General Education

• Most licensing boards mandate a high-school diploma or GED for entry into a plumber apprenticeship. Even in a state without this requirement, an apprentice candidate without a diploma is unlikely to be selected for one of the limited apprenticeship opportunities. In addition to general education courses, students interested in the plumbing trade should take mathematics and physics courses if available. Many vocational courses also prove valuable to future plumber apprentices. For example, a drafting course provides an introduction to reading blueprints, schematics and building plans.
  
  

Plumber Apprenticeship

• In most states, an approved apprenticeship is a prerequisite of licensure as a plumber. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job experience working under a licensed plumber with formal classroom training in theory, methodology and building code. Generally, an apprenticeship requires four or five years to complete. Note that in many states, plumber licensing boards only acknowledge experience obtained from government-approved apprenticeship programs because they are specifically designed to prepare participants for professional licensure.
  
  The U.S. Department of Labor website maintains a state-by-state index of government-operated apprenticeship agencies. To find an apprenticeship in your area, contact your state agency and inquire about opportunities in your area. The agency may direct you to a local office that can provide you personalized assistance.
  
  

Journeyman Plumber Experience

• To become eligible for a master plumber license, many states require one to three years of experience as a licensed journeyman plumber working under the supervision of a master plumber. To obtain a journeyman plumber license, submit an application to the plumber licensing board in your area. Generally, your application must include documented proof of adequate schooling and training as an apprentice. After the application materials have been verified, license candidates must pass a journeyman license examination.
  
  

Master Plumber Examination

• A plumber with the required number of years as a licensed journeyman is eligible to sit for the master plumber examination. The application process is usually similar to that required for the journeyman license. A master plumber is authorized to operate an independent plumbing business and to hire journeyman plumbers and apprentices.