Why Do Plumbers Need a License in Most States?

Plumbing is a crucial part of your day-to-day life. When you hire a plumber to clear your drains, fix your water heater or install a water softener, you’d expect the assurance of a job well done. While reading reviews and learning more about the company’s years of experience can help, the main thing to look for is a plumbing license. 

Only a few states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t assign plumbing licenses through the state. Instead, they expect city and county groups to offer oversight and licensing. While the specific requirements to obtain a plumbing license vary by city, you can rest assured that hiring a licensed Expert is the top way to decrease the risk of inferior workmanship, fraud and health problems. 

Educational Expectations for Plumbers 

This is what it takes to obtain a plumber’s license: 

• Education: Numerous vocational schools and community colleges offer plumbing certificates or degrees. In most scenarios, the training includes all the vital skills plumbers use on a regular basis. 
• Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations provide apprenticeship training that blend classroom learning with on-site experience. These programs typically last four to five years, and apprentices earn wages throughout their training. 
• Licensing exam: A participating state offers its own plumbing exam, which candidates must pass to acquire a license. The subject areas covered include things like plumbing fixtures, drainage systems, vents and venting, fabrication, pipe maintenance, administrative procedures and more. Criteria to take the exam vary by state and licensing level. 

Types of Plumbing Licenses and Certifications 

Plumbers can earn various licenses and certifications based on their training and experience. These vary by location, and not all are necessary in every state, but the most common plumbing licenses and certifications include: 

• Plumbing certificate: Certain states only require plumbers to have a certificate to work on residential jobs with a modest scope of work. This is more or less an apprentice-level plumber working with master plumber oversight. 
• Journeyman plumber: Usually, plumbers will take the journeyman’s licensing exam after finishing an apprenticeship and having the required years of practical experience. 
• Master plumber: The criteria to qualify for the master plumber’s licensing exam vary widely by location. Some assessments only expect 12 to 24 months working as a journeyman plumber, whereas others require four or five years of journeyman experience. 

• ACE certification: Becoming an Advanced Certified Expert demonstrates the highest level of professionalism and practical experience. Earning ACE certification is more exhaustive than most plumber licensing and involves yearly recertification to guarantee that techs are up-to-date with the most recent industry standards. 

Advantages of Hiring a Licensed Plumber 

Selecting an unlicensed plumber for the job may be less expensive at first, but that’s where the benefits stop. Why chance it? — only work with a licensed pro, no matter how simple or complex the job is, to ensure all the perks of professional experience: 

• Superb workmanship: Plumbing is not an easy field. Conducting even the most direct jobs, like snaking a drain, requires specialized equipment and years of expertise. Given the amount of training needed to achieve their certifications, you can rest easy knowing that a licensed plumber will solve the problem. 
• Liability insurance: A good number of states require plumbers to demonstrate proof of liability insurance as part of the licensing process. This protects you, the homeowner, from being held liable for property damage or an injury on-site if a plumber has an mishap while working in your home. 

• Legal and code-compliant: Large plumbing jobs often have to have permits to ensure safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are regularly turned down the needed permits. If they go ahead with the job, you could confront code violations and subsequent penalties later on. Additionally, you can face legal issues if an unlicensed plumber harms the local waterways. Prevent these risks by only hiring a licensed professional. 
• Preserved health and safety: A competent plumber adheres to the proper strategies for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and gas lines. Years of hands-on experience are essential to minimize the risk of water contamination, sewer backups and gas leaks. 
• Legitimate services: Not all plumbers have your best interest at heart. But a fully licensed team is much less likely to try to swindle you than an unlicensed company. In the end, homeowners can file an official complaint with the state licensing board if they suspect being cheated, leaving the plumber with a steep fine or even causing them to forfeit their license. Knowing this provides extra peace of mind when hiring a plumber for the first time. 

Set up Any Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional 

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we go above and beyond to offer the best plumbing services to our clients across North America. First, we are licensed, insured and ACE-certified. What’s more, everything we do is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. To receive reliable plumbing services in your area, please contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office near you today!