Plumbing is an important part of your daily life. When you hire a plumber to clear your drains, service 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 # 1 thing to look for is a plumbing license.
Only a handful of states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t require plumbing licenses at the state level. Instead, they use city and county agencies to provide oversight and licensing. While the specific requirements to secure a plumbing license vary by region, you can be certain that hiring a licensed Expert is the ideal way to decrease the possibility of mediocre workmanship, deception and health problems.
Educational Expectations for Plumbers
Here's a summary of what it takes to get a plumber's license:
- Education: Plenty of vocational schools and community colleges facilitate plumbing certificates or degrees. This classroom training covers all the crucial skills plumbers use on a regular basis.
- Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations provide apprenticeship programs that blend classroom learning with hands-on experience. These programs usually take four to five years, and apprentices receive wages during their training.
- Licensing exam: A participating state offers its own plumbing test, which candidates must pass to earn a license. The topics covered deal with 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 education and experience. These vary by location, and not all are available in every state, but the most typical plumbing licenses and certifications include:
- Plumbing certificate: Some states only need plumbers to have a certificate to work on residential jobs with a moderate scope of work. This is effectively an apprentice-level plumber working with a certified supervisor.
- Journeyman plumber: Usually, plumbers can take the journeyman’s licensing exam after finishing an apprenticeship and having the necessary years of hands-on experience.
- Master plumber: The prerequisites to take the master plumber’s licensing exam vary widely by location. Some assessments only require one or two years working as a journeyman plumber, whereas others call for four or five years of journeyman experience.
- ACE certification: Training to be an Advanced Certified Expert demonstrates the maximum level of professionalism and practical experience. Attaining ACE certification is more rigorous than typical plumber licensing and demands annual recertification to guarantee that techs are up-to-date with the most current industry standards.
Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Plumber
Using an unlicensed plumber for the job might be less expensive at first, but that’s where the benefits end. But when it comes to your home’s plumbing — only work with a licensed expert, no matter how simple or complex the job is, to ensure all the perks of professional experience:
- Excellent workmanship: Plumbing is not as simple as it may seem. Completing even the most clear-cut tasks, like snaking a drain, involves specialized equipment and years of experience. Given the amount of training needed to achieve their certifications, you can rest assured that a licensed plumber will solve the problem.
- Liability insurance: Nearly all states require plumbers to display proof of liability insurance as a condition of the licensing process. This keeps you, the homeowner, from liability for property damage or an injury on-site if a plumber has an mishap while working in your home.
- Authorized and code-compliant: Big plumbing jobs frequently require permits to ensure safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are regularly refused the necessary permits. If they go ahead with the job, you could receive code violations and accompanying fees later on. Additionally, you could face legal repercussions if an unlicensed plumber damages the local waterways. Eliminate these risks by only hiring a licensed professional.
- Preserved health and safety: A competent plumber understands the proper techniques for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and gas lines. Years of hands-on experience are essential to reduce the risk of water contamination, sewer backups and gas leaks.
- Legitimate services: Some plumbers don't have your best interest at heart. But a fully licensed team is significantly less likely to try to scam you than an unlicensed company. Besides, homeowners can file a complaint with the state licensing board if they suspect fraud, which might cost the plumber a severe fine or even causing them to lose their license. Knowing this provides extra peace of mind when hiring a plumber for the first time.
Schedule Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional
At Matz-Rightway, we go above and beyond to deliver the best plumbing services to our communities throughout North America. First, we are licensed, insured and ACE-certified. What’s more, everything we do is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. To request an appointment for reliable plumbing services in your area, please contact a Matz-Rightway office near you today!