How to Become a Licensed Plumbing Professional; Journeyman Plumber Requirements

Becoming a licensed plumbing professional can be the start of something big. Once an apprentice plumber program has been completed and journeyman plumber requirements met, an exciting and rewarding career as a highly skilled professional is about to begin.

Plumbing career outlook is good. Primarily because the plumbing industry is an important, integrated part of the United
States, and will remain so. Daily requirements for consumption, clean water use, as well as proper collection and transport of wastes ensure that. Guaranteeing that the services of a licensed plumbing professional will always be in demand. 

Apprentice plumber program graduates who meet journeyman plumber requirements can expect a beginning plumber salary median of roughly $20 an hour. As well as financial boons from bonuses, commissions, profits/profit sharing and respectable benefit packages. Plumber salary usually increases routinely, to match experience. Licensed master plumber salary, boons, and benefits are even better.

What does it take to become a licensed plumbing professional; what are apprentice plumber requirements? Although each state has particular plumber contractor license requirements, the following can be used as a general guideline.

Apprentice Plumber Requirements

Persons working towards becoming a licensed plumbing professional are known as apprentices. Apprentice journeyman plumbers must receive plumbing industry recognized plumbing skills training. This is acquired through a combination of plumbing training courses and hands on experience. As well as participation in an apprentice plumber program; meeting all journeyman plumber requirements to become licensed plumbing professionals.

Plumbing training courses and programs for apprentice journeyman plumbers may differ state to state. An apprentice plumber program may be sponsored by individual employers and/or employer associates. Or jointly, by employer and labor groups. But an apprentice plumber program must be plumbing industry endorsed, and registered with federal and state governments.

Before entering an apprentice plumber program to become a licensed plumbing professional, the applicant must first meet apprentice plumber requirements. While each state may have unique criteria, the following offers general guidance:

• Apprentice plumber requirements for minimum age are 17 to 18 years old.
• Apprentice journeyman plumber requirements for education are a HS diploma or equivalent.
• An apprentice plumber applicant must have a general aptitude for math and mechanics.
• An apprentice plumbing applicant should possess manual dexterity and a tolerance for working in cramped spaces.
• Apprentice journeyman plumbers must be adept at problem solving and work well with others.
• Aspiring apprentice journeyman plumbers should be physically fit; willing to work in sometimes less than desirable locations, in all types of weather.
• Apprentice journeymen plumbers must be registered with the State Board of Plumbing, State Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, or state equivalent.
• Trainees must acquire an apprentice plumber license, usually obtained at the time of registration. The apprentice plumber license must be on-person while participating in the apprentice plumber program.
• Trainees must participate in a plumbing industry recognized apprentice plumber program, registered with federal and state government agencies.
• Apprentice journeyman plumbers must acquire hands-on plumbing skills training under the watchful eye of a licensed plumbing professional. For instance, a licensed master plumber.
• Each trainee must meet all apprentice license requirements and/or journeyman plumber requirements for the state in which services will be rendered. (This may include plumbing training courses at a trade or vocational school.)

Apprentice Plumber License Specifics

To acquire an apprentice plumbing license (or work card), apprentice wannabes usually submit a completed registration application form; submitted to the State Board of Plumbing, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, or equivalent for that state. Note: the apprentice plumber program sponsor or supervising licensed master plumber should complete the accompanying “Supervision of Apprentice Plumber” form.

The apprentice plumber license must remain on-person during training. State plumbing board registration and an acquired apprentice plumbing license do not qualify the holder to perform plumbing services outside of an apprentice plumber program. Like that of any licensed plumbing professional, an apprentice plumber license must be renewed annually. 

Specified increments of plumbing skills training hours within the program must be met each year to fulfill annual apprentice journeyman plumber requirements for licensing. Persons who meet annual hour requirements ahead of time can obtain early re-licensing. And begin working toward the following year’s apprentice license requirements ahead of time. 

For state-specific information on certified plumber schooling, required plumbing training courses, apprentice plumber program prospects, apprentice license requirements, plumber salary potential, and plumbing skills training locations, conduct an online search. Simply type phrases like “licensed plumbing professional requirements” or “journeyman plumber requirements”, along with the name of your state. Or connect with your local plumber union.

