What Requirements Must be Met to Become a Licensed Plumber?
A licensed plumber is one who has acquired a greater degree of experience and expertise than a plumber, and can be considered a kind of master plumber. Also called journeymen plumbers, licensed plumbers must have both hands-on experience and a practical knowledge of plumbing skills. Licensed plumbers have to put in a minimum number of working hours and pass an examination. Not all plumbers are licensed plumbers, but licensed plumbers can make more money and be eligible for larger, more complex jobs.
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License Requirements
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You must have at least 3 years work experience as a plumber to qualify as a licensed plumber. Often, this work experience is obtained by working for a licensed journeyman plumber, but you can also obtain the work experience working independently as long as you log your hours carefully and can provide a record of your experience. You also have to take a state test and pass it. To sit for the exam, you must have completed at least a 3-year apprenticeship under a master plumber and must have over 300 hours of plumbing theory lessons. Although there are no uniform rules among the states as far as educational qualifications for this license are concerned, the examination is a standard requirement.
Education
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Plumbing is a profession that is taught in technical and vocational schools and in some cases, community colleges. Most skills are taught during your apprenticeship. The standard requirements to enroll in most such institutions are that you are at least at 18 years of age. You may also have to pass a drug test, either to obtain admission to a plumbing program, to attain an apprenticeship, or to become licensed.
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Essential Skills to Pass the Licensing Test
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In order to pass the licensing test, you must understand the theory behind plumbing and be able to put that theory into practice. You must be able to demonstrate your familiarity with safety requirements, blueprint reading, fittings, tool use, fabrication and basic mathematics. The exam is both practical and theoretical.
The exam tests your ability to understand the profession's codes, safety standards and other kinds of knowledge that help you work independently or lead teams of plumbers in carrying out major civic or public works. A licensed plumber can work independently and can attend to plumbing works on call.
Master Plumber Job Description
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A plumber repairs and maintains sanitation items such as pipes, drains and related systems for households, apartments, industrial and power plants, municipal drainage systems, water treatment plants and major pipe systems. Typically, a licensed plumber has a supervisory role. A licensed plumber may do hands-on work himself or may distribute, organize and coordinate work done by teams of plumbers.
Salary and Job Prospects
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the median hourly wage for plumbers and pipe fitters overall was $20.56, as of 2006, making it one of the most lucrative in the construction industry. The highest paying sector was the natural gas distribution industry, which paid a median hourly wage of $24.91. Licensed plumbers obviously earn more, depending on the level of experience and the location in which they work
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