01/25/2026
🚨🔧 How to Choose a Plumber in Texas (and Protect Yourself After a Freeze)
With freezes comes broken pipes…
And with broken pipes comes a LOT of people calling whoever answers the phone first.
Before you hire “Handy Andy” or “Chuck with a truck”, here’s how to make sure you’re protected 👇
✅ 1. Make sure they’re actually licensed in Texas
In Texas, ALL plumbing work must be performed under a licensed plumber.
That means:
✔ They must work under a Responsible Master Plumber (RMP)
✔ That RMP number must be valid and active
✔ You can (and should) ask for it
No license = no legal plumbing authority in Texas.
✅ 2. Verify their license with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
You don’t have to guess — the State gives you a way to check.
You can search any plumber here:
👉 Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners https://tsbpe.texas.gov/
You’ll be able to see:
• Their license status
• What level they are
• Whether it’s active or expired
If they won’t give you their license info — that’s your sign 🚩
✅ 3. Understand Texas Plumbing License Levels (and How to Verify Them)
Texas plumbing licenses are structured in levels — and not all “master plumbers” are legally allowed to operate a plumbing company.
Here is how it actually works in Texas 👇
🔹 Responsible Master Plumber (RMP)
This is the highest level and the one that legally allows a plumbing company to operate.
An RMP is:
✔ A Master Plumber
✔ Properly insured
✔ Registered with the State to take responsibility for all plumbing work performed by the company
👉 ONLY an RMP can legally run a plumbing company in Texas.
🔹 Master Plumber
A Master Plumber has passed the highest plumbing exam — but that alone does NOT allow them to operate a company.
To become an RMP, a Master Plumber must:
• First obtain insurance
• Then register with the State
• And pay the additional RMP licensing fee
Without becoming an RMP, a Master Plumber cannot legally operate a plumbing business in Texas.
🔹 Journeyman Plumber
A fully licensed plumber who works under an RMP.
Journeymen can perform plumbing work — but only under the responsibility of a registered RMP.
🔹 Tradesman Plumber
An entry-level licensed plumber, also working under an RMP and Journeyman supervision.
🔹 Apprentice Plumber
Someone in training who must work under direct supervision and cannot operate independently.
🔍 Your Right as a Homeowner (This Is Important)
You are legally allowed to ask for:
✔ Their plumbing license/number
✔ Their RMP number
✔ And proof of insurance / Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Any legitimate plumbing company will gladly provide this.
If a contractor:
❌ Refuses to show licensing
❌ Won’t provide insurance proof
❌ Or gets defensive when asked
That’s a major red flag 🚩
✅ 4. Make sure they are INSURED
This is huge.
If a plumber:
• Breaks something
• Floods your home
• Causes a fire
• Or damages your structure
And they don’t have insurance…
💥 YOU become the one paying for it.
Always ask:
👉 “Are you insured?”
👉 “Can I see your certificate of insurance?”
✅ 5. Handymen & side-work plumbers are NOT legally allowed to do plumbing in Texas
Even if they’re “cheap”
Even if they “know a guy”
Even if they “used to be a plumber”
If they:
❌ Aren’t licensed
❌ Aren’t insured
❌ Aren’t registered with the State
Then they are NOT legally allowed to perform plumbing work in Texas.
And if something goes wrong — there is no protection for you.
✅ 6. Why this matters even MORE after a freeze
After freezes, we see:
• Emergency repairs
• Burst lines
• Attic floods
• Slab leaks
• Water heater failures
This is when:
⚠ Scammers pop up
⚠ Unlicensed work increases
⚠ Homeowners get taken advantage of
A broken pipe is stressful enough — don’t turn it into a lawsuit or insurance nightmare too.
✅ 7. If Someone is Advertising “Plumbing,” They MUST Have an RMP Listed
In Texas, the rules are clear:
🔹 Anyone who advertises plumbing services – on a truck, a billboard, Facebook, radio, website, flyer, or anything offering plumbing work – MUST have a Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) associated with them.
This means:
✔ If the business name, truck, post, ad, or marketing says “plumbing” anywhere on it, it must include the RMP’s name and license number.
✔ The RMP number must be displayed on ALL service vehicles used for plumbing.
✔ The RMP’s license number should be visible in all advertisements designed to solicit plumbing business (including websites and social media).
👉 These rules apply whether:
• It’s a standalone plumbing company
• An HVAC company offering plumbing
• A handyman claiming to do plumbing work
• A general contractor subcontracting plumbing
• Any other party offering to perform plumbing
According to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, no one may offer or perform plumbing work unless secured under the services of an RMP.
🔍 Plumbers Go Through State Vetting and Fingerprinting
To protect the public, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners also performs background screening on licensed plumbers, which includes:
✔ Fingerprinting
✔ Background checks
✔ Verification of eligibility to hold a plumbing license
This means:
• People with certain disqualifying convictions may not be allowed to become licensed
• The state has a record of who you’re hiring
• A licensed plumber isn’t just “registered” — they’ve been vetted by the state
So when you hire a licensed and insured plumber: 👉 You’re hiring someone who has been approved and monitored by the Texas plumbing board — not just someone who put a truck on the street.
🔍 What YOU Can Do as a Homeowner or Business Owner
You have the right to ask for:
✔ The Responsible Master Plumber’s name on the ad or truck
✔ Their RMP license number
✔ Proof the license is current and active
✔ A Certificate of Insurance (COI)
If a plumbing ad or truck:
❌ Doesn’t show an RMP number
❌ Offers plumbing without proper credentials
❌ Or can’t provide insurance proof
…that’s a red flag 🚩
Before hiring anyone, ask:
“Can you show me your RMP number and proof of insurance?”
Any legitimate plumber will provide it without hesitation.
🏆 Hart of Texas Plumbing & Drain Cleaning is fully licensed, insured, and operates under Texas law — because protecting your home is just as important as fixing it.
If you ever want help verifying a plumber or checking a license, feel free to ask.
We’d rather help you choose right than see you get burned later 🔧🔥
So when you need a company you can trust, who is knowledgeable, reputable and has integrity above all, call Hart Of Texas Plumbing & Drain Cleaning a family owned and operated company you can trust serving the Houston and Greater Houston area!! We have 16 years of hands on experience to serve you better!! We believe in doing it right the first time!!
At Hart Of Texas Plumbing you're always in our heart & on our mind.
Call or text - 713-364-3254
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Email - [email protected]
Website - hartoftexasplumbing.com
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