Kentucky has a license requirement for general contractors, plumbers, and electricians. Contractors must, therefore, obtain their licenses before starting their work. The licensure procedure is relatively straightforward.
Most general contracting licenses have simple processes, as the state controls the licensure process. Similarly, Kentucky does not delegate authority to each city or country, unlike some other states.
Can licensed contractors from other states work in Kentucky?
Some states within the United States have license reciprocity with other states. It allows licensed workers from these states to work in other states without obtaining a license.
Kentucky does not have such an agreement with any other state. However, it does allow licensed contractors from outside to work without getting a new license.
Kentucky considers every request from licensed contractors individually. Kentucky’s Plumbing Code Committee determines whether the other state’s exam is of equal difficulty to Kentucky’s plumbing exam.
After the approval, the licensed contractor can receive a Kentucky plumbing license. However, the other state must also agree to the reciprocity.
How to get a plumbing license in Kentucky?
There are three levels of plumbing licenses in Kentucky that plumbers can get. These include the apprentice, journeyman, and master plumbing licenses.
Plumbers must go through each stage to reach the higher plumbing license. Similarly, plumbers must satisfy each of these requirements to obtain the license.
Apprentice Plumbing License
Plumbers must start with an apprentice plumbing license to work in the field. As mentioned, plumbers from other states can skip this level if the state allows them reciprocity.
However, prospective plumbers must begin as an apprentice. Likewise, plumbers must join state-approved apprenticeships only to move to higher plumbing licenses.
An apprentice plumber license is for plumbers who want to undergo the necessary training to start plumbing.
They can only work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber. Usually, apprentices must obtain at least two years of relevant experience to move to the next license.
However, they can use a state-approved college course as an alternative for one of the two years.
Journeyman Plumbing License
The next level for apprentices is to get the journeyman plumbing license. The requirements for this level of plumbing license in Kentucky are higher.
However, there are various benefits to becoming a journeyman. A journeyman can do more advanced plumbing tasks. However, they must still work under a master plumber’s direct supervision.
The requirements for apprentices to get a journeyman plumbing license are as follows.
- Plumbers must complete two years of consecutive experience as apprentice plumbers. However, they can use a committee-approved course as a substitute for one year of experience.
- They must provide proof of their experience.
- They must complete the designated exam with an overall score of at least 75%. Similarly, plumbers must get at least 70% for each section in the exam.
- They must have general liability insurance of at least $250,000.
- They must be a citizen or be authorized to work in the US.
- They must be of good moral character.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
The State Plumbing Examining Committee administers the plumbing journeyman exam. The exam consists of a practical and written portion. The exam checks a candidate’s knowledge of necessary plumbing procedures and standards.
Plumbers must pay an exam fee of $50 and a license fee of $60 to the Division of Plumbing within the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction.
Master Plumbing License
The master plumbing license allows journeyman plumbers to work on all plumbing contracts. The state has no limitations to what master plumbers can work on or perform related to plumbing.
Similarly, master plumbers don’t need any supervision or direction. Also, they can supervise both journeyman and apprentice plumbers.
The requirements to obtain a master plumbing license in Kentucky are as follows.
- Plumbers must have a valid journeyman plumbing license for at least two of the previous five years.
- They must have actively worked as a journeyman plumber for at least two years.
- They must provide proof of their experience.
- They must complete the designated exam with an overall score of at least 80%. Similarly, plumbers must get at least 70% for each section in the exam.
- They must have general liability insurance of at least $250,000.
- They must be a citizen or be authorized to work in the US.
- They must be of good moral character.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
Plumbers must also pay an exam fee of $150 and a license fee of $250 to the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction.
Summary
Below is a summary of the requirements for obtaining plumbing licenses in Kentucky.
Apprentice
- They must be a citizen or be authorized to work in the US.
- They must be of good moral character.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
Journeyman
- Plumbers must complete two years of consecutive experience as apprentice plumbers. However, they can use a committee-approved course as a substitute for one year of experience.
- They must provide proof of their experience.
- They must complete the designated exam with an overall score of at least 75%. Similarly, plumbers must get at least 70% for each section in the exam.
- They must have general liability insurance of at least $250,000.
- They must be a citizen or be authorized to work in the US.
- They must be of good moral character.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
Master
- Plumbers must have a valid journeyman plumbing license for at least two of the previous five years.
- They must have actively worked as a journeyman plumber for at least two years.
- They must provide proof of their experience.
- They must complete the designated exam with an overall score of at least 80%. Similarly, plumbers must get at least 70% for each section in the exam.
- They must have general liability insurance of at least $250,000.
- They must be a citizen or be authorized to work in the US.
- They must be of good moral character.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
References
- “Division of Plumbing” – https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=337
- “Plumbing Licensing Examination” – https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=343
- “Kentucky Plumbing Law, Regulations and Code” – https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=342
- “Licensing Forms” – https://dhbc.ky.gov/new_docs.aspx?cat=150
- “Kentucky Plumbing Exams” – https://www.tests.com/Kentucky-Plumbing-License-Exam