Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

What Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners does

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is a Texas state government regulatory agency established in 1947 under Chapter 1301 of the Texas Occupations Code. It is the sole licensing authority for plumbers in Texas, regulating four license types (Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, and Plumbing Inspector), three endorsements (Medical Gas Piping Installation, Water Supply Protection Specialist, and Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist), and apprentice/registration categories. The agency oversees more than 70,000 licensees statewide and operates from a 23,533-square-foot state-owned headquarters in Austin (relocated in September 2025 from a leased facility at a savings of over $353,000 annually) and a practical examination center on the Texas State Technical College campus in Waco. Computer-based examinations are administered through a network of more than 60 Pearson VUE testing centers across Texas.

TSBPE's technology stack centers on an Online Licensing System (operated in partnership with the Texas Health Professions Council) for license applications, renewals, and certificate-of-insurance processing, supplemented by a Public License Search database and a Find-a-Plumber searchable map tool built with the Texas Department of Emergency Management. The agency's flagship technology product is Ask Kevin+, an AI-powered chatbot launched in April 2026 (the "+" upgrade of the original Ask Kevin launched in October 2023) that accepts both natural-language text queries and uploaded photos of plumbing installations, performs code-based analysis drawing on the plumbing codes adopted by more than 300 Texas municipalities, and supports English and Spanish. Ask Kevin+ is described as the first state regulatory agency chatbot in the United States with image-based code analysis and handles an estimated 60–100 conversations per day.

The agency's revenue model is not commercial. As a state regulatory entity, TSBPE is funded through licensing fees, examination fees, and legislative appropriations; per the source, "TSBPE does not generate revenue" in the conventional sense. Fee schedules are modest and per-license-type (e.g., Master Plumber $75 renewal; Journeyman $40 renewal; Tradesman $35 renewal; Responsible Master Plumber designation $300 renewal; Apprentice $15 registration) and all online payments are non-refundable and processed through the Texas.gov portal. The agency pursues an enforcement-driven regulatory model with administrative penalties up to $4,000 per violation for employing unregistered individuals, a standard tightened in December 2025 to eliminate reduced settlements beginning January 2026.

Name

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Legal name

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Website

https://tsbpe.texas.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is a Texas state regulatory agency that licenses and regulates more than 70,000 plumbers and inspectors statewide, administering examinations through Pearson VUE and a TSTC Waco exam center and operating the Ask Kevin+ AI chatbot for code guidance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Licensing and Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Licensing & Permitting Authorities (General) (BPAIAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory Compliance, Licensing & Enforcement (Public Health) (HLAJAMAE), Plumbing Inspection, Preventive Maintenance & Code Compliance (HSAOAAAI)

Keywords

• Plumbing licensing services
• Tradesman examination administration
• Plumbing regulatory compliance
• Professional license verification
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. License and Registration Fees: Government regulatory agency funded primarily through licensing fees. Revenue generated from initial license applications, renewals, exam fees, endorsement fees, and registration fees for apprentices and specialty trades.
2. Examination Fees: Fees collected for examination administration including tradesman, journeyman, master plumber, plumbing inspector, and endorsement exams.
3. Certificate of Insurance Processing: Fees and administrative processing for Responsible Master Plumber certificates of insurance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TSBPE licenses and regulates the plumbing trade in Texas by issuing professional licenses (Master, Journeyman, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Plumbing Inspector), registrations (Apprentice, Drain Cleaner, Residential Utilities Installer), and specialty endorsements (Medical Gas, Water Supply Protection, Multipurpose Residential Fire Sprinkler). It administers competency examinations through Pearson VUE computer-based testing and a practical exam center in Waco, maintains a public licensee registry, hears complaints, and enforces the Plumbing License Law under Chapter 1301 of the Texas Occupations Code.

