbing experience as a registered Apprentice Plumber under the supervision of a Journeyman Plumber or Plumbing Contractor has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CIB Experience Affidavit signed by each supervising Journeyman or Plumbing Contractor
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Approved plumbing apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)
Oklahoma Apprentice Plumber registration history

Education substitution

Up to 1,000 hours may be substituted with accredited plumbing trade school or community college coursework. Approved DOL apprenticeship program completion satisfies the experience requirement in full.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC under contract to the Oklahoma CIB. The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber Examination — International Plumbing Code, Oklahoma plumbing rules — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
Oklahoma Plumbing Contractor Examination — business and law (contractor applicants only) — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $87 per PSI exam part paid on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually by paying a new $87 fee. CIB allows unlimited retakes within the one-year application validity.

Financial Security and Insurance

Before the license is issued, the applicant must file a $5,000 contractor license surety bond in the form prescribed by the CIB.

General liability

Plumbing Contractors must carry general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000 property damage and $100,000 bodily injury per occurrence under Title 59 §1014. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation insurance is mandatory in Oklahoma for any business with employees under the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Act.

Additional financial requirements

Plumbing Contractors must post a $5,000 surety bond with the CIB. No separate financial statement is required for the journeyman credential.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$87
Initial license — sole owner	$150
Initial license — non-sole owner	$300
Renewal (every 3 years)	$150

License Renewal

The Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor must be renewed every 3 years. The fee to renew is presently $150. Oklahoma plumber credentials renew every three years. Renewal requires current bond and insurance for contractors.

Continuing education: Sixteen hours of CIB-approved continuing education each three-year renewal cycle, including current International Plumbing Code update training.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Oklahoma Plumber License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Oklahoma grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Texas	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CIB–TSBPE reciprocity for active Journeyman and Master Plumbers in good standing.
Arkansas	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CIB–Arkansas Department of Health Plumbing reciprocity for active plumbers.
Kansas	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CIB–Kansas reciprocity through participating local jurisdictions.
New Mexico	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CIB–New Mexico Construction Industries Division reciprocity for active plumbers.

Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Oklahoma business and law portion if applying for a Plumbing Contractor license. Reciprocity does not waive the bond, insurance, or business registration requirements.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Plumber license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Register as an Apprentice Plumber. File the CIB Apprentice Registration form before performing any plumbing work. Apprentice registration must be renewed annually.
Accumulate 4 years and 8,000 hours of supervised experience. Work under a Journeyman Plumber or Plumbing Contractor and document hours on the CIB experience affidavit.
Submit the CIB Journeyman application. File the Journeyman Plumber application with the experience affidavit, fee, and identity documents.
Pass the PSI Journeyman exam at 75%. Score 75% or better on the 80-question PSI exam covering the International Plumbing Code and Oklahoma rules.
Receive the Journeyman Plumber credential. CIB issues the journeyman credential after the exam is passed. The credential renews every three years.
Apply for the Plumbing Contractor license (optional). Submit the Plumbing Contractor application designating an active Journeyman as the qualifying party. Pass the business and law exam at 75%.
Post the bond and file insurance. Post a $5,000 surety bond with the CIB and file proof of general liability and workers compensation insurance to activate the contractor license.

Common Application Pitfalls

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Oklahoma Plumber applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Working without apprentice registration

Performing plumbing work in Oklahoma without an active Apprentice Plumber registration is a violation of Title 59 §1001 and disqualifies the hours from counting toward journeyman experience.

Underestimating the 75% passing score

Oklahoma requires 75% to pass — five points higher than many neighboring states. Prep accordingly.

Confusing Journeyman with Plumbing Contractor

The Journeyman credential authorizes you as an individual; you still need a separate Plumbing Contractor license, bond, and insurance to operate as a business.

Skipping the business and law exam

Plumbing Contractor applicants must pass both the trade exam and the business and law exam at 75%. The trade-only journeyman exam does not satisfy the contractor exam requirement.

Missing CE for renewal

Sixteen hours of CIB-approved CE every three years is mandatory, including current IPC update training. Missing CE blocks renewal and triggers monthly late fees.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to CIB, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ CIB Apprentice Plumber registration
☐ Experience affidavit covering 4 years and 8,000 hours of supervised work
☐ CIB Journeyman Plumber application with $100 fee
☐ PSI Journeyman exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ PSI business and law exam pass certificate (Plumbing Contractor only)
☐ $5,000 surety bond on file with CIB (Plumbing Contractor only)
☐ General liability and workers compensation insurance certificates

Preparation Resources

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

International Plumbing Code, Oklahoma-adopted edition — International Code Council. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
Oklahoma Statutes Title 59 §1001 (Plumbing License Law) — State of Oklahoma. Licensing law for plumbers.
PSI Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI Services LLC. Official exam content outline and reference list.

Other Oklahoma Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Oklahoma licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

Who licenses plumbers in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) licenses plumbers statewide under Title 59 §1001. Oklahoma City and Tulsa accept the CIB credential — there is no separate municipal plumber license.

How many hours of experience does Oklahoma require for a Journeyman Plumber?

Four years and 8,000 hours of qualifying experience as a registered Apprentice Plumber under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Plumbing Contractor.

What is the passing score on the Oklahoma plumber exam?

75 percent. PSI administers the exam under contract to CIB. The Journeyman exam is 80 questions covering the International Plumbing Code and Oklahoma plumbing rules.

Does Oklahoma reciprocate plumber credentials?

Yes. Oklahoma has bilateral reciprocity with Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, and New Mexico for active Journeyman and Master Plumbers. Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Oklahoma business and law portion to obtain a contractor license.

Do I need a bond as an Oklahoma Plumbing Contractor?

Yes. Plumbing Contractors must post a $5,000 surety bond with the CIB and file proof of general liability and workers compensation insurance before the contractor license becomes active.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-13 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-11