Plumbers working in the state of Arizona must obtain a license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The state has specific requirements for general contractors, which also apply to plumbers.
It requires plumbers to register themselves as a business due to their contractor status. In Arizona, there are two possible plumbing licenses that they can obtain. These include a commercial or a residential plumbing license.
Either way, plumbers must train under a licensed professional. They must start as an apprentice or attend a licensed trade school to gain the experience required.
Once they complete the stage, they must then pass a business management exam. They must also choose any plumbing career trajectory-related exam. After these, they can apply to become a master plumber.
Can contractors from other states work in Arizona?
Arizona does not have license reciprocity with any other state. Therefore, plumbers from outside the state must obtain an Arizona plumbing license.
However, there is only one exception to the rule. If a plumber is married to an active-duty member of the armed forces, they can seek reciprocity. However, there are some requirements that they must meet first.
How to get a plumbing license in Arizona?
As mentioned, plumbers must first start as an apprentice and then move to a journeyman license.
Apprentice Plumbing License
For the plumbing license exams, Arizona requires prospective plumbers to work four years as an apprentice. The state requires them to take 144 hours of classroom education as well as practical work.
Similarly, only workers that are aged 18 or above can apply for the apprentice program. Apprentices must work under the supervision and guidance of a journeyman or a licensed plumber during their work.
Employers also sponsor workers, allowing them to work while earning a paycheck to earn their degree. After graduating and completing the apprentice program, apprentices will receive a nationally recognized certificate.
The certificate will contain details of their work. The Arizona Apprenticeship office can provide more information and guidance for prospective plumbers looking to join the program.
Journeyman Plumbing License
The state of Arizona does not license journeymen directly. Instead, apprentices can get their license through the city of Phoenix.
Phoenix allows prospective journeyman plumbers to take an exam to earn their journeyman license, valid for three years. To get the journeyman plumbing license, apprentice plumbers need the following:
- Proof of apprenticeship or four years of relevant work experience.
- A current picture ID.
- A City of Phoenix application.
The test costs plumbers $100 to take. Plumbers can pay the fee at the test centre. Various testing sites can schedule a test for apprentice plumbers in Phoenix. Apprentices sitting for the exam must obtain 75% or higher to get their journeyman license.
As mentioned, the license expires after three years. After the license expires, they must re-sit the exam. However, for license renewals, they don’t need to get 75% or higher. They can also get a license if they get 70% higher.
The state of Arizona’s plumbing licenses differs with the city of Phoenix. The state does not recognize journeyman plumbers as a level.
Instead, they refer to journeyman license plumbers as someone who has completed the apprentice level requirements. The state also has specialized plumbing licenses, combining solar and a few years of additional work.
Outline of steps to become a licensed plumber in Arizona
As mentioned, the state of Arizona has two levels of plumbing licenses. Prospective plumbers looking to get their licenses from the state need to follow these steps to get it.
- Complete their education. Having good math grades is also helpful in securing the license without additional work.
- Enrol in technical courses. After completing formal education, prospective plumbers must enrol in a technical course. Various public and private programs in the state offer these courses.
- Find an apprenticeship program. Becoming a journeyman, or a licensed plumber in Arizona requires four years of relevant work experience. Therefore, plumbers need to find an apprenticeship program after completing their technical knowledge.
- Register for the exam. The next step is to register for the exam. The easiest way of doing so is through the internet. However, they can also register through the phone or in person.
- Take the exam. After registering for the exam, it is necessary to pass it. As mentioned, getting 75% or higher on the exam is crucial for first-timers. For renewals, the requirements are lower at 70%.
- Apply for the license. After passing the exam, plumbers can get either a residential or a commercial license. They will also need to provide any relevant information necessary to get the license. The fee for the residential license is $320 and $645 for the commercial license.
Summary
Plumbers in Arizona can get a license by following the process below.
- Complete their education.
- Enrol in technical courses.
- Find an apprenticeship program.
- Register for the exam. The next step is to register for the exam.
- Take the exam.
- Apply for the license.