OklahomaOklahoma plumbing law sets exam scores and limits home plumbing work
Starting November 1, 2026, plumbing exams require a 70% passing score, while residential plumbers may work only in certain homes under a licensed contractor.
What it does
Plumbing license exams require a score of at least 70% to pass. Applicants who fail must wait 30 days before retaking an exam, including after later failures.
Residential journeyman plumbers may work only in qualifying one- or two-home buildings, such as a detached home or duplex. They must work for a licensed plumbing contractor and cannot take plumbing contracts themselves.
Plumbing contractor applicants must meet journeyman exam requirements plus one year of experience. Contractors must tell their surety which municipalities they will work in.
Argument forA 70% passing score could give plumbing license applicants a clear target when preparing for exams.
Argument againstResidential plumbers could have fewer job options because their license excludes apartments and other buildings with more than two homes.
More detail
Applicants who fail a plumbing license exam must wait 30 days before taking it again, and all exams require a score of at least 70% to pass. These rules cover exams for journeyman plumber, residential journeyman plumber, and plumbing contractor licenses. These rules take effect November 1, 2026.
Residential journeyman plumbers may work only on qualifying one- or two-home buildings and must be employed and supervised by a licensed plumbing contractor. A qualifying building has no more than two homes and at least five feet of separation from another dwelling or structure, regardless of firewalls. Examples include a detached home or duplex. The license does not cover apartments, motels, or multifamily townhomes. Residential journeyman plumbers may not contract for work or supply labor and materials. For commercial or industrial plumbing work, they must work for a licensed plumbing contractor and keep an apprentice registration. These rules take effect November 1, 2026.
Plumbing contractor applicants must meet journeyman plumber exam requirements plus one additional year of experience. Contractors must notify their surety of the municipalities where they will work. The added experience requirement applies to plumbing contractor applicants. The notice requirement applies to plumbing contractors. A license is issued only after the applicant passes the applicable exam, pays the fees, and meets the other requirements of the plumbing law. These rules take effect November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Fourth Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 6Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Fourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 70 Nays: 21Major
- May 6SA's read, adoptedMajor
- May 5SA's received
- May 5Engrossed to HouseMajor
- May 4Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 4Measure passed: Ayes: 37 Nays: 9Major
- May 4General Order, Amended by Floor Substitute
- Apr 21Remove as coauthor Senator Boren
- Apr 14Placed on General Order
- Apr 13Coauthored by Senator Boren
- Apr 9Reported Do Pass Business and Insurance committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to Business and InsuranceMinor
- Mar 26First ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 25Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 69 Nays: 26Passed House
- Mar 25Title restored
- Mar 25Amended by floor substitute
- Mar 25Considered
- Mar 25Laid over
- Mar 25General Order
- Mar 9Title stricken
- Mar 9Authored by Senator Bullard (principal Senate author)
- Mar 9CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Rules CommitteeMinor
- Mar 5
- Vote recorded Rules Committee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative Hays
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
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