If you have questions about what type of work requires certification as a Master Plumber or Master Gas Fitter, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Alabama Law requires the plumbing and gas fitting trades to be structured as follows:
Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter
This is a person other than a master or journeyman gas fitter or plumber, who is engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of gas pipe, equipment, apparatus, and appliances, and shall work directly under the supervision of a journeyman or master gas fitter or plumber, and who has successfully fulfilled the registration requirements of the board and has been duly registered by the board as such for the current year. The apprentice shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.
Registration: Complete the registration packet located under our Applicants tab, submit a copy of your valid photo identification and submit a form of payment. Please see the forms and applications section under the Applicants tab where you will find an E-check form or a Credit Card Authorization form.
Journeyman Plumber
This is a person who engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of plumbing systems, who has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a journeyman plumber certificate by the board, and possesses a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The journeyman plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.
Individuals who wish to become certified as a Journeyman Plumber must complete a minimum two years as an Apprentice, or successful completion of a board approved apprentice training program combined with time as a registered apprentice that is equal to two-years. Applicants may also submit verifiable documentation of two-years of experience as an apprentice that was gained through other means. Applicants who fall into the latter category must submit a Board Appearance Request form (Located under the forms and applications section under the Applicants Tab). Verifiable documentation of claimed experience must be attached to the Board Appearance Request Form. Once received, the request will be placed on the agenda for the next scheduled Board Meeting.
Individuals who are certified or otherwise licensed in another state as a Journeyman Plumber may take the prescribed exam in Alabama under the following conditions:
- The out of state license must have been issued based on successful completion of an exam with a minimum score of 70%.
- The out of state license must be active and in good standing with no unresolved disciplinary issues.
- The out of state licensing agency must either complete the bottom half of our Request For Verification of License/Registration form, or provide the same information requested on our form on standard agency form or letterhead.
Certification: Once an individual has passed the prescribed examination for Journeyman Plumber, they have 90 days to pay all prescribed fees and become certified.
Journeyman Gas Fitter
This is a person who engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of gas work, who has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a journeyman gas fitter certificate by the board, and possesses a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The journeyman gas fitter shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request
Individuals who wish to become certified as a Journeyman Plumber must complete a minimum two years as an Apprentice, or successful completion of a board approved apprentice training program combined with time as a registered apprentice that is equal to two-years. Applicants may also submit verifiable documentation of two-years of experience as an apprentice that was gained through other means. Applicants who fall into the latter category must submit a Board Appearance Request form (Located under the forms and applications section under the Applicants Tab). Verifiable documentation of claimed experience must be attached to the Board Appearance Request Form. Once received, the request will be placed on the agenda for the next scheduled Board Meeting.
Individuals who are certified or otherwise licensed in another state as a Journeyman Gas Fitter may take the prescribed exam in Alabama under the following conditions:
- The out of state license must have been issued based on successful completion of an exam with a minimum score of 70%.
- The out of state license must be active and in good standing with no unresolved disciplinary issues.
- The out of state licensing agency must either complete the bottom half of our Request For Verification of License/Registration form, or provide the same information requested on our form on standard agency form or letterhead.
Certification: Once an individual has passed the prescribed examination for Journeyman Gas Fitter, they have 90 days to pay all prescribed fees and become certified.
Master Plumber
This is a person or legal entity that engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of plumbing systems, that has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a master plumber certificate by the board, and that possess a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The master plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request. This person may at any time register with the board as principal for any business, firm, or corporation.
To become eligible to take the Master Plumber Exam, an individual must be certified as a Journeyman Plumber for a minimum of one year.
Individuals who are certified or otherwise licensed in another state as a Master Plumber may take the prescribed exam in Alabama under the following conditions:
- The out of state license must have been issued based on successful completion of an exam with a minimum score of 70%.
- The out of state license must be active and in good standing with no unresolved disciplinary issues.
- The out of state licensing agency must either complete the bottom half of our Request For Verification of License/Registration form, or provide the same information requested on our form on standard agency form or letterhead.
Certification: Once an individual has passed the prescribed examination for Master Plumber, they have 90 days to pay all prescribed fees and become certified.
Master Gas Fitter
This is a person or legal entity that engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of plumbing systems, that has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a master plumber certificate by the board, and that possess a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The master plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request. This person may at any time register with the board as principal for any business, firm, or corporation.
To become eligible to take the Master Plumber Exam, an individual must be certified as a Journeyman Plumber for a minimum of one year.
Individuals who are certified or otherwise licensed in another state as a Master Plumber may take the prescribed exam in Alabama under the following conditions:
- The out of state license must have been issued based on successful completion of an exam with a minimum score of 70%.
- The out of state license must be active and in good standing with no unresolved disciplinary issues.
- The out of state licensing agency must either complete the bottom half of our Request For Verification of License/Registration form, or provide the same information requested on our form on standard agency form or letterhead.
Certification: Once an individual has passed the prescribed examination for Master Plumber, they have 90 days to pay all prescribed fees and become certified.
Medical Gas Piping Fitter
A master plumber or master gas fitter who holds a current certificate for installation of medical gas piping. A journeyman plumber, journeyman gas fitter, apprentice plumber, or apprentice gas fitter who holds a current certificate for installation of medical gas piping shall be entitled to install medical gas piping under the direction of a master plumber or master gas fitter whose certificate entitles him or her to install medical gas piping. An apprentice plumber or apprentice gas fitter who holds a current certificate for medical gas piping shall at all times be under the direct supervision of either a master or journeyman who also holds a current certificate. The medical gas piping fitter shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate issued by the board. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.
This is an endorsement certification. To obtain this certification with the Alabama Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board you must hold a current and valid certification from a 3rd party as an ASSE 6010 Installer in addition to one of the following registrations or certifications:
- Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter
- Journeyman Plumber
- Journeyman Gas Fitter
- Master Plumber
- Master Gas Fitter
Card will be issued upon verification of qualifications and payment of all prescribed fees.
*Apprentices holding Med-Gas certification must still be supervised by a Master or Journeyman.
Companies Performing Plumbing or Gas Fitting Work
All companies must register with the board prior to bidding on or performing work in Alabama. Every company must have a Principal Master designee. This is the individual who is responsible for the work performed by the registered company. Journeyman and Apprentice level employees working for the registered company must also be certified or registered with the board.
Registration: The process of application with the board with regard to apprentice plumbers, apprentice gas fitters, all corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies and all other legal entities engaging in the business of plumbing or gas fitting, or both, within the State of Alabama.
Principal Master: The individual responsible for the contracting, superintending, installation, maintenance, or repair of plumbing or gas fitting systems, or both, for any legal entity, who is actively and continuously connected with the conduct of the business, and is responsible to the board for those responsibilities. The individual shall qualify to be a certified master gas fitter or a certified master plumber, or both. In addition, a principal must meet these requirements:
- At least one active employee of the legal entity shall be a duly registered and certified master gas fitter or plumber as defined in this section, actively and continuously connected with the conduct of the business and registered with the board as the principal of the business.
- The principal master gas fitter or master plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate issued by the board. The certificate shall be available for the inspection on request.