The Florida plumbing trade knowledge exam is the only Construction Industry Licensing Board exam still given on paper. It is held on scheduled dates in the Orlando area, it runs in a morning and an afternoon session, and a third of the points that decide whether you pass come from five isometric drawings you draw by hand. Business and Finance, the other required exam, is computer-based and scheduled separately. Everything below comes from DBPR's plumbing Candidate Information Booklet (CIB), the plumbing ECI and the 2026 reference list.
Format
| Item | Plumbing trade knowledge exam |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Paper and pencil, answer sheet, Orlando/Kissimmee area |
| Morning session | 4.5 hours: 45 multiple-choice questions + 5 isometric drawings |
| Afternoon session | 4.5 hours: 65 multiple-choice questions |
| Reporting times | 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM |
| Points | 110 (1 per question) + 50 (up to 10 per drawing) = 160 |
| To pass | 112 of 160 (70%) |
| Open book | Yes |
| Administered | Normally February, April, June, August, October and December |
If pilot questions are included, DBPR adds time to each session.
The scoring math
The multiple choice is worth 110 points total, and you need 112. You cannot pass on multiple choice alone. DBPR's CILB FAQ gives the borderline case: 111 of 160 is 69.38% and fails. Look at it from the other side: a candidate who earns 40 of 50 isometric points needs 72 of 110 multiple-choice questions (65%). A candidate who earns 25 needs 87 (79%). Strong isometrics take a lot of pressure off the multiple choice.
How the isometric drawings are graded
Each drawing is scored against eight criteria. The CIB lists the points:
| Criterion | What graders check | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Legibility | Clear, readable, adequate size; lines and labels distinguishable | 8 |
| Orientation | All fixtures in the correct location relative to each other | 20 |
| Flow | Direction of flow shown where piping goes from vertical to horizontal, for all waste lines and fixture connections (not required for vents) | 12 |
| Angles | Uses 30-60-90 degree angles at the correct orientation | 8 |
| Piping | All pipes, fittings, traps and cleanouts shown exactly as on the drawing, at the correct elevation relative to the floor plan | 20 |
| Labeling | Fixtures labeled per the legend in the exam instructions | 4 |
| Vents | All vents properly indicated | 16 |
| Fixtures | Every fixture on the floor plan shown on the isometric | 12 |
| Total | 100, converted to a 10-point scale |
Each drawing is graded independently by three licensed plumbing contractors. At least two of the three must agree a criterion is met for its points to count. The criterion is all or nothing: if two graders mark it incorrect, you get no points for it.
Two details from the CIB are worth noting:
- P-traps: show P-traps wherever the trap is not integral to the fixture (floor drains, sinks, drinking fountains, mop sinks, tubs). For this exam, add them to water closets and urinals too unless the drawing says the trap is built in. When in doubt, draw it.
- Draw what is shown, "regardless of specific code requirements." The piping criterion grades fidelity to the plan, not code compliance.
The 2026 reference list tells candidates to bring a small 30/60-degree triangle for the isometric drawings.
Multiple-choice content outline
From the plumbing ECI (revised September 5, 2014):
| Area | Topic | Weight | Approx. questions of 110 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Drainage | 20% | 22 |
| B | Water distribution | 20% | 22 |
| C | Natural gas piping | 15% | 16 to 17 |
| D | Medical gas piping | 20% | 22 |
| E | Industrial piping | 10% | 11 |
| F | Swimming pools, wells and irrigation | 5% | 5 to 6 |
| G | Solar | 5% | 5 to 6 |
| H | Fire protection | 5% | 5 to 6 |
The ECI says isometric content conforms to these same areas. Knowledge expected across all areas includes reading plans, specifications and codes; basic math (percentages, square roots, area and volume, triangles, simple algebra); components and installation; maintenance; OSHA; isometric drawing and interpretation; and tools and equipment.
Medical gas is 20%, the same as drainage and water distribution. For candidates whose work is residential, it is often the largest gap, and NFPA 99 is the reference.
