Practice for the Texas journeyman plumber exam: Texas license rules, OSHA trench and ladder safety and the math behind fall, offsets, pressure and volume, each with its official source.
Question of the day
Exam rules
Where is the practical (hands-on) part of the journeyman exam given?
About the exam
In the official pages' own words, checked October 30, 2026. Confirm on the linked page before you register.
“the Computer-Based Test portion of the Journeyman Plumber Examination is administered by Pearson VUE.” TSBPE ↗
“The examination is not specific to any one of the plumbing codes named above. In other words, the individual needs to study only one of the above named codes and not both.” www.pearsonvue.com ↗
“you have at least 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade” TSBPE ↗
“you have completed a 48-hour training course approved by the TSBPE or you are enrolled and in or have completed a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship” TSBPE ↗
OSHA 10-Hour card. Many contractors ask for one. It's a course completion card, not a license or certification, and only an OSHA-authorized trainer can give it, in a class or online. OSHA's list of authorized online trainers ↗ includes CareerSafe ↗, for one.
What the job is like
The work, the training and the pay nationwide, in about 90 seconds.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Career VideoCareerOneStop · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Tap CC on the player for captions. On CareerOneStop ↗
Free study videos
They help you study but don't count toward a license, card or certification. Picked by us from YouTube; nothing loads until you tap play.
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE): Who We ArePHCC TEXAS · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Short intro to the board that licenses Texas plumbers, from the Texas plumbing contractors' association.
Trench Cave In | Oregon OSHA compliance officer caught cave in on tapeOregon Occupational Safety & Health (Oregon OSHA) · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Real footage of a trench wall collapsing, from a state OSHA program: why protective systems matter. Not Texas-specific.
Construction Safety: Trenching and Excavation SafetyNAHBTV · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
The National Association of Home Builders on trench hazards, ladders and protective systems. General, not Texas-specific.
What To Expect on Your Texas Plumbing Exam! (Practical & Dollhouse!)David Butler - Serving Up Plumbing! · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
A Texas plumber walks through the practical: shop work and the 'dollhouse' drainage and vent model. Texas-specific.
How to Become a Journeyman Plumber in TexasRoger Wakefield Plumbing Education · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
A Texas master plumber on the route from apprentice to journeyman. Check hours and fees against TSBPE's pages.
The EASIEST way to calculate a 45° offset! | GOT2LEARNGot2Learn · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Offset × 1.414 = travel, shown step by step. General, not Texas-specific.
Piping a 45 degree rolling offsetTradestutor · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Rolling offsets with the Pythagorean theorem, then travel from the true offset. General, not Texas-specific.
Seguridad en ZanjasNAHBTV · YouTube · en español · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Trench safety in Spanish from the National Association of Home Builders. General, not Texas-specific.
“Current (not expired) US or state government-issued photographic identification”
“Short pants and open toed shoes are not allowed to be worn in the examination area.” www.pearsonvue.com ↗
“To apply for the Journeyman Plumber Examination you must submit a completed application with all supporting documentation, your Employer Certification Form(s), and a $40 fee to the TSBPE.” TSBPE ↗
“Once you have successfully passed the exam, you must submit a $40 fee to obtain your certificate of licensure and pocket card.” TSBPE ↗
“Your initial written examination authorization is good for up to five attempts.” www.pearsonvue.com ↗
“Your attempts must be completed within one year from the initial TSBPE application authorization.” www.pearsonvue.com ↗
“Note: Practical Exams are only offered at TSBPE WACO and AUSTIN locations.” www.pearsonvue.com ↗
“The TSBPE furnishes all materials needed to take the examination.” www.pearsonvue.com ↗
“Typical processing times range from 30-45 days following the receipt of straightforward applications” TSBPE ↗
“The board shall develop a review course in English and Spanish to assist license applicants in preparation for each license examination offered by the board.” statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↗
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