Plumber apprentice training is the training that must be obtained in order to go on to master plumber training and become a master plumber. This training involves several stages in order to reach a level of licensing, which all states require in order to practice plumbing without being under the supervision of a licensed plumber.
Training Process
Plumber apprentice training begins with classroom work, which can either be done online or in a college or tech school classroom. Colleges and tech schools usually offer flexible class schedules so that plumber apprentices can work in the field if they want to while still completing their training in the field. In the classroom, the plumber apprentice learns the math and sciences that he will use daily on the job for fixing problems and planning plumbing systems. He will also learn to read blueprints and schematics for appliances so that he can more easily reach and fix problems he encounters in both homes and offices.
In the field, the plumber apprentice training takes a hands-on approach. The plumber apprentice trains under licensed plumbers of a Journeyman or higher rating. In the field, he learns customer service and also how to work alongside construction teams on new builds. He learns to use both power and hand tools which are required to do all types of plumbing work. The plumber apprentice also learns to cut holes in walls and also to repair them, since that is sometimes required in order to reach and fix leaky pipes. In addition, he gains practice in fixing toilets, showers, sinks and faucets, as well as installing all of those plumbing features.
Once the plumber apprentice has finished at least four thousand hours of training, then he can apply to take the Tradesman licensing exam. The exam has both a written and a practical portion to it. The written portion covers the book learning and the practical portion allows the apprentice to prove his plumber apprenticeship training in that he can handle the tools and supplies that a plumber uses every day. Once that test is passed, then he can choose to operate without the supervision of a higher level plumber. However, the license is limited, so he would not get to take complicated jobs, oversee other workers or get paid the higher salaries of Journeyman or Master plumbers.
A Journeyman license requires that a Tradesman plumber earn another four thousand supervised hours before he is eligible to take the exam. The Master licensing exam requires another year as a Journeyman plumber before being eligible to take the exam.