Can You Become a Plumber in Under Two Years?

Among the service trades, the plumbing trade is one of the fastest to learn. Most trade school programs can be completed in two to four years, while most apprenticeships can be completed in two to five years. Of course, your relative experience, education, and the program you are enrolled in will influence how quickly you can complete your education.

However, it is rarely possible to become a full-fledged plumber in under two years. Although you can become an apprentice almost immediately, becoming a licensed plumber is a long process since you will need to meet certain experience qualifications and pass certain exams.

How to Become a Plumber

Just like any other trade, the process to become a plumber will be determined by your preferred educational route. When you are considering how to become a plumber quickly, you will need to weigh your decision carefully so that you can pick the educational route that is most appropriate for you and your financial ability.

The main steps to becoming a plumber include having basic educational requirements, enrolling in a trade school or apprenticeship, and applying for a license in any state you wish to practice plumbing in.

High School Diploma or GED

In order to apply for a plumbing license, you must have a high school diploma, GED, or other educational equivalents. This requirement is necessary for all states in the country. Having a diploma or equivalent degree will ensure you have the basic skills necessary to become a plumber.

If you do not have a high school diploma, GED, or another educational equivalent, you will need to get this degree before you can apply for an apprenticeship. Some trade schools may help you get your GED during your education.

Trade School or Apprenticeship

To become a plumber, you must be enrolled in a trade school or apprenticeship. A trade school will give you a structured learning experience so that you can learn everything you need to know about the installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing infrastructure.

An apprenticeship is an opportunity for hands-on learning, which may be more appropriate for those who thrive in that type of learning environment or who wish to be paid while they become a plumber.

How Much Can You Earn As an Apprentice?

Apprentice plumbers generally make minimum wage, which may be determined by your state. For the most part, an apprentice can expect to earn between $12 and $15 an hour.

Is Apprenticeship Faster Than Trade School?

Although an apprenticeship may seem like a faster way to learn how to become a plumber, some apprenticeship programs are not as fast as trade school programs. For example, in order to apply for a plumbing license in your state, you may need to have a few thousand hours of cumulative educational and work experience.

As an apprentice, it may be difficult to gather the required hours quickly, and apprentices may need to earn more hours than trade school students depending on your state. For that reason, an apprenticeship is not always a faster educational route.

What Are the Benefits of Trade School?

A trade school can be highly beneficial. Not only do trade schools offer flexible programs and financial options, but trade schools can also teach you everything about the plumbing trade from the ground up. This can be particularly important if you don't have any foundational knowledge about plumbing.

Furthermore, trade schools often have partnerships with state-sponsored programs so that you can have access to apprenticeships and work opportunities more easily.

Apply for License

Finally, you will need to apply for your license. In order to qualify for a plumbing license, you will need to show educational transcripts or other proof that you have met the minimum required education and work experience. After you submit your application, your state may also require you to take an examination before you receive your license.

What Do You Need to Earn Your First Plumbing License?

To earn your first plumbing license, you will need to meet several basic requirements set by the laws in your state. For example, many states require that you have between 4,000 and 8,000 hours of cumulative experience, although your trade school education can be counted as credit toward these hours.

You also need to have proof of work experience under a licensed plumber, even if you are a trade school student. For your work experience, it's generally required that you have at least two to four years of practical experience before you can apply for a license.

Which License Do You Need?

The path to becoming a successful plumber may mean that you need to apply for several licenses throughout your career. While an apprentice doesn't necessarily need a license, if you want to further your career opportunities, you must get a journeyman license once you have completed your education and work experience.

After a journeyman license, you will have the opportunity to gain more experience to apply for a contractor's license or even a master's license. Depending on your career goals, such as becoming a small business owner, your state may require you to have a contractor's or master's license to work on certain contracts.

To become a plumber, you must meet several educational and practical experience requirements. For the most part, the path to becoming a plumber will take two to four years for most trade school and apprenticeship programs. Your state will have specific requirements you must meet before you can apply for a plumbing license so that you can work legally in your state. Learn more about becoming a successful plumber when you visit ServiceBox today.

‍