Futon Heaven

People who desire to become plumbers must be ready to go through a vigorous process that covers at least two years before they are able to become licensed at the lowest level. Training to become a plumber involves both classroom work as well as the majority of the training which is in the field under the direct supervision of a Master or Journeyman plumber. Training involves learning the latest techniques and materials, such as digital plumber training in things such as automatic toilets and sinks.

Levels of Licensure

Before a plumber can become licensed, he must go through courses that give him training to become a plumber. However, these classes are not enough and are sometimes done while working full time as a plumber’s apprentice. A plumber’s apprentice works on real jobs with a Master or Journeyman plumber so that his hours can be approved in the four to eight thousand that he must put in before he will be allowed to take any licensing exam. During this time, the plumber’s apprentice learns the math, science and the reading of blueprints, as well as other basic skills that can be taught in the classroom. Out on the field, he is putting those skills to work and learning how to solve problems that plumbers face every day through the guidance of expert plumbers.

Once four thousand hours have been completed, which is about two years working full time, the apprentice is eligible to take the Tradesman licensing exam. If he successfully completes the exam, then he is able to practice plumbing on a limited level in most states without supervision. However, it is a limited licensure, so he is not able to supervise others or work on more complex jobs. In order to do that, he must continue his training to become a plumber at a higher level, the Journeyman licensure.

To be eligible for the Journeyman licensing exam, the Tradesman plumber must earn four thousand more hours under a Journeyman or Master plumber. This training gives him more experience, not only in the skills needed to be a Journeyman plumber, which also requires supervising apprentices and Tradesman plumbers. After earning the Journeyman license, the plumber can still go on to a higher level of training to be a plumber, which is that of a Master plumber. In order to be eligible for the exam, the Journeyman plumber must train for one more year under a Master plumber to be able to take the exam.