Whichever you want to get, a prospective plumber must make an application to the state, and provide a proof of sufficient experience per state guidelines.
They must then pass an exam and renew their license every two years.
Journeyman and Master Plumber is the two plumbing licenses available through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Page Navigation
- Minnesota Plumbing License Reciprocity
- Minnesota Master Plumbing License Requirements
- Minnesota Plumbing Journeyworker License Requirements
- Plumbing Master and Journeyworker Exam
- Minnesota Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
- Plumbing Trade Schools in Minnesota
- Insurance for Plumbers in Minnesota
- Minnesota Professional License Search
- Should I Join a Union?
- Salary
- Plumber Schools by City
Minnesota Plumbing License Reciprocity
It is good to hear that Minnesota has plumbing reciprocity agreements with North Dakota and South Dakota.
This means that licensed plumbers can apply for reciprocity without an exam if they hold a license of the same level or higher.
Their existing license must be current and must have been held for at least a year to be accepted.
Furthermore, it is necessary that they pay a $50 fee.
We consider it worth mentioning that there is a requirement that they must not previously fail a plumbing licensing examination in the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota Master Plumbing License Requirements
To become a master plumber in Minnesota, you need to be lawfully qualified to contract for plumbing and installations and to conduct the business of plumbing and be familiar with the laws and rules.
A master plumbing license is possible to achieve only if a person completes the set requirements.
He/she has to have five years of in-field experience which is added to at least one of the following:
- A journey worker plumbing license with the state
- A restricted master plumbing license along with a plumbing code compliance bond, which has been on file with the state for at least 5 years
- A license from another state which falls under Minnesotan plumbing reciprocity guidelines
They must submit an application to the state and a $50 application fee, and pass the appropriate exam.
Minnesota Plumbing Journeyworker License Requirements
In Minnesota, the term “journeyworker” is used in place of “journeyman.” But the definition is the same.
This is an individual who is engaged as an employee or is working under the direction of, a master plumber in the practical installation of plumbing.
If you want to get a journey worker plumbing license, you must complete the following requirements:
- Provide proof of registration as an apprentice plumber
- Provide proof of holding a current restricted journey worker license or restricted master license for at least two years
- Provide proof of at least 7,000 hours of in-field experience over the course of four years
- Provide proof of at least 2,000 hours in-field experience with water distribution system installation AND at least 2,000 hours in-field experience with drain, waste, and vent system installation AND at least 1,000 hours in-field experience with fixture installation
- Submit an application form and a $50 fee
- Take the appropriate exam
Plumbing Master and Journeyworker Exam
When you send the application for the exam you want to take and it is accepted, you can schedule the wanted exam at one of the designated examination sites and pay a $120 examination fee which is the same for both a master and journeyworker plumber exam.
The master plumber test has a greater focus on administrative issues and you can find several online resources to prepare you for the exam.
Minnesota Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
In Minnesota, plumbing apprentices are unlicensed plumbers.
To become an apprentice, work experience is not required.
You just need to pay a fee that is $14.
You can do all plumbing work as an apprentice, but it requires direct supervision under a licensed plumber.
During the training period, you must have 7000 hours of practical experience, and those hours are related to three categories: 2000 hours on water distribution system installation, 2000 hours on drain, waste, and vent system installation, and 1000 hours on fixture installation.
After four years of this training, you are eligible to take the journeyman exam.
You must renew your Minnesota plumbing license every two years by paying a fee of $128.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Minnesota
What we have to offer you is a selection of trade schools which offer plumbing programs in the state of Minnesota:
Hennepin Technical College
Location: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Contact Info: (952) 995-1300
Tuition: $5,130 (In-state)
Type: Public
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Location: 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Contact Info: (877) 450-3322
Tuition: $5,338 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Location: 1450 College Way, Worthington, MN 56187
Contact Info: (507) 372-3400
Tuition: $5,640 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
Northland Community and Technical College
Location: 1101 MN-1, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Contact Info: (218) 683-8800
Tuition: $5,484 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
Saint Paul College
Location: 235 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Contact Info: (651) 846-1600
Tuition: $5,458 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
Insurance for Plumbers in Minnesota
Plumbers need health and disability insurance.
Those who work in an organization will have employers who may handle these benefits, while an independent worker needs to purchase your own plan or get coverage through a union.
Plumbers need liability insurance in case of damage to a client’s property.
Minnesota Professional License Search
Being that it is the legal obligation of plumbers in the state of Minnesota to either be licensed or to work under the direct supervision of a licensed plumber, you can use a licensee lookup tool available on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website to search for either a person who will hire you as an apprentice or who will fix your issue.
Should I Join a Union?
Many plumbers wonder whether joining a union will be helpful.
In the plumbing trade, the Plumbers and Gasfitters Union 34 has a five-year, paid apprenticeship program and journeyman test preparation.
Many plumbers depend on a local union as it helps them with health insurance and other benefits.
Unions are also beneficial as they negotiate work contracts at larger organizations.
Salary
A plumber’s pay rate highly depends on his or her license level and location, as well as experience.
At the starting level, a registered unlicensed plumber, which is an apprentice, will make about $15 per hour.
However, the average pay for a journeyman or master plumber in Minnesota is $30.82 per hour, meaning that their average salary is around $58,701.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Minnesota
City Name Salary Minneapolis $61,025 St. Paul $61,025 Duluth $54,427 Rochester $55,574 Burnsville $60,853 Saint Cloud $54,128 Minnetonka $61,025 Eden Prairie $60,922 Lakeville $60,647 Adams $55,058 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Duluth, MN-WI 390 $80,130 $38.52 $105,480 $47,320 Mankato-North Mankato, MN 170 $72,620 $34.91 $99,060 $48,440 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 6,010 $85,890 $41.29 $119,740 $49,440 Rochester, MN 500 $81,810 $39.33 $106,020 $49,100 St. Cloud, MN 960 $72,890 $35.04 $94,390 $49,160
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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