Plumber Classes in Rhode Island (Top Schools)

No matter whether you want to work for somebody or be independent in your plumbing career, it is very significant to know who has to be licensed for plumbing in Rhode Island.

A person who does the following or plans to do these tasks has to be licensed in Rhode Island:

• Assembles pipe sections, tubing, and fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, and welding equipment
• Cuts openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings, using hand and power tools
• Fills pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks
• Hangs steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place
• Installs pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters, and fixtures such as sinks and toilets, using hand and power tools

Rhode Island Plumbing License Reciprocity

Those already licensed plumbers in other states will find it amazing that Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements for plumbing license, and that a master plumber or a journeyperson plumber duly licensed by examination in a state(s) other than Rhode Island may be issued a license.

However, it is necessary that the requirements are the same.

So as to get the right to work in Rhode Island, a licensed plumber from another state has to provide the following:

• A copy of his or her current license
• Affidavits of having successfully passed a written examination for licensure in the state in which he or she holds current licensure and that such examination was for the classification for which the applicant is seeking licensure in this state; and that the applicant has successfully passed in this state a written examination approved by the Board in the classification for which the applicant is seeking licensure
• The Board of Plumbing or Irrigation in each state in which the applicant holds or has held licensure submits to the Board of this State a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant.

Rhode Island Master Plumbing License Requirements

Candidates for an apprenticeship, journeyperson, or master’s license must submit a Plumbing and Irrigators Application for Examination and Apprenticeship.

To get a Master plumbing license in Rhode Island you need to meet the state requirements, that is:

• Hold a Journeyman Plumber License for at least 5 years
• Submit an application with a fee of $75
• Pass the Rhode Island Master Plumber Exam

Rhode Island Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements

If you want to get a Journeyperson plumbing license in Rhode Island, you need to meet state requirements, provide proof of being a registered apprentice plumber for the previous four years with 8,000 hours of on the job training during a 5-year period, including 576 hours of training at a state-approved training program., submit an application with a fee of $75, and pass the Rhode Island Journeyman Plumber Exam.

Plumbing Journeyman Exam

The Rhode Island journeyperson plumbing exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions based on the Rhode Island Edition of the “BOCA International Plumbing Code 2006” and the RI Edition of the State Building Code SBC-3 State Plumbing code effective July 1, 2013.

When preparing for this exam, we suggest that you pay special attention to the following subjects which are covered in the questions:

• Terminology and Calculations
• Materials and Material Standards
• Joints and Connections
• Traps and Cleanouts
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Hangers and Supports
• Indirect Waste Piping
• Water Distribution Systems
• Sanitary Drainage Systems
• Vents and Venting Systems
• Cross Connections
• Storm Drains
• Related Subjects
• Inspecting and Testing

The exam is not an open book one, so we highly suggest that you should take some time to prepare well for it.

Once you think you are ready for it, you can take the Rhode Island plumber exam at the following address:

RI Department of Labor and Training
Building 73-1, Conference Room
1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
(401) 462-8580, Option #4

You will know whether you passed or failed it when your score is mailed to you within the week.

How do I renew my Rhode Island plumber license?

The great thing is that licenses are renewed online and what you need to do is to enter your identification information, follow the steps provided, and pay the appropriate fee so as to finish the process.

Master Plumber license renewal fee is $240 while a Journeyperson Plumber license renewal fee is $72.

There is no need for continuing education to maintain your Rhode Island plumber license.

Rhode Island Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

A plumbing apprentice learns to perform all the duties of a journeyman and work under the supervision of either a master or journeyman plumber.

Those interested in becoming an apprentice in Rhode Island must apply directly to the employer or sponsor they wish to work for if they meet the following requirements:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have submitted a completed application

Rhode Island Plumbing Apprentice Jobs

If you belong to aspiring plumbers in Rhode Island and you do not know how you can find state-approved apprenticeships, we offer you the following job finding websites where you can find such programs:

• Indeed
• Glassdoor

Rhode Island Professional License Search

It is a good thing that each individual interested in finding a person who is licensed to do the plumbing job, or an employer to start the apprenticeship can utilize Rhode Island’s professional license search and verify plumbing licenses in his/her area.

Plumbing Trade Schools in Rhode Island

You can choose from various trade and vocational schools in Rhode Island offering courses, degrees, and certificates in the field of plumbing and these are just a few to mention:

Community College of Rhode Island
Location: Warwick, RI
Tuition: $955-$1,005 per course
Contact: (401)825-1214

New England Institute of Technology
Location: East Greenwich, RI
Tuition: $15,750.00 per academic year
Contact: (401)467-7744

Salary

When the salary is in question, some people will consider it low and not satisfying, but it will highly depend on the level of skills a person has and those highly experienced plumbers can earn quite a good salary reaching up to 69313 per year.

The average Plumber salary in Rhode Island is $60,585, and these numbers vary among the major cities. 

Annual Salary Range:

* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

Region	Employed	Avg. Annual Salary	Avg. Hourly Pay	Top 10% Annual Salary	Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	2,650	$74,550	$35.84	$102,400	$47,040

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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