Alaska is one of the highest-paying states for construction and extraction works. It is a great option for professional contractors to earn a decent living from working in the state.
Contractors also get compensated for working in demanding weather conditions and have an increased cost of living. Plumbers are also a part of these contractors.
However, not everyone can start working as a plumber in Alaska on their own. They need a plumbing license first. There are different levels of plumbing licenses in Alaska. Plumbers can start working as apprentices, under mentors or supervisors.
Then they can become a journeyman, where they can do more advanced plumbing work. Finally, they can get a master plumbing license.
Can licensed contractors from other states work in Alaska?
Alaska does not have license reciprocity with any other states. States that have such agreements allow licensed contractors from other states to work without obtaining a new license. However, that does not apply for Alaska. Any plumber or contractor that wants to work in Alaska must get a license.
How to get a plumbing license in Alaska?
Alaska allows plumbers the option of getting a license based on their experience and education. There are three levels of plumbing licenses.
The state of Alaska provides master license workers with an option to get a specialized license based on their preference. However, every plumber must first start as an apprentice.
Apprentice plumbing license
When working as a plumber in Alaska, workers must start as an apprentice. There are various vocational programs, community colleges, professional organizations or even the military through which the state offers apprenticeships.
Each of these has different terms. For apprentice plumbing license, it is necessary to consider the requirements for their respective option.
In general, some requirements will stay common. Therefore, Alaska plumbing licenses require apprentices to:
Have a
- high school diploma or GED.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Have competent math skills. The state may either have its own test or consider the worker’s high school math grades.
The vocational program or community college through which the worker gets their license may also provide jobs for apprentice plumbers.
Journeyman plumbing license
Once an apprentice has enough relevant experience to be considered competent, they can get a journeyman license.
However, the requirements for obtaining the journeyman license are higher. Apprentices must pass a journeyman exam before getting the license.
The exam has five sections that represent various areas of plumbing work. It is a 4-hour exam that every apprentice must take.
The cost to take the test is $50. Individuals who pass the exam must pay an additional $200 fee for the license, valid for two years. After two years, they must retake the exam to renew the certificate.
Apprentices must also fulfil the following to apply for the journeyman plumbing license:
- Have 8,000 hours of experience.
- Have documented proof of that experience, notarized by their employer, the Alaskan Department of Labor or an Alaska-based union.
- Obtain at least a 70% on each section of the Plumbing Journeyman Exam.
- Complete the application for a Certificate of Fitness.
Additional certification
For experienced plumbers, the state provides the option to get three additional certifications. Two of them concern a Certificate of Fitness, a certification given to professionals in different tiers. There are further certifications available to experienced plumbers. These include the plumber gas certificate of fitness, plumber utility certificate of fitness and plumbing contractor license.
Plumber Gas Certificate of Fitness
The plumber gas certificate of fitness allows plumbers to work on commercial fuel gas piping. They must fulfil the following to get the license:
- Have 4,000 hours of experience, including 2,000 hours experience related to installing fuel gas piping.
- Obtain at least 70% on the Certificate of Fitness exam.
- Pay $50 to take the test.
- Pay $200 for the license once they pass the test.
Plumber Utility Certificate of Fitness
The plumber utility certificate of fitness allows plumbers to install water and sewage piping, and storm drains. For this certificate, plumbers need to:
- Have 1,000 hours of experience installing water and sewage piping or storm drains.
- Get at least a 70% on the Certificate of Fitness PU exam.
- Pay $50 to take the test.
- Pay $200 for the license once they pass the test.
Plumber Contractor License
The plumber contractor license is for plumbers that want to start their plumbing work or obtain independent contracts. For plumbing, they will need a mechanical contractor license. They will require the following:
- A completed application.
- Have a $10,000 surety bond, issued by a surety company or an insurer.
- Workers’ compensations provided by a private Alaska licensed insurance company if the business has any employees.
- Present a certificate of insurance covering at least $20,000 for property damages, $50,000 for injury or death of a person and $100,000 for the injury or deaths of multiple people.
- $100 application fee.
- $250 license fee.
Summary
Here’s a summary of the requirements for plumbers getting a plumbing license in Alaska.
Apprentice
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Competent math skills. The state may either have its own test or consider the worker’s high school math grades.
Journeyman
- 8,000 hours of experience.
- Present documented proof of their experience, notarized by their employer, the Alaskan Department of Labor or an Alaska-based union.
- Get at least a 70% on each section of the Plumbing Journeyman Exam.
- Present a completed application for a Certificate of Fitness.
Additional certifications
Plumber Gas Certificate of Fitness
- Have 4,000 hours of experience, including 2,000 hours experience related to installing fuel gas piping.
- Get at least 70% on the Certificate of Fitness exam.
- $50 to take the test.
- $200 for the license once they pass the test.
Plumber Utility Certificate of Fitness
- Have 1,000 hours of experience installing water and sewage piping or storm drains.
- At least a 70% on the Certificate of Fitness PU exam.
- $50 to take the test.
- $200 for the license once they pass the test.
Plumber Contractor License
- A completed application.
- Present a $10,000 surety bond, issued by a surety company or an insurer.
- Workers’ compensations provided by a private Alaska licensed insurance company if the business has any employees.
- Present a certificate of insurance covering at least $20,000 for property damages, $50,000 for injury or death of a person and $100,000 for the injury or deaths of multiple people.
- $100 application fee.
- $250 license fee.