STATE LICENSE
RequiredState of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters…
Code of Ala. § 34-37-6 makes it unlawful to contract, engage, or offer to engage in plumbing without a board certificate in force. Every company must register annually under a 'Principal Master' — a certified master plumber actively connected with the business — and journeymen and apprentices must hold their own certificates or registrations. Journeymen cannot contract on their own; they must work for a registered company with a principal master.
Certificates are statewide and must be accepted by every city, town, and county; § 34-37-8(b) repealed contrary local ordinances and forbids any other local competency exam. From January 1, 2026, master-level applicants must also pass a business law exam ($100) on top of the $160 trade exam. Everything — certificates and company registrations — expires December 31, and company vehicles must show the registered business name on two sides in letters at least two inches high.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Plumbing certificates are accepted by every Alabama city, town, and county, and § 34-37-8(b) bars local governments from requiring any other competency certification or exam. What stays local is permitting and inspection — even exempt work remains subject to inspection under state law and municipal ordinance (§ 34-37-15(a)) — and local officials may require the certificate holder on site when problems develop (§ 34-37-16(a)). The certificate fees are in addition to any local privilege or license taxes (§ 34-37-9). Mobile's contractor guide says the city requires a master plumber or journeyman license to bid plumbing work, and Huntsville requires plumbing and gas contractors to be state-board certified and to buy trade permits.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Alabama county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
All certificates and registrations expire December 31; late renewals pay a penalty equal to the renewal fee, plus back years.
Board rule sets a $500 minimum fine for non-gas violations and $1,000 for gas violations; statute caps civil fines at $2,000 per violation.
Master applicants now pass a business law exam (NASCLA guide plus Alabama supplement) in addition to the trade exam.
A practical sequence for a new plumbing contractor in Alabama. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Violating the plumbing and gas fitting chapter is unlawful and punished as a Class A misdemeanor.
The board may fine registrants, certificate holders, and companies per violation plus hearing costs, and order work stopped.
In post-emergency home repair, concealing noncompliance with § 34-37-17 is a felony.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Whether the 4-hour CE rule ('all certified contractors') applies to journeymen as well as masters · Exam vendor for the master business law exam (the board points to Prov's bookstore for study materials only)
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.