Plumbing is an important part of your everyday life. When you hire a plumber to clean your drains, repair your water heater or install a water softener, you want the assurance of a job well done. While reading reviews and considering the company's reputation can help, the # 1 thing to look for is a plumbing license.
Only six states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t assign plumbing licenses at the state level. Instead, they count on city and county agencies to supply oversight and licensing. While the specific requirements to secure a plumbing license vary by region, you can rest knowing that hiring a licensed professional is the ideal way to minimize the chance of inferior workmanship, scams and health issues.
Educational Requirements for Plumbers
Here’s what it takes to get a plumber's license:
- Education: Lots of vocational schools and community colleges offer plumbing certificates or degrees. In most scenarios, the training encompasses all the necessary skills plumbers use every day.
- Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations offer apprenticeship training that bundle classroom learning with hands-on experience. These programs typically take four to five years, and apprentices earn wages during the course of their training.
- Licensing exam: A participating state offers its own plumbing exam, which candidates must pass to earn a license. The topics covered include plumbing fixtures, drainage systems, vents and venting, fabrication, pipe maintenance, administrative procedures and more. Requirements to take the exam vary state-to-state and licensing level.
Types of Plumbing Licenses and Certifications
Plumbers can attain various licenses and certifications based on their training and experience. These vary by location, and not all are offered in every state, but the most typical plumbing licenses and certifications include:
- Plumbing certificate: Certain states only mandate plumbers to have a certificate to work on residential jobs with a minimal scope of work. This is more or less an apprentice-level plumber working with an experienced supervisor.
- Journeyman plumber: In many states, plumbers may take the journeyman’s licensing exam after completing an apprenticeship and having four years of hands-on experience.
- Master plumber: The prerequisites to be considered for the master plumber’s licensing exam vary widely by location. Some places only demand 12 to 24 months working as a journeyman plumber, while others require four or five years of journeyman experience.
- ACE certification: Training to be an Advanced Certified Expert demonstrates the highest level of professionalism and experience. Attaining ACE certification is more rigorous than most plumber licensing and requires yearly recertification to ensure techs stay up-to-date with the most current industry standards.
Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Plumber
Using an unlicensed plumber for the job could save you a few dollars up front, but that’s where the benefits stop. Don’t risk it — only hire a licensed pro, no matter how simple or complex the job is, to ensure all the perks of professional experience:
- Awesome craftsmanship: Plumbing is not as simple as you might think. Performing even the most direct tasks, like snaking a drain, requires specialized equipment and years of expertise. As a result of the intensive training needed for certification, you can be assured knowing that a licensed plumber will properly diagnose and resolve your plumbing problem.
- Liability insurance: Nearly all states require plumbers to show proof of liability insurance as a condition of the licensing process. This protects you, the homeowner, from being held liable for property damage or medical bills if a plumber has an mishap while working in your home.
- Legal and code-compliant: Big plumbing jobs usually have to have permits to ensure safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are typically denied the necessary permits. If they move ahead with the job, you could receive code violations and fines later on. Furthermore, you might face legal issues if an unlicensed plumber impairs the local waterways. Prevent these risks by only contracting a licensed professional.
- Preserved health and safety: A qualified plumber knows the proper techniques for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and natural gas lines. Years of hands-on experience are essential to minimize the risk of water pollution, sewer backups and gas leaks.
- Reliable services: Not all plumbers have your best interest at heart. But a fully licensed team is much less likely to attempt to swindle you than an unlicensed company. After all, homeowners can make a formal complaint with the state licensing board if they suspect being cheated, resulting in a hefty fine or even causing them to forfeit 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 Donelson Air Service Experts, we go above and beyond to deliver the best plumbing services to our clients in North America. First, we are licensed, insured and ACE-certified. What’s more, everything we do is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. To receive reliable plumbing services in your area, please contact a Donelson Air Service Experts office near you today!