Inside: How to Become a Plumber in Colorado. Collaborative post.
Are you currently searching for a rewarding career that’s fulfilling but also pays the bills? If so, have you possibly considered becoming a plumber in Denver, CO?
You get the satisfaction of taking care of people’s plumbing issues and have the opportunity to continue advancing your career. So, how do you get started on your journey to becoming a licensed plumber?
Do You Need a Plumbing License?
You can’t just hang up a sign in Colorado announcing you’re offering plumbing services. This is illegal. Like most states, Colorado requires all plumbing work to be handled by a licensed plumber. The only exception is if you’re working on your home’s plumbing.
Plumbing licensing requirements are set down by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This is the agency managing the Colorado State Plumbing Board. Colorado has three types of plumbers licenses, residential, journeyman, and master.
The three types or levels of plumbing licenses build off of each other. For example, you can’t skip straight to becoming a master plumber. You need to go through the residential and journeyman requirements:
- Residential — requires two years (3,400 hours) of practical experience.
- Journeyman — requires four years (6,800 hours) of practical experience.
- Master — requires five full-time years (8,500 hours) of practical experience.
Typically, one month is equal to 163 hours towards your plumbing license.
Steps to Getting Your Colorado Plumbing License
Before you start looking for an apprenticeship position, you must be at least 18 years old. This applies even if you’re emancipated before you turn 18. This is state law and must be followed.
Become an Apprentice
An apprentice plumber is anyone who doesn’t have the hours of experience to earn a plumbing license. Instead, the apprentice spends their days at work following a licensed plumber around. Eventually, an apprentice will start working on small projects, while under close supervision, like tightening a leaky pipe or faucet.
Think of an apprenticeship as your schooling. The primary difference is you’re taking a hands-on approach to your learning. For your hours as an apprentice to count towards your residential plumber’s license, you must register with the state within 30 days of starting at the plumbing company.
Apply for Your Residential Plumbing License
After completing two years of training as an apprentice, you can apply for your residential plumbing license. Remember, you must be registered as an apprentice for the hours to count toward your license.
You will need to take an exam and pay some associated fees. Don’t worry, the exam only covers what you learned during the apprenticeship. After passing the exam, you can start working as a residential plumber. This means you can legally work on home plumbing but aren’t ready to tackle commercial jobs.
Becoming a Journeyman
You’ll need to spend around two years working as a residential plumber before you can apply for your journeyman’s plumbing license. Depending on the hours you’re putting in at work, it may take a little less or longer than two years.
Don’t forget to register as a residential plumber. This usually happens automatically after receiving your residential plumbing license. You’ll take the journeyman’s plumbing exam, pay the licensing fees, and if you pass the exam you’ve made it to the next level.
Taking the Master Plumber’s Exam
Between becoming a residential and then a journeyman plumber, you have four years of experience on the job. You’re almost finished with the licensing process. After registering as a journeyman plumber, you have one year left to go.
Once you have a total of five years of experience completed and under your belt, you can pay the fees pass the exam and show off your master plumber’s license.
Pay Attention to License Expiration Dates
All plumbers’ licenses regardless of the level expire on February 28th of odd-numbered years. For example, you’re not going to need to renew your license in 2024, but it’s a necessity in 2025. This usually applies even if you receive your license in December of 2024. You need to complete 8 hours of continuing education credits to renew your plumber’s license.
Start a Rewarding Career
Becoming a licensed plumber may not have been an original career goal, but it’s something to consider. You can start working and getting paid as an apprentice and get moving up the various levels until you’re a licensed master plumber.
You get the satisfaction of helping people resolve their plumbing issues while getting paid. Who knows, maybe you’ll even decide to open your own plumbing company in Colorado. Just remember, to always register every level with the state and don’t forget to pay attention to license renewal dates.