Apprentice Plumber Program Participation

Participation in some type apprentice plumber program recognized by the plumbing industry is standard for persons desiring to become a certified professional. Some states may have additional journeyman plumber requirements over and above acquiring the apprentice plumber license and apprentice plumber program participation to become certified. For instance, additional plumbing skills training or plumbing training courses may be required.  

Note: in some states, 2 years trade or vocational schooling or at least 144 hours of plumbing training courses is required. Plumbing training courses include drafting, physics, mathematics, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety, state plumbing codes, and plumbing system education.

Extent of the apprentice plumber program is state mandated. Apprentices are usually required to invest 8,000 plumbing skills training hours, while under the direction of a licensed master plumber or other licensed plumbing professional.  Apprentice plumber program duration is dependant on trainee participation. For instance, apprentice journeyman plumbers who participate in excess of 40 hours weekly will meet program requirements faster than participants putting in less time.

Apprentice journeyman plumbers usually earn a plumber salary during apprentice plumber program participation. Trainees can expect a plumber salary increase upon completion of the program; after successfully passing the journeyman plumber exam, fulfilling all journeyman plumber requirements, and acquiring a license.

Apprentice Journeyman Plumbers – Additional Information

Each state mandates specific apprentice plumber requirements that must be met before becoming a licensed plumbing professional. However, there are basic plumbing training standards that, for the most part, make the following nationally viable:

• If a union-sponsored apprentice plumber program is not readily available, consider taking plumbing training courses at a trade or vocational school. Select a school that offers a comprehensive accredited program that includes both classroom and hands-on plumbing skills training. Familiarity with drafting, mathematics, blueprint reading, plumbing system design, and local plumbing codes is essential for any licensed plumbing professional.
• If a union-sponsored apprentice plumber program is not available, another option is to seek plumbing skills training through smaller plumbing companies. Or from a licensed master plumber with a plumber contractor license. A less than desirable apprentice plumber salary will be counterbalanced by lots of experience and hands-on training. Plumbing skills training gaps can be filled-in with classroom instruction before taking the journeyman plumber exam; ensuring all journeyman plumber requirements has been met.
• Apprentice plumber program duration on average is 4 to 5 years. Once program requirements have been met a state regulated journeyman plumber exam must be taken, in the state in which licensing is desired.
• Apprentice plumber program trainees are under the direct supervision of a full-fledge licensed plumbing professional; usually, a licensed master plumber. Training begins with low-level duties such as cleaning equipment, running errands, stocking supply caddies, and moving pipe. Progressing to include hands-on basic plumbing skills training, and then more advanced duties. Including water and sewer system repair, plumbing fixture installation, natural gas piping, water treatment equipment, emergency services, etc.
• Trainees serious about becoming apprentice journeyman plumbers must keep accurate documentation reflecting accumulated plumbing training hours, and plumbing skills training experience. Such documentation is necessary to meet journeyman plumber requirements before taking the licensed plumbing professional exam. 
• Upon apprentice plumber program completion, the supervising licensed master plumber (or other certified professional) must provide an affidavit that outlines the number of trainee work hours completed. The affidavit must be signed, and include the licensed master plumber certification number. Documentation of apprentice journeyman plumber work experience and the signed affidavit outlining apprentice plumber program hours are required before registering for the journeyman plumber exam.  
• Before taking the journeyman plumber exam, trainees may want to ensure journeyman plumber requirements are fully met before testing. Consider reading licensed plumber professional materials such as a journeyman plumber exam guide or plumbing code manual. Or other plumber industry literature recommended by testing officials or the local plumbers union.

A journeyman plumber exam may be closed or open book. It will consist of questions that include multiple-choice, relevant to plumbing systems and local and state plumbing codes.  Ask a local plumber union official for licensed plumbing professional exam specifics before testing. And to avoid disappointment, make sure you have met all journeyman plumber requirements before registering for the journeyman plumber exam. 

Good luck!

<<--Back to Home Improvement Tips and Articles Main Index

Get Free Home Improvement Quotes!
Tell us about your home improvement project and receive free estimates from local qualified contractors. Fast & Easy. No Obligation. Click Here To Begin