Plumbing is an essential part of your everyday life. When you trust a plumber to clean your drains, fix your water heater, or install a water softener, you'd expect the assurance of a job well done. While reading reviews and learning more about the company’s reputation can help, the first thing to look for is a plumbing license.

Only six states — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming — don’t assign plumbing licenses through the state. Actually, they expect city and county groups to supply oversight and licensing. While the actual requirements to secure a plumbing license vary by region, you can rest knowing that hiring a licensed Expert is the best way to decrease the possibility of mediocre workmanship, rip-offs and health problems.

Educational Criteria for Plumbers

Here's a summary of what it takes to become a licensed plumber:

Education: Lots of vocational schools and community colleges offer plumbing certificates or degrees. In most scenarios, the training includes all the vital skills plumbers use every day.
Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations provide apprenticeship training that blend classroom learning with on-site experience. These programs normally last four to five years, and apprentices receive wages during the course of their training.
Licensing exam: A participating state offers its own plumbing assessment, which candidates must pass to acquire a license. The subject areas covered include plumbing fixtures, drainage systems, vents and venting, fabrication, pipe maintenance, administrative procedures and more. Requirements to take the exam vary by state and licensing level.

Types of Plumbing Licenses and Certifications

Plumbers can earn different licenses and certifications based on their knowledge and experience. These vary by location, and not all are offered in every state, but the most typical plumbing licenses and certifications include:

Plumbing certificate: Certain states only mandate plumbers to have a certificate to handle residential jobs with a minimal scope of work. This is primarily an apprentice-level plumber working with a certified supervisor.
Journeyman plumber: In most states, plumbers can take the journeyman’s licensing exam after finishing an apprenticeship and having 4 - 5 years of practical experience.
Master plumber: The requirements to take the master plumber’s licensing exam vary significantly by location. Some assessments only require 12 to 24 months working as a journeyman plumber, whereas others insist on four or five years of journeyman experience.
ACE certification: Progressing to an Advanced Certified Expert demonstrates the top level of professionalism and working experience. Receiving ACE certification is more exhaustive than most plumber licensing and demands annual recertification to guarantee that techs are up-to-date with the most recent industry standards.

Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Plumber

Using an unlicensed plumber for the job could be less expensive at first, but that’s where the benefits stop. Don't gamble on your plumbing — only choose a licensed pro, no matter how simple or complex the job is, to ensure all the perks of professional experience:

Excellent workmanship: Plumbing is not an easy field. Performing even the most clear-cut tasks, like snaking a drain, requires specialized equipment and years of experience. As a result of the intensive training needed for certification, you can be assured knowing that a licensed plumber will solve the problem.
Liability insurance: Most states require plumbers to show proof of liability insurance as part of the licensing process. This prevents you, the homeowner, from liability for property damage or medical bills if a plumber has an mishap while performing services in your home.
Legitimate and code-compliant: Large plumbing jobs often require permits to ensure safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are typically turned down the required permits. If they proceed with the job, you could confront code violations and subsequent penalties later on. Similarly, you can face legal consequences if an unlicensed plumber harms the local waterways. Remove these risks by only choosing a licensed professional.
Preserved health and safety: A certified plumber knows the proper methods for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and gas lines. Years of hands-on experience are necessary to reduce the risk of water contamination, sewer backups and gas leaks.
Reliable services: Unfortunately, there are plumbers out there that don't have your best interest at heart. But a fully licensed team is significantly less likely to try to swindle you than an unlicensed company. In the end, homeowners can lodge a formal complaint with the state licensing board if they suspect being cheated, leaving the plumber with a steep fine or even causing them to forfeit their license. Knowing this provides extra peace of mind when hiring a plumber for the first time.

Schedule Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional

At Service Experts, we go above and beyond to deliver the best plumbing services to our customers throughout North America. First, we are licensed, insured and ACE-certified. What’s more, everything we do is backed by our Service Experts Guarantee. To receive reliable plumbing services in your area, please contact a Service Experts office near you today!