How can I train as a plumber?

Answer 1

In most states to become a licensed plumber you need to train as an apprentice. Generally, most trade unions, if your state is unionized, offer programs for apprenticeships. Depending on the state, after so long in apprenticeship you can apply for licensing, thereby becoming a licensed plumber.

Answer 2

I see we have the Americans answering questions on a UK site again. Why don't they go away. Their answers are useless to us.
You don't give your age, which could be critical. Contact your local plumbing firms to see if they are taking on any apprentices or improvers. If you can get a job with a company, they are normally more than wiling to send you to college to train. It is far easier to learn a trade if you are working with experienced tradesman and doing a day release course at college.Contacting the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers may help in finding a firm.

Answer 3

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters enter into the profession in a variety of ways. Most residential and industrial plumbers get their training in career and technical schools and community colleges and from on-the-job training. Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters who work mainly for commercial enterprises are usually trained through formal apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeship programs generally provide the most comprehensive training available for these jobs. They are administered by either union locals and their affiliated companies or by nonunion contractor organizations. Organizations that sponsor apprenticeships include: the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada; local employers of either the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, or the National Fire Sprinkler Association; the Associated Builders and Contractors; the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors; the American Fire Sprinkler Association, or the Home Builders Institute of the National Association of Home Builders.

Apprenticeships—both union and nonunion—consist of 4 or 5 years of on-the-job training, in addition to at least 144 hours per year of related classroom instruction. Classroom subjects include drafting and blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics and chemistry, safety, and local plumbing codes and regulations. On the job, apprentices first learn basic skills, such as identifying grades and types of pipe, using the tools of the trade, and safely unloading materials. As apprentices gain experience, they learn how to work with various types of pipe and how to install different piping systems and plumbing fixtures. Apprenticeship gives trainees a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the trade. Although most pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are trained through apprenticeship, some still learn their skills informally on the job.

Applicants for union or nonunion apprentice jobs must be at least 18 years old and in good physical condition. Apprenticeship committees may require applicants to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Armed Forces training in pipelaying, plumbing, and pipefitting is considered very good preparation. In fact, persons with this background may be given credit for previous experience when entering a civilian apprenticeship program. Secondary or postsecondary courses in shop, plumbing, general mathematics, drafting, blueprint reading, computers, and physics also are good preparation.

Although there are no uniform national licensing requirements, most communities require plumbers to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary from area to area, but most localities require workers to pass an examination that tests their knowledge of the trade and of local plumbing codes.

With additional training, some pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters become supervisors for mechanical and plumbing contractors. Others, especially plumbers, go into business for themselves, often starting as a self-employed plumber working from home. Some eventually become owners of businesses employing many workers and may spend most of their time as managers rather than as plumbers. Others move into closely related areas such as construction management or building inspection.

Answer 4

check with your local State Board of Plumbing Examiners...different for every state...for example in Texas

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners in Autin, TX
512-936-5200
URL: www.tsbpe.state.tx.us

Answer 5

you can come round here and unblock a bathroom sink that just goes glug-glug-glug and not much else. Mr. GorgeousFluffpot has been promising to do it for AGES !!!!!
Please ... hurry round. A fluffy kiss awaits you !