Many people think that becoming a plumber is as easy as joining the staff of a plumbing company. This is not the case. Plumbers have to take a series of classes and have proper qualifications to start their career. If you are looking to become a plumber, or are curious of what it takes, keep reading! We are excited to share our training and trade with you!
Step 1 – Have a High School Diploma
Having a high school education is key to becoming a plumber. A high school diploma is not the only qualification that you must have. You must also be a professional and driven individual that have strong mathematical skills. Throughout the workday, we are challenged with measuring, calculating, and placing a series of elements. To have the basic knowledge of math and geometry will help you tackle each of these challenges with ease.
Plumbers are always in demand. This is a highly competitive field that is still growing. Having a high school diploma and the necessary knowledge will put you ahead of other candidates when applying for jobs. Brushing up on these skills before going into interviews will ensure that you can prove that you are capable of tackling tasks better than others.
In some cases, we have found that plumbing companies will request that you share or take the ACT test, which specifically target English and math courses. They can then identify your skills based on your scores.
Step 2 – Educational Plumbing Classes
You can’t become a plumber overnight! You must take a series of vocational courses that will give you the certification to begin your job hunt. These classes can range from technical school or college programs that are geared toward plumbing specific challenges. The classes will range from toilet repair to fixing a leaky faucet to fully renovating a bathroom. By completing these courses, you will be able to earn an apprenticeship in your state.
Step 3 – Plumber Apprenticeship
This is the most crucial step to becoming a plumber. To be employed, you must complete a certain amount of time of an apprenticeship. This can range anywhere from four to five years or a number of hours. This is to give plumbers experience in the field before they accomplish tasks on their own.
To be enrolled in an apprenticeship program, a plumber must apply and take an aptitude test. This will ensure the you are aware of the best practices and methods of a plumber. The scoring of your test along with the following requirements will allow you to be able to proceed to the next step:
- No criminal record
- Valid identification or drivers licence
- Drug testing
- Clean driving record
Step – 4 Journeyman Plumber’s Exam
After you have completed your apprenticeship and passed the exiting exam, you are now allowed to take the Journeyman Plumber’s exam. This is the last and final step in proceeding to start your career as a plumber. When you are ready to take your Journeyman Plumber’s exam, you will need the following:
- Signed affidavit from the plumber you worked under during your time of apprenticeship
- Have proof of your completed coursework
- Schedule test time
- Take a practice test. There are many online resources, like the one here, to give you an idea of what kind of questions you will be asked.
After you have taken and passed your Journeyman Plumber’s test, you are officially a certified plumber. This will give you the opportunity to start your career as a plumber in your state! A career in plumbing is rewarding. Although it may take hard work, helping people every day with knowledge and expertise is a great feeling.
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