How to become a plumber in Arkansas

Q: Do you need a license to work on your own as a plumber in Arkansas?

Check the Dept of Health before you bid work on your own.2

Arkansas licenses plumbers at the state level through the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.¹ You start as an apprentice or trainee and work toward the exam.

34registered apprenticeship programs $23.39median an hour in Arkansas

Pick your way in

Apprenticeship

Earn while you learn

A program hires you, pays you on the job and runs your classes.

Pay: From day one
In AR: 34 registered programs

Find a program near you

Trade school

Classroom first

Learn the basics, then find work to log your hours.

Pay: You pay tuition
In AR: 2 schools with programs

Compare 2 schools

Helper

Start on a crew

Get hired as a helper by a licensed plumbing contractor and log hours on the job.

Pay: Paid on the job
Start: No experience needed

How to get started

The license steps

Start as an apprentice or trainee
Join a registered apprenticeship, take a trade school program, or work as a helper for a licensed contractor.
Issued by
Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section
Compare the ways in
Journeyman license4 yrsapplication $75 + license annual $75
4 years of experience or equivalent, or a completed approved apprenticeship
Time
4 yrs
Cost
application $75 + license annual $75
Master license5 yrsapplication $125 + license annual $200
5 years of experience or equivalent; a journeyman license must be held for one full year before applying for master
Time
5 yrs
Cost
application $125 + license annual $200
Run your own shop
To bid and contract on your own you need a plumbing contractor license or registration.
Issued by
Dept of Health - Plumbing and Food Service Plan Review
Arkansas contractor license