To become a licensed plumber, one must complete formal classroom training, an apprenticeship program, and pass proficiency tests. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, and apprenticeships typically last four to five years. In the UK, there are two routes to becoming a licensed plumber: through a trade program or through university programs. After completing the apprenticeship, a person must pass a proficiency exam to become licensed. In the US, a journeyman with experience can apply for a master license, which requires additional testing.
A person interested in becoming a plumber must be good at math and basic measurements, love working with their hands, and must be in good shape. Requirements to become a licensed plumber vary between jurisdictions, but most include formal classroom training, on-the-job training through an apprenticeship program, and passing certain proficiency tests. Anyone wishing to ply the trade must first determine local and national licensing requirements, find an apprenticeship program, and investigate available trade school options.
Canada and the US have harmonized national plumbing standards, but the actual licensing requirements are governed by local states or provinces. This is also true in the UK and Australia. Due to the shortage of licensed plumbers, New Zealand and Australia have a joint recognition agreement regarding licenses granted in either country. Specific requirements for becoming a licensed plumber in any jurisdiction can be purchased from the agency that governs business licenses and are usually posted on the Internet.
In most jurisdictions, a person who wants to become a licensed plumber must first acquire an apprentice or provisional license. In the UK, an applicant must pass a very basic skills test before a provisional license is issued. A universal requirement at this level is that the apprentice works for a period of time, usually up to four or five years, under the direction of a fully licensed plumber. In some areas, formal certification training can reduce the number of actual work hours required by an apprentice.
In most US states, the plumber license covers both gas and water applications. In the UK, Australia and Canada, gas and water require separate permits. In the past, the only people who could become a licensed plumber in the UK were young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who left school to pursue a trade, an approach that made it almost impossible for anyone over the age of 24 to break into this field. That route is still open and a person can acquire the National Vocation Qualification (NVQ), or SNVQ in Scotland, through a combination of formal classroom training and work experience under a licensed plumber.
A second training route has been opened to anyone in the UK wishing to become a licensed plumber, regardless of their age, through various university programmes. Candidates must first take the British Plumbers Employees Council (BPEC) training test, which verifies their aptitude to successfully complete the programme. After passing the test, he can enroll in classes at a college that provides the classroom training and hands-on experience needed to become licensed. Training for an apprentice is similar in all jurisdictions and includes learning methods for joining and assembling pipe, methods for testing pipe systems, and basic code and safety requirements. An apprentice is also trained in the maintenance of tanks, pumps and hydraulic installations.
After completing the internship, a person must provide evidence that the job and course requirements have been met by the appropriate regulatory agency and pass the proficiency exam to become a licensed plumber. These exams require knowledge of applicable codes and the operation of various plumbing systems. Once a person is licensed as a contractor or plumber, he or she will be able to work unsupervised, putting together plumbing systems, installing and connecting pipes, installing equipment and fixtures, and performing pressure tests on completed systems. He must also be able to locate potential electrical obstructions and check systems for compliance with safety standards.
In the US, a journeyman with several years of experience can apply for a master license. This level requires additional testing but offers greater career choice. A master plumber is usually involved in the design of new layouts and floor plans and may work in both commercial and industrial applications. In other countries, a plumbing contractor may want to purchase additional licenses in gas, roof plumbing, backflow prevention testing, or another designated specialty.
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