If you are interested in the field of plumbing, now is a great time to get involved in the amazing $105 billion plumbing industry, being that the job growth and exciting opportunities are expecting aspiring plumbers.
Starting the career of plumber requires some time and effort, and many people would like to know how long it takes to become a plumber.
Well, it cannot be exactly stated, as it highly depends on what kind of career you look for, as there are a few options available for starting a plumbing career.
It is up to you to choose the one that suits you best, depending on your individual goals and interests.
In this article, we will explore the details of how to become a plumber for you.
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Trade Schools and Apprenticeships for a Plumbing Career
Having completed your high school or earned a GED, you have a possibility of two primary plumbing certification options, either attending a plumbing trade school or completing a plumbing apprenticeship.
When the time necessary for finishing education in a trade school is in question, it takes about two years.
On the other hand, apprenticeships can take two to five years, depending on the chosen program.
The difference between these two kinds of education is that programs in a trade school are designed to enable students to work where they want after training, as well as to be of higher control when their education is in question.
An apprenticeship, however, is typically sponsored by a union or a business, meaning that you will have less flexibility, but paid training opportunities.
Whichever you choose, you will not make a mistake as both are effective ways of learning how to become a plumber.
Journeyman Plumber Status
So as to become a journeyman plumber, training and education will not be enough as you will need industry experience as well.
What type of requirements for the experience you will have to meet vary by state, but the majority of states require five years of experience.
Upon acquiring this experience and meeting the requirements, you will be allowed to sit for the plumbing certification test.
Apprenticeships adequately prepare students for the journeyman licensing exam, so you do not have to worry about it.
Once you have successfully passed the exam, you can choose to continue to work at this level.
Another option is to advance your education to a master plumber.
Now, if you are wondering how long it takes to become a plumber, you can see that it depends on how advanced you want to be.
Those who choose to stay at the journeyman level may need to complete continuing education, depending on their state.
Master Plumber Status
The process to become a master plumber is different in every state and the majority of states have the requirement of at least two years of work experience as a journeyman.
However, there are some that require up to ten years.
Once you get a master plumber’s status, you will have more opportunities and a lucrative plumbing career.
Nevertheless, you can expect to have increased responsibilities, as well, and one of them can be maintaining your own liability insurance.
As you have noticed, every state has its own regulations, so it is very important that you become familiar with the licensing requirements to perform plumbing work in your locality and know exactly how to perform your job legally working at the master plumber level in your state.
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