Who requires it
County judge of probate (principal place of business) / Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board
License & permit · Alabama
Alabama Master Plumber / Gas Fitter Bond
Before working as a master plumber or master gas fitter in Alabama, you must post a $2,000 bond—cash or surety—with the judge of probate in the county where your principal place of business sits. The statute conditions the bond on plumbing and gas fitting work complying with applicable state and municipal requirements.
Common bond amount
$2,000
Fixed $2,000; deposit with the probate judge—not a municipal permit bond.
How you file
Surety bond or cash deposit with the county probate judge
Renewal
Keep on deposit while engaged in the master plumber / gas fitter business
Who requires it
Persons engaging in the business of master plumber or master gas fitter under Code of Alabama Chapter 37 of Title 34. Confirm any separate Board certification steps with the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; the bond itself is a county probate deposit.
How much is required
Code of Alabama § 34-37-13 establishes a fixed $2,000 bond. You may post cash or a surety from a company authorized to write surety in Alabama, subject to probate-judge approval.
How to get and file it
Arrange a $2,000 surety bond (or prepare the cash alternative) and deposit it with the probate judge in the county of your principal place of business for approval and filing. Keep the name on the bond consistent with how you operate under the master credential. Maintain the statutory bond while engaged in the master plumber or master gas fitter business. Local municipalities may impose additional permit bonds for work inside their limits; those are separate from this statewide statutory filing.
Cost note
Two thousand dollars is the required bond amount (or cash deposit), not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- $2,000 cash or surety bond
- Filing office
- Judge of probate in the county of the principal place of business
- Condition
- Plumbing and gas fitting work must comply with applicable laws and ordinances
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Is the Birmingham city plumbing bond the same as this statewide bond?
No. Section 34-37-13 is the statewide master plumber / gas fitter filing with the county probate judge. Cities may require separate local permit bonds with different amounts.
Related Alabama bond guides
HVAC / Refrigeration Contractor Bond
$20,000
Active Alabama heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors file a $20,000 bond with the Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. Board Form BF-1 names the Board and lets you check heating/air conditioning, refrigeration, or both on one bond.
Residential Roofer Bond
$10,000
Alabama’s residential roofers license—the Home Builders Licensure Board tier limited to roofing—requires a ten-thousand-dollar License/Permit Bond naming the Board. Unlimited and limited home builder licenses do not use this bond; they show financial responsibility with a credit report instead.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Apply for the Master Plumber / Gas Fitter Bond
The application can open with this bond already selected. You can still go back and change selections.
Last verified 2026-08-11. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
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