Plumbing is an important part of your everyday life. When you trust a plumber to clear your drains, fix your water heater or install a water softener, you'd expect the assurance of a job well done. While reading reviews and evaluating the company's reputation can help, the # 1 thing to look for is a plumbing license.
Only a handful of states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t assign plumbing licenses at the state level. Instead, they depend on city and county groups to supply oversight and licensing. While the specific requirements to secure a plumbing license vary by region, you can be certain that hiring a licensed Expert is the top way to reduce the possibility of poor workmanship, rip-offs and health problems.
Educational Criteria for Plumbers
Here’s what it takes to obtain a plumber's license:
- Education: Many vocational schools and community colleges provide plumbing certificates or degrees. In most scenarios, the training includes all the vital skills plumbers use on a regular basis.
- Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations offer apprenticeship training that combine classroom learning with on-site experience. These programs usually take four to five years, and apprentices receive wages during their training.
- Licensing exam: A participating state offers its own plumbing assessment, which candidates must pass to acquire a license. The materials covered deal with 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 available in every state, but the most typical plumbing licenses and certifications include:
- Plumbing certificate: Many states only mandate plumbers to have a certificate to work on residential jobs with a moderate scope of work. This is effectively an apprentice-level plumber working with master plumber oversight.
- Journeyman plumber: In most states, plumbers can take the journeyman’s licensing exam after completing an apprenticeship and having the necessary years of practical experience.
- Master plumber: The prerequisites to qualify for the master plumber’s licensing exam vary widely by location. Some states only demand one or two years 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 maximum level of professionalism and practical experience. Earning ACE certification is more rigorous than most plumber licensing and involves annual recertification to keep technicians up-to-date with the latest industry standards.
Perks of Hiring a Licensed Plumber
Choosing an unlicensed plumber for the job may be less expensive at first, but that’s where the benefits end. Don't gamble on your plumbing — only choose a licensed expert, no matter the job, to ensure all the perks of professional experience:
- Awesome craftsmanship: Plumbing is not an easy field. Conducting even the most straightforward jobs, like snaking a drain, needs 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 has what it takes for a job well done.
- Liability insurance: Most states require plumbers to display proof of liability insurance as one component 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 completing work in your home.
- Authorized and code-compliant: Big plumbing jobs frequently have to have permits to ensure safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are typically denied the required permits. If they go ahead with the job, you could face code violations and accompanying fees later on. Additionally, you may face legal problems if an unlicensed plumber harms the local waterways. Prevent these risks by only hiring a licensed professional.
- Preserved health and safety: A competent plumber adheres to the proper techniques for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and natural gas lines. Years of hands-on experience are essential to decrease the risk of water contamination, sewer backups and gas leaks.
- Trustworthy services: Unfortunately, there are plumbers out there that don't have your best interest at heart. But a fully licensed team is much less likely to try to mislead you than an unlicensed company. Besides, homeowners can make an official 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.
Schedule Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional
At Midway Services, we go above and beyond to deliver the best plumbing services to our customers throughout 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 Midway Services office near you today!