Product overview

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is a state regulatory agency, not a commercial technology company. Its 'products and services' are regulatory programs and systems that serve over 70,000 licensees. The primary technology product is Ask Kevin+, an AI chatbot launched in April 2026 that provides regulatory guidance via natural language and image analysis. Supporting digital platforms include the Online Licensing System (for applications, renewals, and account management), the Public License Search (for verifying licensee status), and the Find-a-Plumber map tool. TSBPE issues four types of plumbing licenses (Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Plumbing Inspector) and three types of endorsements (Medical Gas Piping Installation, Water Supply Protection Specialist, Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist), along with apprentice and tradesman registrations. Practical examinations are administered at the Waco Examination Center on Texas State Technical College's campus. The agency operates under the Plumbing License Law (Chapter 1301, Texas Occupations Code) and protects public health and safety through licensure, examinations, and enforcement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master Plumber License Highest-tier plumbing license in Texas requiring passage of the Master Plumber Examination. Permits installation, change, repair, service, or renovation of plumbing under supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber. May be held simultaneously with a Journeyman license.
• Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) Designation Designation for Master Plumbers who maintain a $300,000 minimum commercial liability insurance policy and supervise plumbing work and subcontractors. Required for companies contracting plumbing services to the public.
• Journeyman Plumber License Mid-tier Texas plumbing license requiring at least 8,000 hours of experience and passage of the Journeyman Plumber Examination. Permits plumbing work under RMP supervision and direct supervision of apprentices.
• Tradesman Plumber-Limited License Entry-level Texas plumbing license requiring at least 4,000 hours of experience. Permits plumbing work for one- and two-family dwellings under RMP supervision, and may directly supervise apprentices on such job sites.
• Plumbing Inspector License License authorizing inspection of plumbing within affiliated political subdivisions. Requires high school diploma or GED, 500 hours of training/experience, and passage of the Plumbing Inspector Examination. Inspectors must be employed by or contracted with a political subdivision.
• Plumber's Apprentice Registration Entry-level registration for individuals learning the plumbing trade. Must be at least 16 years old. Hours worked before registration do not count toward license exam requirements; registrants may learn and assist with plumbing installation under direct supervision of a licensed plumber.
• Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement Endorsement for Journeyman, Master, or Plumbing Inspector licenses authorizing installation and inspection of medical gas and vacuum piping systems. Requires a 24-hour training program based on NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code; renews every three years.
• Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement Endorsement for Journeyman, Master, or Plumbing Inspector licenses authorizing installation, service, repair, and inspection of rainwater harvesting and potable water supply systems. Requires a 24-hour training program and includes authority to perform customer service inspections per 30 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 290.
• Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement Endorsement for Journeyman, Master, or Plumbing Inspector licenses authorizing installation and inspection of multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings. Requires a 24-hour training program based on NFPA 13D and ASSE Series 7000.
• Drain Cleaner Registration Registration add-on for Plumber's Apprentice or Tradesman Plumber-Limited licenses. Permits installation of cleanouts and removal/reset of p-traps to eliminate obstructions in building drains and sewers under general RMP supervision.
• Residential Utilities Installer Registration Registration add-on for Plumber's Apprentice. Permits construction and installation of yard water service piping and building sewers for one- and two-family dwellings under general RMP supervision. Requires 2,000 hours of plumbing experience.
• Ask Kevin+ AI Chatbot AI-powered chatbot (built on Chatbase) providing 24/7 regulatory guidance on Texas plumbing laws, licensing requirements, and plumbing codes. Accepts text queries and uploaded photos for code-based analysis covering over 300 Texas municipal code adoptions. Available via TSBPE website and Facebook Messenger.
• Online Licensing System Web-based portal for applying for and renewing plumbing licenses, registrations, and endorsements; updating addresses; uploading certificates of insurance; and managing user accounts. Operated in partnership with HPC (Texas Health Professions Council).
• Public License Search Searchable database allowing the public to verify license and registration status, check fingerprint submission status, and view inspector affiliations across all licensee types.
• Find-a-Plumber Map Searchable map tool, developed with Texas Department of Emergency Management, populated with licensed plumber data from the Public License Search database. Enables consumers to locate licensed plumbers by geographic area across Texas.
• Waco Practical Examination Center State-of-the-art practical examination facility located on the Texas State Technical College Waco campus. Hosts practical exams for all license, registration, and endorsement types. Operating since 2022.
• Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Oversight Regulatory oversight of approved Continuing Professional Education (6-hour CPE courses and exam preparation courses) administered by approved third-party providers, allowing licensees and registrants to meet annual continuing education requirements.
• Complaint Filing and Enforcement System Process for submitting complaints against unlicensed individuals or licensees/registrants who violate the plumbing license law. Complaints are investigated by the Enforcement Department, with administrative penalties up to $4,000 per violation for employing unregistered individuals.
• Inspector Affiliation Update System Online system for authorized representatives of cities or political subdivisions to update or add plumbing inspector affiliations. Required for maintaining plumbing inspector licensure as inspectors must remain affiliated with a political subdivision.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,000+ licensed professionals regulated and monitored for compliance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Computer-based examination administration through 60+ testing centers across Texas. Handles exam scheduling, administration, and grading for all TSBPE licensure and endorsement examinations.
• Texas State Technical College (TSTC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022TSBPE maintains an exam center on TSTC's Waco campus for practical examinations. Partnership creates streamlined opportunities for qualified graduates to enter plumbing profession. TSTC plumbing program graduates receive expedited access to entry-level certification.
• Texas Education Agency (TEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development of plumbing curriculum programs for 60 high schools across Texas. First graduates completed studies in May/June 2025.
• Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Find-a-Plumber searchable map tool that pulls data from Public License Search to help consumers locate licensed plumbers statewide.
• Texas Facilities Commission (TFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to identify and transition to state-owned Cameron Road facility, eliminating over $353,000 in annual lease costs.
• Texas Secretary of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial repository for TSBPE rules and regulations; publishes board meeting agendas in Texas Register and maintains official Plumbing License Law (Chapter 1301, Texas Occupations Code).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Texas's umbrella occupational licensing agency regulating dozens of trades and professions beyond plumbing. TSBPE sits outside TDLR, but TDLR is the most likely destination if plumbing regulation were ever consolidated, making it the closest comparable state licensing body.

