Actually, repairs can be done without a license, while only a master plumber is required to do plumbing installation.
It is not at all complicated to become a certified plumber in the state of Maine as this is a relatively straightforward process.
First, aspiring plumbers begin as journeymen-in-training.
In the majority of cases, they are enrolled in a technical program.
When they finish this, then they move up to the journeyman level and finally to master.
Page Navigation
- Maine Plumbing License Reciprocity
- Maine Master Plumbing License Requirements
- Maine Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
- Plumbing Journeyman Exam
- Maine Plumbing Trainee Requirements
- Plumber Journeyman-in-Training Requirements
- Plumbing Trade Schools in Maine
- Maine Professional License and Job Search
- Should I Join a Union?
- Insurance for Plumbers in Maine
- Salary
Maine Plumbing License Reciprocity
Unfortunately, Maine does not have reciprocity agreements with specific states, but the state will consider license reciprocity in accordance with the licensing standards and experiential requirements unique to the applicant’s state of origin.
This means that under the laws and rules of the Plumbers’ Examining Board if the state in which an applicant received the license holds at least equal standards and requirements as Maine, he/she will be granted reciprocity.
Maine Master Plumbing License Requirements
Master plumbers in Maine are licensed to perform all plumbing needs on their own accord and the only way of obtaining a master plumber license in the state of Maine is by paying the following fees:
- Application fee – $25
- License fee – $200
- Criminal background check fee – $21
Furthermore, you will need to meet the educational and experience requirements including:
- Having performed 2,000 hours of work as a licensed journeyman plumber in at least one year
- OR having performed at least 8,000 hours of work as a licensed trainee plumber in at least four years
You must renew your Maine plumbing license every two years.
The renewal requires the payment of the fees that are $100 for a trainee and $200 for a journeyman or master plumber.
The journeyman-in-training is a four-year, nonrenewable license.
Maine Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
Journeymen are people who are licensed to perform all duties required of a plumber but they need to work under the direct supervision of a master plumber.
The following fees are required to receive a journeyman plumber license in the state of Maine:
- Application fee – $25
- License fee – $200
- Criminal background check fee – $21
Also, journeyman plumber can become a person who meets the requirements:
- 4,000 hours of work as a licensed trainee plumber in at least two years
- OR at least 2,000 hours of work as a licensed journeyman-in-training within four years of obtaining that license
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
The Candidate Information Bulletin offers all the necessary information for aspiring plumbers, including the rules and procedures surrounding the journeyman plumber exam.
You can find out how to register for the test, testing facilities, and costs.
The exams for both journeyman and master plumber cover basic plumbing skills, federal regulations, and the Maine plumbing codes.
The master plumber exam also focuses on plumbing installation and you will need to pay a $75 fee to take the plumbing exam at either level.
Maine Plumbing Trainee Requirements
In the state of Maine “plumber trainee” is used to name “plumbing apprentice”.
This is actually a professional who is pursuing full licensure.
A plumber trainee is learning the trade while under the direct supervision of a journeyman or master plumber.
Requirements for aspiring plumbers include a completed trainee application, and the following fees:
- Application fee – $25
- License fee – $200
- Criminal background check fee – $21
Plumber Journeyman-in-Training Requirements
This is not the same level as trainees, being that journeymen-in-training may only assist in plumbing installations.
Journeymen-in-training must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman or master plumber.
So as to become a journeyman-in-training, you must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of a 1-year (2-semester) plumbing program at a board-approved community college
- A passing grade of 70% on the required exam
Plumbing Trade Schools in Maine
Plumbing trade schools can be attended for a fairly low price if you are a Maine resident.
Programs can be often found under $4,000.
Below, we offer you a few college and high school programs that we believe are worth your consideration:
Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, and Brunswick
- Program: Certification program;
- Tuition(in-state): $2,820;
- For more information, visit the Southern Maine Community College contact page.
Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor
- Program: Certification program;
- Tuition(in-state): $94 per credit hour;
- For more information, visit the Eastern Maine Community College contact page.
Lewiston Regional Technical Center, Lewiston
- Program: Technical high school;
- Tuition(in-state): N/A;
- For more information, visit their page on plumbing training.
Maine Professional License and Job Search
So as to find a licensed professional in Maine, we advise you to utilize Maine’s professional license search.
For individuals who are looking for plumbing jobs, our suggestion is to use Indeed’s job finder.
It offers positions as a master, journeyman, trainee, and journeyman-in-training plumber.
Should I Join a Union?
This is a very frequent question, being that some people find it beneficial to join the union while others consider it useless.
Joining a union can be helpful if you plan to work for a company.
The Maine Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 716 negotiates contracts on behalf of its members, while at the same time a union can assist in job placement.
Many plumbers also depend on a local union to help them with health insurance and other benefits.
All in all, it is not obligatory to join a union if you decide to work as an independent plumber.
Insurance for Plumbers in Maine
You will need to possess health and disability insurance as a plumber in Maine.
If you work for a major company, your employer will need to have it, while as an independent plumber, you will apply for your own coverage or get insurance through a union.
The reason why plumbers need liability insurance is that they can experience accidents on a client’s property.
They should have property insurance for their own equipment.
Salary
It is a fact that licensed plumbers in Maine are in high demand and that is why you should consider starting your education and training towards becoming one.
A plumber’s pay rate highly depends on the license level, so if you are an entry-level, trainee, and journeyman-in-training level plumber, you can expect to make about $15 per hour.
Those more experienced and having higher level licenses would have an average pay of $28.62 per hour.
Master plumbers can make upwards of $50 per hour.
The average Plumber salary in Maine is $55,316.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Maine
City Name Salary Portland $57,420 Lewiston $56,846 Bangor $52,439 South Portland $57,420 Auburn $56,846 Brunswick $56,923 Biddeford $57,152 Sanford $58,055 Augusta $54,356 Scarborough $57,420 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Bangor, ME 180 $56,500 $27.17 $72,510 $39,450 Lewiston-Auburn, ME 170 $60,380 $29.03 $74,260 $42,260 Portland-South Portland, ME 620 $62,460 $30.03 $76,440 $46,080
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
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