A plumber’s profession is challenging yet rewarding, and identifying the best cure for a system breakdown or designing an intelligent setup for residential or commercial premises. Most jurisdictions require plumbers to satisfy minimal licensure criteria to safeguard customers and maintain national security, and one of them is Indiana.
Indiana has regulations in effect from the outset of a plumber’s apprenticeship. In Indiana, you must work as an apprentice plumber for at least 3 or 4 before applying for a journeyman license.
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Indiana’s Plumbing Licensing Requirements
In Indiana, doing any repair service without the need for a state-issued license is unlawful. To lawfully join this labor, you must first enroll as an intern. After four years as a trainee carried out under the supervision of a professional plumber, you can seek your journeyman license through an accredited source.
The Indiana Plumbing Commission, which awards and renews interstate plumbing licenses, is supervised by the Indiana Professional Licensing Authority. You may learn more about the laws and norms that guide plumbers in Indiana on the Agency’s website.
Types of plumbing licenses in Indiana
In Indiana, there are several different types of plumbers’ licenses.
The Indiana Plumbing Commission issues the following licenses and registrations:
- Certification of Apprentice Plumbers
- Permit for a Journeyman Installer
- Permission for a Plumbing Technician
Each level of license has its own set of criteria.
Apprentice: The only qualifications to enroll as a piping apprentice are that you be an Indiana citizen, at least 17 years old, and engaged in or have filed for admittance into a commission-approved apprenticeship scheme.
Journeyman Plumber: To pass the Journeyman certification and get licensed, you must be an Indiana citizen, at least 18 years old, and prove to complete at least four years in an authorized internship or be a licensed plumber in another jurisdiction.
Piping Contractor: To take the Contractual quiz and become licensed, you must be an Indiana resident who is at least 18 years old and have done at least four years in an entry-level job endorsed by the committee, be a licensed plumber in another province, or have four years in the construction business under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor.
How to Obtain an Indiana Plumber’s License?
- You should be 17 years old or older and enrolled in an accredited school to be an apprentice.
- A high school education or GED is required for most internships.
- To be eligible for an assessment, you must have had an apprentice license for at least four years and completed at least 576 hours of training education and 6,400 hours of on-the-job instruction.
- If you are enrolling from out of the county, you must include a signed Employer Affidavit of Experience as well as a photocopy of your out-of-state plumbing license.
- Before registering for the Journeyman Plumber or Plumbing Contractor examinations, applicants should have their request for assessment reviewed and confirmed for qualification by the Plumbing Council.
- You should complete a rigorous written test and submit all required costs.
- You can operate as a journeyman under the guidance of a professional contractor for an indeterminate period or function independently with a contractor license.
- If you’ve ever been on probation or are currently in prison, you’ll need to request an order to eliminate or modify your probation terms.
Details on the Indiana Plumber Licensing Exam
Prov has been hired by the Indiana Plumbing Commission to administer their examination program. The Candidate Information Bulletin explains the exam in full and the application process and scheduling processes. You must first fill out an application with the Indiana Plumbing Commission to get started. Online tools are distributed. The IPC will tell you to approach Prov to book your assessment once accepted. You get up to seven attempts to meet those standards during two years; however, you only have one year from your clearance to take the examination for the first year. If you do not sit the test within the first year, you must resubmit.
Schools and Programs for Plumbers in Indiana
Plumbers are in charge of much more than just repairing spills and blockages. They must understand more than simply engineering to create, construct, and refurbish systems that transport liquids or gases. They should also be familiar with the construction regulations. Apprenticeship programs that have been authorized will prepare you for all facets of the plumbing trade. Local unions in Muncie, Merrillville, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other parts of Indiana, the Associated Architects & Craftsmen of Indiana, and the Indiana Plumbing Heating Conditioning Professionals Association provide them. The Bureau of Apprentice and Learning, a branch of the US Department of Labor, has authorized these programs.
Salary of Plumber in Indiana
The yearly mean salary for a plumber in Indiana is $61,480.
Trainee: In Indiana, a trainee contractor earns an average of $17.11 an hr and $5,429 in extra annually.
Journeyman: In Indiana, a journeyman plumber earns a median of $25.69 per hr and $10,331 in extra annually.
Salary varies considerably based on the city in which you operate and other aspects such as training, credentials, supplementary talents, and the number of months you have worked in your field.
Costs
In Indiana, each license class comes with its own set of fees.
Apprenticeship Regular Membership: $10; Apprenticeship Renewal Fee: $10
Fee for a Journeyman License in an Odd Year: $15; Fee for a Journeyman License in an Even Year: $30
$75 for the exam
Fee for Renewal: $30 every two years
Odd-year builder license fee: $50; even-year builder license fee: $100
Examination Fee: $100
Every two years, there is a $100 renewal charge.
Licnese Reciprocity in Indiana
Indiana does not have reciprocity with any other jurisdiction. Instead, you must submit a request and cover the amount to the Commission. The application is then presented to management. You should complete and pass exams if you are accepted.
Certifications in Plumbing
Other credentials might help you show prospective employers and prospects that you’re capable. Nationwide Inspect Training and Credentialing (NITC), International Union of Piping and Mechanic Officials (ASSE Qualifications), and other professional qualifications are not essential. Still, they can help you stand out to potential employers and boost your commercial viability.
License Renewals and Continuing Education
The Plumbing Commission requires all certifications and licenses to be renewed every two years. Renewal letters are mailed about 90 days before the expiration date. The expiration reminder will be issued to license owners with a confirmed email list on record. The renewal notification will be addressed to those who do not have acceptable emails on paper; this reminder will be sent to the mailing address with the Board. The Commission has no method of verifying whether or whether a notification reaches its intended recipient; as a result, when a warning is sent to a legitimate email or mail, the Commission has fulfilled its obligation.
Most license renewals are accessible online 24 hours, seven days per week. It just takes a few minutes to extend your membership electronically, and your renewal will be completed and ready for confirmation the next working day. Renewal fees for plumbing apprentices are $10, journeyman plumbers are $30, and plumbing contractors are $100.
Continuing Education
The jurisdiction of Indiana does not need you to take any continuing education classes to renew your driver’s license. Staying up with evolving codes and tech, on the other hand, is critical.
Insurance for Plumber in Indiana
According to current Next Insurance statistics, small company insurance in Indiana costs a median of $46 monthly.
If a company has one or more plumbing workers, it is obliged by state law to have employees’ adequate insurance coverage. While Indiana law only requires workers’ contingency plans in place, it’s a good idea to think about other options, such as general liability or a company owner’s policy.
Wrapping up
No matter which state you look forward to working in, you’ll need a license, which is issued by either a county or a district-based body. Having a license allows you to apply for various jobs in your state, including large-scale projects like designing plumbing plans.
Obtaining a license from your state’s licensing body is an essential step in a plumber’s profession. It encourages students to learn about the many types of plumbing issues that are widespread in a given state and how to solve them using sophisticated techniques.
