Becoming a plumber can be a lucrative career choice, and those who are interested in this profession will need to enroll in some specialty courses and apprenticeship programs.
Having the proper training under your belt could substantially increase your pay in the coming years and help you land an ideal job with a great company.
Here is a look at some of the educational programs that you might need to complete before you become a master plumber.
High School Courses and Vocational Training
You don’t necessarily need to take vocational courses in high school, but those classes could speed this process up. At the very least, you must have a high school diploma before starting an apprenticeship program. If you didn’t complete high school when you were younger, then you will need to apply for a GED. Acquiring a GED requires basic knowledge of subjects such as math, science, history, and grammar.
In-Class Apprenticeship Courses
Most plumbers don’t need to complete any college courses before starting an apprenticeship, but taking a few classes will look good on your resume or application. Depending on which apprenticeship you apply for, there could be quite a bit of competition for only a handful of spots. Once you have been accepted, you will need to take a few basic courses that cover fluid dynamics, metalwork, sanitation, and general safety.
On-the-Job Training
After you have completed your classwork, you are then going to receive intensive training out in the field. A general home and bathroom plumber requires different skills than a commercial HVAC specialist, and you will need about 8,000 hours of training in the field you would like to specialize in. An apprentice can be promoted to a journeyman after they have completed their hours and taken a general skills test.
Acquiring Your License
You cannot begin work as a journeyman plumber until you are fully licensed by your state board. Even after you have your license, you must continue to train and take proficiency tests if you want to keep it active. Becoming a master plumber typically requires at least seven years of hands-on training. The state that you are working in might also have additional requirements such as an OSHA certification.
Before enrolling in any plumbing courses or programs, you should first spend some time researching your state’s laws. Every state has slightly different regulations, and you might need to follow a very specific path in order to receive the proper licensing. Once you are licensed and insured, you can then start your own business or join an existing company.
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- The international Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
- Publisher: International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
- Paperback: 632 pages
- Running time: 87 minutes
- Bree Danielle, Bryson James, Garen Michael, Shae Tessa, Gary Curtis
- English
Last update on 2019-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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