If you’d like to know how to become a licensed plumber in Louisiana, this article is intended to provide you with the steps you need to take and a little extra guidance.
The plumbing industry is one of the fastest growing industries and the demand for licensed and trained plumbers is increasing day by day. You too can become a licensed plumber in Louisiana.
Basic Requirement
To become a licensed plumber in Louisiana, you need to fulfill following criteria:
You should be minimum 16 years of ages.
Hold a Driver’s License and no criminal record
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education (GED), in case you do not, you can still take a math entrance exam
Must enroll for a face-to-face interview conducted by the Plumbing Apprenticeship Committee
You have to pass a physical examination proving you can handle the challenges of the job.
You must have your own, reliable transportation
Pass the Plumber Aptitude test
Aptitude Test: Appear for the Plumber Aptitude test before applying for an Apprenticeship. Some of you may find the test relatively easy or elementary; still each one has to appear. And knowing what all topics shall be asked in the exam, it will make it relatively easy for you to crack the exam. The test is only about 1 hour and 20 minutes in duration (on average) and covers both the English Language and Math. In English, topics like spelling, reading comprehension are sure to come, similarly in Maths, you will be asked questions on topics related with Units and Measurements, Conversion, basic arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration etc.
Join an Apprenticeship program: Once you are eligible for the course and crack the aptitude test with eligible marks, you now need to look for a suitable apprenticeship program. Once you finalized a program, you have to check whether you meet the requirements or not. Once you have been accepted as an apprentice by a union or a private practice plumber, you will join them in the capacity of a journeyman or a master plumber for a particular number of years, which can be between 3-4 years. In addition to a “hands on” learning experience, a plumber’s apprentice teaches you to do basic installation, assembly of plumbing, as well as repair of water flow and drainage systems.
Technical Course Requirements: As an apprentice you will be expected to attend 144 hours of classroom training and at least 2000 hours of on the job training. Attendance at class sessions is mandatory.
Other Requirements: The objective of the apprenticeship program is to teach you the mental tools that you will need to pass the Journeyman exam. It also provides for performance pay increases.
Complete on-the-job training: Each course and Apprenticeship training will have their own rules for the number of hours required to become a Journeyman Plumber of Master Plumber. They vary from state to state so make sure you check your state’s requirements. However, you are expected to complete at least 2000 hours of work experience per year, and then another 250 or so classroom hours/year. These are paid apprentice, so you will earn roughly half of what a Journeyman’s salary is, which is anywhere around $30 per hour. All this vary from state to state.
Take the exam: The next crucial step is to appear for the exam to become Journeyman Plumber. Once you are through with your formal education, you are eligible to take Louisiana Journeyman Plumbing Exam. For this you have to access websites like https://www.spbla.com/ which will give you detailed information about how to take the exam, and other requirements.
If however, you have done your apprentice from private company, you have to secure an affidavit that confirms that you have met the state’s requirements. If you have not completed your apprenticeship classroom and on the job training hours, you are not eligible to apply for the exam.
The topics asked in exam mainly revolves around multiple choice questions that includes state, federal and local plumbing codes, maintenance and repair questions, as well as your general knowledge of plumbing systems. You may be also asked to demonstrate your practical skills using some tools and certain plumbing fixtures.
Licenses: Once you pass the exam successfully, you will be granted a state license relating to plumbing as well as journeyman certification. The license will have a fee associated with it, and has to be renews yearly. The fee is nominal, but make sure you keep your certification current.
Check: https://www.spbla.com/licenses/ for more details.
The entire exam and license is taken care by State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
Plumber Salary
The average salary of a plumber in Louisiana is $22.29 hourly, however it is also between $14.87 to $ 30.63 per hour, depending upon the experience of the worker, and his proficiency. Cities which are densely populated pay the maximum to plumbers, like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Once you are a journeyman, you should be working towards becoming a certified master plumber.
Other Information: Choosing plumbing as a career can be very rewarding a plumber is required at every home, office and shops. Once you are licensed, you need not have to look back. From a Journeyman Plumber, you can become a Master Plumber in approximately 5 years, for this too, you have to pass the next level of exam.
Also, the master plumbers in the State of Louisiana are expected to carry general liability insurance, vehicle liability insurance as approved by Law, whatever service vehicle it is, and worker’s compensation insurance, if you have any employees working for you.
Other requirements include the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana being listed on the certificate of the insurance as a holder, all you need to do is to submit a proof of current insurance renewal for each year. In case you are an individual and you do not have employees, then you can submit an affidavit stating the same. You are eligible for the license only when you submit insurance proof.
Like with almost all careers, career of a plumber too gets honed with time, so try your best and practice.
Hopefully this overview gives you a great idea of how to become a licensed plumber in Louisiana.
To read this article in Spanish, click here.
