To get a plumbing license in Colorado, you need to obtain a pre-approval which is given by Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers. The board will examine your credentials before allowing you to sit for exams. Read below to learn about approval requirements.
Do you hold ambitions of becoming a professional plumber in Colorado? It is important to know the tasks that you will be required to do and the qualifications that you should have.
What qualifications do you need to be a plumber?
The primary role of plumbers is to install, repair and replace fittings in buildings. You will do the job in commercial and residential premises.
You should also have a proper understanding of the tools that are required for the job, procedures to follow when working on plumbing systems and the codes that you should adhere to. Customer service and business management are skills that every professional plumber should have.
You cannot meet all of the above requirements unless you study for the relevant courses and related areas. Here are some academic requirements that you should meet:
Study Plumbing-related courses in high school
There is quite a good number of vocational courses in Colorado that offer plumbing courses. By attending such a school, you will learn the basics of plumbing and related topics. High school courses that can have some relevance in plumbing career include Physics and maths. A professional plumber should possess a high school diploma. Alternatively, you can acquire a GED, which helps to get admitted to an apprenticeship program.
Enroll in a plumbing apprenticeship
At this stage, you will learn technical and practical plumbing skills. It is a comprehensive program that covers all the aspects of plumbing and can take up to a period of between 4 and 5 years. Apprenticeship is a combination of classroom instructions and on-job training.
Some of the things that you will learn through the apprenticeship include:
-Basic training
-Local codes and ethics
-Blueprint reading
-Plumbing tools
-Different types of pipes and other essential plumbing material
You can find plumbing apprenticeships through local plumbing and heating unions in Colorado.
Attend a Community College or a Trade School
You can expand your knowledge in this field by enrolling in a college or vocational school that offers certificate and diploma in plumbing. You can also pursue an Associate’s degree program in plumbing. The degree, diploma and certificate programs combine both the classroom and practical sessions.
Get a plumbing job
After obtaining both theoretical and practical knowledge, you need to apply for a job, which will give you the relevant plumbing experience. Some of your potential employers include building contractors, government agencies, private businesses among others.
How do I get a plumbing license in Colorado?
For you to be regarded as a professional plumber in Colorado, you need to have a plumbing license. You should apply for the license on the state’s official website which is https://www.colorado.gov.
There are different types of plumbing licenses in Colorado, including:
-Master Plumbing License: You should have 5 years of work experience
-Journeyman Plumbers License: Have a documented 4 years experience or 6800 working hours
-Residential Plumbing License: Apart from the general papers, you should have 2 years experience or 3400 working hours
Each license has its limitations on the nature of plumbing services that you should provide. Once licensed, you can perform your plumbing duties in Colorado in accordance to your license.
How many hours do you need to get your journeyman plumbing license?
A Journeyman Plumber is required to show 6,800 hours of plumbing experience.* Maintenance and service work do not qualify.
How many hours do you need to get your master plumber plumbing license?
A Master Plumber is required to show 8,500 hours of plumbing experience.* Maintenance and service work do not qualify.
How much does it cost to get a plumbing license?
There is an exam fee of $75 payable for each of the different license exams; residential plumber, journeyman, or master plumber.
What are the requirements to get plumbing license?
All applicants must:
● Submit payment of the required application fee via credit card. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
● Provide information regarding other plumber licenses you may have held.
● Upload another state plumber license, if applicable.
● Upload transcripts, if applicable.
● Upload affidavit(s) of experience, if applicable.
● Identify current employer and show active apprentice registration, if applicable.
● Complete the Affidavit of Eligibility section within the application.
● Upload name change documentation, if applicable.
● Answer general and criminal history screening questions and upload supporting documentation.
Plumbing is a great career choice. Good luck on obtaining your Colorado licensing requirements and welcome to the fun and lucrative field of plumbing.
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