Direct peers

• California Contractors State License Board (CSLB): The largest US state agency responsible for licensing and regulating contractors, including plumbing classifications, with comparable functions in license issuance, examinations, enforcement, and consumer lookup. Most direct functional analog to TSBPE outside Texas.
• Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB): Florida's state regulatory body that licenses and disciplines construction industry professionals including plumbers. Operates under the DBPR with similar license categories, examination administration, and enforcement powers as TSBPE.
• Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS): Another Texas state licensing board that regulates a technical trade with similar executive director and board governance structures, fee-funded operations, and online licensing portal experience directly relevant to TSBPE.
• Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC): Sister Texas state agency licensing a large professional population with comparable fee-based funding, governor-appointed commissioners, online renewal systems, complaint-driven enforcement, and continuing education oversight.
• Texas Medical Board (TMB): Another large Texas state licensing agency with comparable functions in license issuance, examinations, enforcement, complaint investigation, and online licensee lookup for a regulated professional population.

Regional players

• New York City Department of Buildings: Issues plumbing licenses, administers examinations, and enforces plumbing code within New York City. Comparable in licensing and enforcement scope but operates at a municipal level within a single large metro rather than statewide.

Others

• National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA): Industry association representing state agencies that regulate the construction trades. Provides accreditation and reciprocity frameworks that directly involve agencies like TSBPE in cross-state license recognition.
• Chatbase: AI chatbot platform on which Ask Kevin+ is built. A core technology vendor whose roadmap, model updates, and pricing directly shape TSBPE's chatbot capability and economics.
• Idemia (IdentoGO): Vendor that operates IdentoGO, TSBPE's fingerprint and criminal background check partner for all applicants and licensees. Comparable as a government-services technology vendor integrated into the licensing workflow.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeJNnVo0mVjCZtXiwsKEMtg
• Facebookfacebook.com/TSBPEofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners