Why Do Plumbers Need a License in Most States?
Plumbing is a crucial part of your day-to-day life. When you call a plumber to clean your drains, service your water heater or install a water softener, you’d like the assurance of a job well done. While reading reviews and learning more about the company’s reputation can help, the first thing to look for is a plumbing license.
Only a few states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t issue plumbing licenses through the state. Instead, they use city and county groups to provide oversight and licensing. While the specific requirements to secure a plumbing license vary by city, you can rest knowing that hiring a licensed specialist is the top way to decrease the possibility of poor workmanship, scams and health problems.
Educational Expectations for Plumbers
This is what it takes to become a licensed plumber:
- Education: Lots of vocational schools and community colleges provide plumbing certificates or degrees. This classroom training encompasses all the essential skills plumbers use on a regular basis.
- Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations have apprenticeship training that integrate classroom learning with practical experience. These programs usually take four to five years, and apprentices get paid wages throughout their training.
- Licensing exam: A participating state offers its own plumbing test, which candidates must pass to receive a license. The topics covered consist of plumbing fixtures, drainage systems, vents and venting, fabrication, pipe maintenance, administrative procedures and more. Requirements to take the exam vary based on where you are and licensing level.
Types of Plumbing Licenses and Certifications
Plumbers can earn multiple licenses and certifications based on their knowledge and experience. These vary by location, and not all are necessary in every state, but the most familiar plumbing licenses and certifications include:
- Plumbing certificate: Certain states only mandate plumbers to have a certificate to complete residential jobs with a minimal scope of work. This is generally an apprentice-level plumber working with an experienced supervisor.
- Journeyman plumber: In many states, plumbers can take the journeyman’s licensing exam after finishing an apprenticeship and having four years of on-site experience.
- Master plumber: The prerequisites to be considered for the master plumber’s licensing exam vary greatly by location. Some assessments only expect 12 to 24 months working as a journeyman plumber, whereas others call for four or five years of journeyman experience.
- ACE certification: Training to be an Advanced Certified Expert demonstrates the highest level of professionalism and working experience. Earning ACE certification is more rigorous than typical plumber licensing and demands annual recertification to guarantee that techs are up-to-date with the most recent industry standards.
Perks of Hiring a Licensed Plumber
Choosing an unlicensed plumber for the job may save you a few dollars up front, but that’s where the benefits stop. Why chance it? — only choose a licensed pro, no matter how simple or complex the job is, to ensure all the perks of professional experience:
- Awesome workmanship: Plumbing is not as simple as you might think. Completing even the most direct jobs, like snaking a drain, needs specialized equipment and years of expertise. Given the amount of training needed to achieve their certifications, you can be assured knowing that a licensed plumber will solve the problem.
- Liability insurance: A large number of states require plumbers to display proof of liability insurance as a condition of the licensing process. This protects you, the homeowner, from being left responsible for property damage or medical bills if a plumber has an mishap while performing services in your home.
- Authorized and code-compliant: Large plumbing jobs often have to have permits to ensure safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are regularly denied the needed permits. If they continue with the job, you could encounter code violations and fines later on. Similarly, you could face legal issues if an unlicensed plumber harms the local waterways. Prevent these risks by only contracting a licensed professional.
- Preserved health and safety: A qualified plumber understands the proper techniques for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and natural gas lines. Years of hands-on experience are necessary to minimize the risk of water pollution, sewer backups and gas leaks.
- Trustworthy services: Not all plumbers have your best interest at heart. However, a fully licensed team is far less likely to try to mislead you than an unlicensed company. In the end, homeowners can make an official complaint with the state licensing board if they suspect deception, leaving the plumber with a steep fine or even causing them to lose their license. Knowing this provides extra peace of mind when hiring a plumber for the first time.
Schedule Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we go above and beyond to provide the best plumbing services to our communities across North America. First, we are licensed, insured and ACE-certified. What’s more, everything we do is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. To schedule reliable plumbing services in your area, please contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office near you today!