Every professional takes time and experience before they can finally call themselves as such. No one earns their credentials overnight, so thorough training and constant learning must always be practiced throughout one’s career.
Plumbers, for instance, take years of training before they can finally help you solve your common plumbing issues at home. And while it isn’t listed as one of the most in-demand jobs this year, it’s safe to say that there is still a huge opportunity for aspiring plumbers in the business. This is largely because homes and businesses will always have plumbing issues and concerns that need to be addressed by a professional.
But have you ever wondered how long it takes exactly for plumbers to become the best at what they do?
The time it takes for someone to become a plumber depends on the rules and regulations of the city you live in. In general, it takes someone around four to five years of apprenticeship experience before they can practice the profession as a plumber. Some people also opt to go to trade school where there are programs offered specifically for those who would like to become plumbers.
In the state of Washington, becoming a plumber starts with applying for a plumber trainee certification. To become one, you must be at least 16 years of age and must also qualify for the recommended apprenticeship hours and training. They also need to complete at least 8 hours of continuing education yearly before they can get to the next step which is taking their plumbing licensure examination.
There are currently six types of plumbing certification you can get if you live in Washington:
- Journey Level Plumber (PL01) – Qualified to work in all areas of plumbing construction; they usually have around 8,000 hours of working as a plumber trainee under a certified journeyman plumber. Among those hours, 4,000 must be spent on industrial or commercial plumbing.
- Residential (PL02) – These plumbers are only qualified to work on residential structures with no more than three stories. They can do installations, repair, and maintenance work after at least 6,000 hours of training supervised by a professional.
- Pump and Irrigation (PL03) – They can work on equipment used for the production of clean and safe drinking water or irrigation purposes. They need at least 4,000 hours of training from a certified plumber, excluding ones with PL03A and PL30 licenses. They also require an electrical license on top of being a plumber.
- Domestic well (PL03A) – They need at least 2,000 hours of training from a certified plumber (excluding PL30) to work on drinking water or irrigation pump not exceeding 100 gallons per minute or 7.5 horsepower, single phase. They need their electrical license as well.
- Residential Service (PL04) – They can work on single-family homes and duplexes but only to replace or repair plumbing outside of the interior wall or above the floor. They will need at least 4,000 hours of training with a professional with half of them supervised by a journey-level or residential specialty plumber.
With such a rigorous process to become a plumber, it is only fitting that you hire a professional to service your home in any case of a plumbing emergency or if you need someone to do a complete overhaul of your plumbing system. Professional plumbers spend years perfecting their craft to ensure that the water and drainage systems in your home function and serve you the way they should.
If you live anywhere in the Pacific Northwest and are curious if there are companies out there who are the most qualified to perform plumbing repairs and installations in your home then you are in the right place. Drain Pro Plumbing has been in the business for years, run by a team of experienced plumbing professionals with all the licenses and certifications required to perform their duties as plumbers.
Whether it be a simple fixture replacement or a complete repiping of your plumbing system, trust that Drain Pro Plumbing can service you from Kent, WA, and beyond. Contact us today!
