A plumber is a licensed tradesman who specializes in maintaining and installing systems used for both domestic and public water, and for drainage and sewage systems. He makes repairs to drainage pipes and installs drainage equipment such as jetting systems, sump pumps, trench drains, and line drains. Plumbers are needed to repair leaky faucets, toilets, sinks, water heaters, washing machines, septic tanks, hot water tanks, and water treatment plants. In the United States, plumbing codes are enforced at the local level and plumbers must be licensed by the plumbing code board. The most stringent licensing requirements are in California. All states, however, have some requirements that the plumber has to follow.
One of the basic skills required by plumbers is getting into a pipe or joint and making sure it doesn’t collapse. This skill can also help plumbers determine whether or not a pipe is leaking. Plumbing leaks often appear as black streaks, small cracks, or gouges. They can come from places like joints, pipe corners, or pipe extensions. One common cause for leaks is putty. If a plumber finds a black or dark-colored putty in the wall, he knows that the leak is behind the plumber joint or pipe.
After completing their apprenticeship, plumbers must go through four years of training. In addition to the four years of apprenticeship, plumbers must complete at least 100 hours of professional training through certified courses. Plumbers may also choose to take refresher courses once a year to keep up with the changing technology.
The majority of plumbers receive their licenses through on-the-job training. Each state assigns plumbers to zones where they work. After completing an apprenticeship and completing the required number of hours on the job, a plumber will be issued his license.
Plumbers who are licensed through on-the-job training may also decide to become licensed through continuing education. Many states require plumbers to complete continuing education classes every two years. At the completion of these classes, plumbers will be required to take the board exam. Successful plumbers will have their licenses renewed every three years.
Every two years, plumbers will need to take another test in order to update their skills and get re-licensed. In addition to passing the initial licensing examination, new plumbers will need to demonstrate they know how to handle drains and plumbing problems associated with sinks, toilets, tubs, and showers. New construction and residential plumbing projects will require more tests.
People who are interested in becoming licensed plumbers should carefully consider the many options they have available to them. Most states require people to complete at least four years of schooling before they can be certified as a master plumber. The amount of time students spend in school will determine their final licensing fees. In some cases, plumbers will attend a community college instead of completing four years at a traditional university. Students who are working toward becoming a master plumber will often work towards their certification in addition to earning their four years of high school education.
Different types of plumbers have different experiences and training. Although some plumbers work exclusively for one specific company, others work for many different ones throughout their career. Plumbers who work exclusively for a specific firm may have more experience than someone who works for several different firms. Journeyman plumbers usually start out working as journeymen after completing an apprenticeship.
Journeyman plumbers typically spend two years building up enough experience to qualify them for the final exam from the NCSL. After passing this test, plumbers will be eligible to take the test that qualifies them to become a licensed journeyman plumber. The final step is taking an exam that travels across the country to qualifying places for the NCSL exam. Many people believe the certification process takes a long time, but it actually only takes about six months to earn your license as a journeyman plumber.
If you want to become a journeyman plumber, you will need to find an apprenticeship program. There are dozens of different apprenticeship programs in the US. Many times a plumber will seek an apprenticeship with a local contractor to gain experience and build up his resume. An apprenticeship program should provide you with everything from bookwork to hands-on training. Some of the most popular plumbers in the country choose to enroll in apprenticeship programs that send them to construction sites. You can even find apprenticeship programs in major cities around the country.
After finishing your apprenticeship, you will need to pass a licensing exam that the state will establish for your specific profession. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover plumbing basics. You will be expected to answer accurately in order to demonstrate you have both the knowledge and skill to be a successful journeyman plumber. Once you successfully complete your apprenticeship, you will be ready to apply for jobs as a licensed professional plumber.
