If you find yourself drawn to a career that combines hands-on work with a vital societal impact and is highly fulfilling, plumbing in Oklahoma could be your calling.
Despite working behind the scenes, the role of plumbers is indispensable to our daily lives.
Plumbing is the backbone of modern infrastructure, ensuring the delivery of clean water and the efficient removal of wastewater.
This article will serve as your comprehensive guide informing you on everything you need to know to become a plumber in the Sooner State.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in Oklahoma – Step by Step
To begin your plumbing journey in Oklahoma you must be at least 16 years old.
The state issues the following plumbing licenses:
- Plumbing Apprentice (registration)
- Journeyman Plumber
- Plumbing Contractor
Plumbing Apprentice
To begin your plumbing work you must first become a plumbing apprentice, and to do so you must be at least 16 years old.
You can complete your apprenticeship by:
- enrolling in an apprenticeship program
- working under the supervision of an already licensed journeyman plumber/plumbing contractor
In addition to this, you might be required to complete a period of formal education by enrolling in a vocational school, community college, or special plumbing program.
It is important to note that as soon as you start your apprenticeship you must register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Board to document your working hours.
You will register annually until you complete the experience needed.
After completing 3 years of experience as an apprentice plumber you can go on and apply for your Journeyman Plumber License.
Journeyman Plumber
To apply for the Journeyman Plumber License you must be at least 18 years old.
To be qualified to apply for the license you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Have 3 years of experience in the plumbing trade as an apprentice or employed by a plumbing contractor
- Have 3 years of verifiable experience while serving in the U.S. military
- Already possess a valid journeyman plumbing license from a different state
Submit an application fee and pay the $25 application fee.
In addition, there is a $100 exam fee.
The Journeyman Plumbing is an open-book exam that consists of 85 questions and has a 3-hour time limit.
The exam covers the following topics:
- General Plumbing Knowledge and Regulations
- Piping, Valves, and Control Valves
- Fixtures and Equipment
- Water Supply
- Drains and Sewers
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors, Indirect and Special Waste
- Isometric Analysis
- Fuel Gas
- Safety
You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the exam.
You will receive your results as soon as you complete your exam.
If you pass the exam you will go on to apply for your Journeyman Plumbing license, and pay the $50 initial licensure fee.
However, If you fail your exam you can retake it after 30 days.
If you fail the exam more than once you will need to wait 90 days before you can retake the exam.
Plumbing Contractor
To apply for the Plumbing Contractor License you must be at least 18 years old, and have at least 1 year of experience working as a licensed Journeyman Plumber.
Submit the application form, and pay the $30 application fee.
In addition, there is a $100 exam fee per exam portion or a $200 exam fee total.
The Contractor exam consists of 2 portions:
- Plumbing Contractor and Natural Gas Portion
- Business & Law Portion
The Plumbing Contractor and Natural Gas portion of the exam is an open-book exam that consists of 85 questions and has a 3-hour time limit.
Topics covered on the exam include:
- General Plumbing Knowledge and Regulations
- Piping, Valves, and Control Valves
- Fixtures and Equipment
- Water Supply
- Drains and Sewers
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors, Indirect and Special Waste
- Isometric Analysis
- Fuel Gas
- Safety
You need a score of 75% or higher to pass the exam.
The Business & Law portion of the exam is an open-book exam that consists of 50 questions and has a 2-hour time limit.
The exam consists of the following topics:
- Bidding and Estimating
- Project Management and Supervision
- Contracts
- Financials
- Labor and Personnel
- Risk Management
- Payroll and Payroll Taxes
- Licensing Requirements
You need a score of 75% or higher to pass the exam.
If you pass the exams you will go on and apply for your Plumbing Contractor License.
Within your application, you need to submit proof of $5,000 Corporate Surety Bond and $50,000 commercial general liability insurance.
The licensure fee is $300.
However, If you fail your exam you can retake it after 30 days.
If you fail the exam more than once you will need to wait 90 days before you can retake the exam.
Plumbing Schools in Oklahoma
Oklahoma offers great schooling and apprenticeship options for its aspiring plumbers.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Training Center
Plumbers and Pipefitters Training Center offers apprenticeship programs and journeyman classes.
To apply for apprenticeship you must be at least 18 years old, with a High School Diploma or the GED equivalent, and be willing to do a drug test.
The Apprenticeship Program consists of both on-the-job and in-the-classroom training.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, each participant will possess the required licenses to lawfully operate in the plumbing and pipefitting business.
To learn more about their programs and how to apply visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Plumbers and Pipefitters Training Center | 5315 S Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109, United States |
Salary
Plumbers in Oklahoma are paid greatly for the hard work they put in every day.
Annual wages can vary from $44031 to $74691.
The current estimated annual average wage is $59302.
Achille and Bennington are tied for the highest annual average wage in the state at $63208.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Achille | $63,208 |
| Bennington | $63,208 |
| Tulsa | $61,085 |
| Broken Arrow | $60,892 |
| Oklahoma City | $58,590 |
| Edmond | $58,397 |
| Norman | $58,205 |
| Enid | $58,012 |
| Stillwater | $58,012 |
| Lawton | $54,581 |
Regional Salary in Oklahoma
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 100 | $52,270 | $25.13 | $73,600 | $30,010 |
| Lawton, OK | 110 | $48,930 | $23.53 | $69,810 | $29,140 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 2,270 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $77,440 | $31,770 |
| Tulsa, OK | 1,780 | $54,980 | $26.43 | $77,250 | $32,190 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take the plumbing exams in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, you can take either of the plumbing exams in the following cities:
- Lawton
- McAlester
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
- Woodward
When should I renew my plumbing license in Oklahoma?
Both the Journeyman and Contractor licenses in Oklahoma expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month every year, so you should renew them annually up to that date.
How much does a plumbing license renewal cost in Oklahoma?
Plumbing license renewal fees differ depending on the license you are renewing.
- Journeyman Plumber License renewal – $75
- Plumbing Contractor License renewal – $200
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