The state of Montana requires you to complete several years of education, training, and pass exams to become a licensed plumber. It’s just like other professions, including an electrician or a general contractor. In fact, after earning your license, it’s your job to get continuous education about the latest trends and technology to keep yourself updated and maintain your license.
While it takes years, the process isn’t complicated. If you want to become a plumber, you should enroll in an apprenticeship program and receive theoretical and practical training. After learning, you can become a journeyman plumber. To level up to master plumber in Montana, you must continue working under the supervision of a master plumber for four years.
More so, it’s illegal to work without an issued license by the Montana Board of Plumbers. This board is in-charge of all plumbing and licensing-related activity in the state. Similarly, you won’t be able to get a license without passing the examination. In fact, you need to take a small exam to renew your license every year. To do so, it’s mandatory to learn new things and work on your craft side by side.
Don’t get stressed or frustrated after reading that it will take several years to become a master plumber. But, keep in mind that the plumbing industry has a production of growing by 13% by the end of 2028. So, it’s worth taking the time. Want to learn more about licensing? Let’s find out how to become a licensed plumber in Montana.
Table of Contents
Step By Step Journey To Become a Licensed Master Plumber in Montana:
Get a High School Diploma or GED:
In Montana, you need to be 18 years old and hold a GED or a high school diploma to enter any profession. It’s not restricted to plumbing only.
Basic education in science, math, and computers is a plus. As a licensed plumber, you will mostly work on blueprints, measurements, specifications, and angles. So, having solid knowledge of these subjects can help you understand the science of plumbing better.
Vocational and Additional Training
You can enroll in vocational training to become a plumber in Montana. Well, it’s not essential to must possess a college degree to get your license, but vocational training will get your basics clear and enable you to get advanced knowledge about plumbing.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements In Montana:
Plumbers in Montana don’t have to be apprentices in order to become licensed. Even so, it is an excellent way to earn a steady income, network professionally, and gain the experience needed to apply for a journeyman’s license.
Similarly, apprenticeships mostly last five years in MT. In these programs, you will learn how to tackle daily plumbing and maintenance jobs. It includes;
- Identifying leaks,
- Bending pipes,
- Measuring equipment,
- Repairing leaks,
- Give a cost estimation to clients,
- Read blueprints,
- Use the right equipment for the specific job.
Journeyman Plumber License Requirements In Montana:
In 2019, the Montana Code Annotated that a licensed journeyman plumber has the authority to “install all the sanitary plumbing and water supply piping and manage all appliances related to plumbing and piping.” Moreover, it’s the lower rank of the two licensed plumber’s classification. And it requires less hands-on experience to become one.
Anyone can become a journeyman plumber if they meet the following requirements. It includes;
- Successful completion of apprenticeship program by an accredited trade school by the state of Montana or the US Department of Labor. Or a hands-on, on-site experience of 5 years, equivalent to 7,500 hours working under a master plumber.
- Pass journeyman plumber wrote and practical exam in Montana by 70% or higher marks in both portions.
License Requirements:
- Application form
- $100 application processing fee
- $170 license fee
- Experience Verification Affidavit
- Copy of your Apprenticeship Completion Certificate
- Verification of Licensure form
You must get application approval from the Montana Board of Plumbers before taking the journeyman exam. Also, you can submit your Journeyman Plumber Application via the license portal or mail via the U.S. Postal Service.
Master Plumber License Requirements In Montana:
The same Montana Code 2019 defines that a master plumber is the highest rank a plumber could achieve. Similarly, a master plumber is a person who can “place bid on contracts, plan, estimate the total cost of maintenance, supervise journeyman plumbers, and hire other plumbers to form a company. ”
Just like the journeyman, a master plumber must meet specific criteria in order to get their license. It includes;
- A working experience and track record of services in the plumbing industry as a journeyman plumber for over three years. Or they are working under the supervision of a master plumber for straight four years as a journeyman.
- Successfully pass the written and practical exam for a master plumber in Montana with a grade over 70% – the more, the better.
License Requirements:
The license requirement for the master is similar to journeyman license requirements but is slightly different in fees and experience only. They are;
- Application form
- $100 application processing fee
- $280 license fee
- Experience Verification Affidavit
- Copy of your Apprenticeship Completion Certificate
- Verification of Licensure form
You must get application approval from the Montana Board of Plumbers before taking the master plumber exam. Also, you can submit your Master Plumber Application and necessary documents via the license portal or mail via the U.S. Postal Service.
Master Plumber and Journeyman Plumber Exam In Montana:
The journeyman plumbing exam in Montana has also changed to be administered by IAMPO. There are no prerequisites for either exam, but the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code and the Montana Amendments are included. The exam is also available in-person and online, but a score of 70% is required to pass and meet the license eligibility criteria.
Similarly, if you fail to pass the practical exam, you may retake it soon. The board may also issue a temporary journeyman or master plumber license if you’ve scored between 67% – 69% and you’re ready to retake the exam immediately.
Aside from this, it doesn’t matter which license you have because you’ve to renew your license annually. More so, licenses expire every year on September 1, and you can start the renewal process 60 days before the expiration date.
Before you can renew your license, you must also complete four hours of continuing education each year. The Board of Plumber’s website includes a general licensing portal for completing your courses and renewing your license.
Insurance for Plumbers in Montana
All licensed plumbers must have insurance in the state of Montana to work. As you know, to err is human; it doesn’t matter how much experience you have, you can still make mistakes. With Montana plumber insurance, you are protected from mistakes and professional liabilities. Here are the minimum requirements:
- $300,000 insurance for damage to client’s property (individual occurrence)
- $100,000 insurance for general liabilities (individual occurrence)
It is recommended to get insured before bidding on your first plumbing job. Property damage claims and professional malpractice are covered by general liability insurance. You may pay $671 to $1,740 each year for insurance.
Those who work as Montana plumbers deal with contaminated water and human waste that is contaminated with harmful bacteria. For individuals in the plumbing industry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccinations against Polio, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid Fever, and Hepatitis B.
Plumbing License Reciprocity In The State Of Montana:
Surprisingly, Montana has license reciprocity agreements with four states;
- Idaho
- Oregon
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
On the other hand, only journeyman license reciprocity is available in MT – only active license without any damage or other complaints against them. All in all, you just can’t start work directly if you’re moving from another state to Montana. You must apply for a state-specific license before starting.
The basic requirements for the license are;
- basic application
- Previous state license
- All certifications
- Verification of experience
- $300 reciprocity fee.
- $100 application fee
You can send the required documents by mail or online at;
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
