Why Do Plumbers Need a License in Most States?

Plumbing is a crucial part of your daily life. When you trust a plumber to clean your drains, fix your water heater or install a water softener, you want the assurance of getting the job done right. While reading reviews and learning more about the company’s history can help, the number one thing to look for is a plumbing license.

Only a handful of states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t issue plumbing licenses through the state. Instead, they count on city and county groups to supply oversight and licensing. While the actual requirements to earn a plumbing license vary by region, you can rest knowing that hiring a licensed Expert is the best way to reduce the chance of poor workmanship, rip-offs and health concerns.

Educational Criteria for Plumbers

Here’s a summary of what it takes to become a licensed plumber:

• • Education: Many vocational schools and community colleges provide plumbing certificates or degrees. Usually this training includes all the vital skills plumbers use on a regular basis.

• • Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations provide apprenticeship programs that combine classroom learning with on-site experience. These programs typically take four to five years, and apprentices earn wages during the course of their training.

• • Licensing exam: Each state offers its own plumbing assessment, 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 education and experience. These vary by location, and not all are necessary in every state, but the most typical plumbing licenses and certifications include:

• • Plumbing certificate: Some states only require plumbers to have a certificate to work on residential jobs with a limited scope of work. This is ultimately an apprentice-level plumber working with master plumber oversight.

• • Journeyman plumber: Usually, plumbers will take the journeyman’s licensing exam after finishing an apprenticeship and having the necessary years of hands-on experience.

• • Master plumber: The requirements to qualify for the master plumber’s licensing exam vary widely by location. Some places only require one or two years working as a journeyman plumber, but others require four or five years of journeyman experience.

• • ACE certification: Becoming an Advanced Certified Expert demonstrates the maximum level of professionalism and experience. Receiving ACE certification is more exhaustive than typical plumber licensing and demands annual recertification to keep technicians up-to-date with the most recent industry standards.

Rewards of Hiring a Licensed Plumber

Selecting an unlicensed plumber for the job may be less expensive at first, but that’s where the benefits stop. But when it comes to your home’s plumbing — only hire a licensed expert, regardless of the job size, to ensure all the perks of professional experience:

• • Exceptional workmanship: Plumbing is not as simple as you might think. Conducting even the most direct tasks, like snaking a drain, requires specialized equipment and years of experience. As a result of the intensive training needed for certification, you can rest easy knowing that a licensed plumber will solve the problem.

• • Liability insurance: Most states require plumbers to display proof of liability insurance as part of the licensing process. This protects you, the homeowner, from being left responsible for property damage or an injury on-site if a plumber has an accident while working in your home.

• • Legal and code-compliant: Major plumbing jobs commonly require permits to guarantee safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are regularly refused the necessary permits. If they proceed with the job, you could confront code violations and fines later on. Similarly, you may face legal repercussions if an unlicensed plumber harms the local waterways. Eliminate these risks by only choosing a licensed professional.

• • Preserved health and safety: A competent plumber understands the proper methods for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and fuel lines. Years of hands-on experience are vital to decrease the risk of water pollution, sewer backups and gas leaks.

• • Reliable services: Not all plumbers have your best interest at heart. However, a fully licensed team is far less likely to attempt to mislead you than an unlicensed company. Besides, homeowners can file a formal complaint with the state licensing board if they suspect fraud, which might cost the plumber a severe fine or even causing them to forfeit their license. Knowing this provides extra peace of mind when hiring a plumber for the first time.

Arrange Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we go above and beyond to offer 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office near you today!