Reference books (2026)
| Ref | Title |
|---|---|
| R44 | Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C., Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (bound PDF allowed) |
| R46 | Code of Federal Regulations, OSHA 29 Part 1926 |
| R63 | Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th Edition |
| R66 | NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems |
| R75 | NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities (Chapters 3 and 5, Annexes A and C) |
| R139 | Plumber's Handbook Revised (5th or 6th edition) |
| R145 | Solar Thermal Manual: Solar Water and Pool Heating Manual (bound PDF allowed) |
| R202 | Florida Building Code, Mechanical |
| R203 | Florida Building Code, Accessibility |
| R214 | Florida Building Code, Plumbing |
| R250 | Florida Building Code, Residential |
| R269 | Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas |
Which book answers what
| Area | Likely references |
|---|---|
| Drainage, water distribution | FBC Plumbing; FBC Residential; Plumber's Handbook |
| Natural gas | FBC Fuel Gas |
| Medical gas | NFPA 99 |
| Industrial piping | FBC Mechanical; Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters |
| Pools, wells, irrigation, septic | FBC Plumbing; Chapter 64E-6 |
| Solar | Solar Thermal Manual |
| Fire protection | NFPA 14 |
| Safety | OSHA 29 CFR 1926 |
Book rules and tabbing
The plumbing CIB uses the same rules as the computer exams: original editions (listed PDFs bound, not stapled), highlighting allowed, no notes, and only permanently attached tabs with normal chapter or page headings. Removable tabs must come off before you arrive. The CIB adds that boxes may not be used to store books on the table.
Tab the FBC Plumbing volume by chapter (fixtures, water supply, sanitary drainage, vents, traps, storm drainage) since the drainage, venting and water distribution areas together are a large share of the test. Tab NFPA 99 at its gas and vacuum systems chapter.
Answer sheet rules (paper exam)
The CIB is specific:
- Bubble your candidate ID, exam number and the first four letters of your last name.
- Only answers on the answer sheet are scored, not marks in the test booklet.
- Do not wait for the 15-minute warning to transfer answers; you will not have time, and you cannot transfer after time is called.
- Morning answers cannot be transferred during the afternoon session.
- There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.
Registration, dates and results
- Register with Professional Testing, Inc. (PTI). Your application and fees must arrive at least 30 days before the exam date.
- Fees: $135 registration to PTI and $80 exam administration to DBPR (PTI's form describes this as $215 total). Business and Finance is $80 more at Pearson VUE.
- PTI accepts date changes for the paper exam only if made at least 15 days before your test date.
- Admission slips are mailed and emailed about 20 to 25 days before the exam. If yours has not arrived 7 days before, the CIB says to contact the vendor immediately.
- A no-show fails and forfeits the fee.
- Pass all parts within four years of your first exam; attempts are unlimited within that window.
The official documents do not fully agree on the day pattern or the city. The plumbing CIB describes a one-day exam in Orlando, normally on a Wednesday; the Exams at a Glance sheet says Tuesday or Wednesday. DBPR's construction examinations page lists 2026 plumbing dates as two-day spans (April 14 to 15, June 2 to 3, and August 11 to 12, 2026) in Kissimmee, at the Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Building. PTI's confirmation and your admission slip give your exact date, time and location.
Pearson VUE's exam performance reports cover only computer-based exams, so there is no comparable attempt count or pass rate for the paper plumbing exam.
FAQ
What is on the Florida plumbing exam?
110 multiple-choice questions across drainage, water distribution, natural gas, medical gas, industrial piping, pools/wells/irrigation, solar and fire protection, plus five isometric drawings in the morning session.
How many points do I need?
112 of 160. The isometrics are worth up to 50 points, and you need some of them to pass.
Where is the plumbing exam given?
In the Orlando area. DBPR's 2026 date list names Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee; the CIB says Orlando and PTI's application says Orlando/Kissimmee. Your admission slip names the site.
What should I bring for the isometric drawings?
A small 30/60-degree triangle, per the reference list, plus your approved references and a calculator that meets the CIB rules (handheld, cordless, silent, non-printing, with a numeric keyboard, plus extra batteries).
Do I take Business and Finance on paper too?
No. Business and Finance is a 120-question computer exam scheduled with Pearson VUE.
Related
See Florida plumbing license requirements. Plumbing exam prep is in development; join the waitlist on this page. Business and Finance prep is available now: Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep, 90 days of original practice for $99.