Unlicensed Plumbing Penalty in Texas: 2026 Fines, Criminal Charges, and Homeowner Risks

Starting January 1, 2026, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) eliminated reduced-penalty settlements for unlicensed plumbing violations. Every offense now carries the full $4,000 fine per violation with no negotiation. That policy shift, combined with a 150% increase in TSBPE enforcement citations over the past 2 years, means the risks of hiring or performing unlicensed plumbing work in Texas have never been higher.

What are the actual penalties? Unlicensed plumbing in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor under Occupations Code Section 1301.508, punishable by fines up to $500 per offense. But criminal fines are just the starting point. TSBPE can impose administrative penalties up to $5,000 per violation per day the violation continues. Is unlicensed plumbing a criminal offense? Yes. It carries a criminal misdemeanor classification in addition to administrative penalties. Can homeowners get fined for hiring an unlicensed plumber? Not directly through criminal charges, but homeowners face serious financial consequences: voided insurance claims, no warranty protection, failed inspections, and full liability for any resulting damage. How much changed in 2026? Before 2026, TSBPE routinely settled violations for reduced amounts. That option is gone. The full $4,000 per violation now applies to every case.

Below you’ll find a breakdown of criminal vs. administrative penalties, what happens to homeowners who hire unlicensed workers, the homeowner exception for DIY plumbing, and how to verify any plumber’s license before hiring.

What Changed in 2026: TSBPE’s No-Settlement Enforcement Policy

In December 2025, the TSBPE Board voted to eliminate its long-standing practice of accepting reduced settlements for unlicensed plumbing violations. Before this change, violators could often negotiate penalties down to a fraction of the statutory amount.

The board took this action after TSBPE enforcement data showed a 150% increase in citations for unlicensed plumbing activity between 2022 and 2024. In FY2023 alone, TSBPE took 292 enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. The no-settlement policy signals that the agency considers reduced penalties a failed deterrent and is shifting to full-penalty enforcement across the board.

Criminal Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing in Texas

Under Texas Occupations Code Section 1301.508, performing plumbing work without a valid license is a Class C misdemeanor. Here’s what that means in practice:

The per-day accumulation is where criminal penalties escalate quickly. A plumber working unlicensed for 10 days on a project could face 10 separate Class C charges, totaling up to $5,000 in criminal fines alone. These criminal penalties are separate from, and stack on top of, TSBPE’s administrative fines.

Local municipalities in Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and other DFW cities can also enforce their own permitting requirements. Work performed without proper permits, regardless of licensing status, can result in stop-work orders and additional municipal fines.

Administrative Fines: Up to $5,000 Per Violation Per Day

TSBPE’s administrative penalty authority operates independently from the criminal court system. The board can impose civil fines without a criminal conviction.

The $4,000 employer/subcontractor penalty is especially significant. A licensed contractor who subcontracts work to an unlicensed individual faces the same $4,000 per violation as the unlicensed worker, with no option to negotiate the amount down under the 2026 policy.

TSBPE investigators actively monitor online ads, social media, and home-service platforms for unlicensed operators. Complaints from homeowners, licensed contractors, and building inspectors also trigger investigations.

What Happens to Homeowners Who Hire Unlicensed Plumbers

Texas law doesn’t impose criminal penalties on homeowners who unknowingly hire unlicensed plumbers. But the financial and legal fallout can be far worse than any fine.

Insurance claim denial. Most homeowner’s insurance policies require that plumbing work be performed by a licensed contractor. If unlicensed work causes a leak, flood, or gas incident, your insurer can deny the claim entirely. A single denied slab leak or water damage claim in North Texas can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more.

No warranty or legal recourse. Licensed contractors carry insurance, pull permits, and provide written warranties. Unlicensed workers typically offer none of these protections. If the work fails, you have no warranty to fall back on and limited legal options for recovery.

Failed inspections and permit issues. Plumbing work that requires a permit but doesn’t have one can be flagged during a home sale inspection or a city audit. You may be required to tear out the work and have it redone by a licensed contractor at your expense.

Home resale complications. Undisclosed unpermitted work can create title and disclosure issues when selling your home. Buyers and their inspectors look for permit records, and missing permits raise red flags that can delay or kill a sale.

The Homeowner Exception: What You Can Legally DIY

Texas law does provide a homeowner exception under Occupations Code Section 1301.002. You can perform plumbing work on your own homestead without a license, but the exception has strict limits.

Even under the homeowner exception, you must still pull permits for work that requires them and pass city inspections. The exception only covers the licensing requirement. It doesn’t exempt you from building codes, permit requirements, or inspection standards.

Common work that typically requires a permit in Plano and most DFW cities includes water heater replacement, sewer line repair or replacement, gas line modifications, and whole-house repiping. A simple faucet or toilet repair usually does not require a permit.

How to Verify a Texas Plumber’s License

Checking a plumber’s license takes less than 2 minutes and protects you from every risk outlined above.

1. Visit the TSBPE license verification page at tdlr.texas.gov
2. Search by company name, individual name, or license number
3. Confirm the license status shows “Active”
4. Verify the license type matches the work being performed (Master Plumber, Journeyman, or Tradesman Plumber)
5. Ask for proof of insurance and confirm they pull permits for work that requires them

A legitimate plumber won’t hesitate to provide their license number. Staggs Plumbing holds Texas Plumber License #17697 (TSBPE, Active), verifiable on the TSBPE website. As a company regulated by the same enforcement body discussed throughout this article, Staggs Plumbing has operated under Texas plumbing law since Randy Staggs entered the trade in 1981. All Staggs technicians are W-2 employees who are licensed or actively pursuing licensure, background-checked, and insured.

Why Licensed Plumbing Costs Less Than You Think

The price gap between licensed and unlicensed plumbing work often looks significant on a quote. But the total cost of unlicensed work, once you factor in the risks, almost always exceeds the upfront savings.

Staggs Plumbing provides upfront flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, 0% financing on qualifying work, and written warranties ranging from 1 to 10 years by service type. Permits are pulled for all required work, and city inspections are coordinated so you don’t have to manage the process. With 530+ verified reviews at a 4.9-star average and a BBB A+ rating held since 2014, the value extends well beyond the initial price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hiring a licensed plumber is the single most effective way to protect your home, your insurance coverage, and your investment. Staggs Plumbing has served Plano and the DFW metroplex since 1990 with Texas Plumber License #17697, a BBB A+ rating, and 40+ years of experience operating under the same Texas plumbing laws that protect homeowners. Call 972-833-8660 for upfront pricing, permit-compliant work, and written warranties on every job.