How to Get a Plumbing Business License
When the now-famous "Joe the Plumber" surfaced during the 2008 presidential election, many people were surprised to learn that he didn't have a plumbing license at the time and wasn't recognized by the local plumber's union. Well, don't be like Joe the Plumber. Make sure you get officially licensed before you start practicing in the field of plumbing. A license is important because of safety and customer relations issues, and it is required to keep you up to date with state requirements. The process of getting a plumbing license varies depending on the state in which you live.
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Instructions
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Go to your state's commerce website and click on the link for "Business Licenses," "Professional Licenses," "Business Filings," or similar (check in the Resources section). You can also go to the Contractor's Licensing site (see Resources) for specific information about plumbing licenses in your state.
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Go to "Forms," "Filing Information," or similar on your state website. Find the link for filing for a plumbing license. Do a search on the site for the phrase "plumbing business license" if you find your state's website difficult to navigate. You can also select your state on the Contractor's Licensing site, then "Plumbing License" information.
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Download the form to apply for your plumbing business license and take note of the fees. Fill out the form completely. You will be asked for information about your experience and training in the plumbing field. Applicants are usually required to spend a certain number of years working and learning in the field. You will probably need to provide recommendations from the people you trained under in order to be approved for a license. Many plumbers go through a local trade union for training in the field. You will most likely have to take and pass a state exam in order to become certified and be granted a plumbing business license with your state.
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Send in your plumbing license application and fee through the postal service or submit it online for faster processing if your state's website has that capability. You will usually have to wait anywhere between a week to a month to receive your business license in the mail if your application is accepted.
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Tips & Warnings
In addition to the plumbing license, you will need to register with your state as a business if you want to open your own company, which is usually a separate process. Click "Business Registration" or the similar link on your state's website for more information. The path to becoming a plumber while training is apprentice first, then journeyman, and finally master plumber. In most states, you will have to renew your plumbing license every year or every two years.
