If you’re a young aspirant or someone who is tired of their low-paying job and want to have a raise in their life, then the plumbing industry may be the best for you. For reasons like job security, highest median earning, it’s the best industry. In fact, the median pay of a New Jersey plumber is a secured $71,370/year – it’s more than $20,000 higher than the national median.
Everyone could say it’s the top industry to join. And, why would anyone not join this $105 billion plumbing industry?
As you know, any general contractor or construction worker must follow the state and country rules and steps prior to becoming a licensed worker. Same as here, to become a plumber in N.J., you’ll require several years of training, training proof, in-field experience under a master plumber, and above all, a license to become a contractor or master plumber.
More so, you should register for an apprenticeship or get yourself trained from a trade school to meet the requirements of a journeyman plumber and start earning more. All in all, if you’ve chosen to become a skilled and licensed plumber, cheers! It could be the best decision of your life and career.
Keep in mind that New Jersey plumbers enjoy some of the highest wages across the nation. Another thing, you only need a license when you’re at the level of becoming a master plumber.
Today, we’ll discuss how to become a licensed plumber in New Jersey – NJ. And how you can start your plumbing career to earn more than others. Let’s take a closer look at becoming a plumber.
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Types Of Plumbing Licenses In New Jersey
As stated above, you only require a license when you’re at the level to become a master plumber. Unlike other states in the country, journeymen and apprentices don’t need a license because they’re meant to be learning stages.
In these initial stages, you should work under a licensed master plumber, so you can show your work experience to the State Board Of Examiners and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to acquire your own license.
How Do I Get A Plumbing License In New Jersey?
You can grab the master plumber rank {license} in two different ways – start as an apprentice or a journeyman plumber and work for 1 year to become a master. Or, you can visit a trade school and receive a degree in mechanical engineering or sanitary engineering, work for a full year as a journeyman plumber, and apply for a Master’s license.
It’s solely dependent on your decision. You can learn for a year in a trade college or work for a full year to become a master plumber. Both ways, you’ll be able to learn basic and advanced plumbing codes, know-how to use tools, get experience.
Similarly, there are a few basic requirements to earn a journeyman plumber level. And, they are;
- Two 2 by 2 inches portrait pictures taken recently
- Work and educational experience as told previously
- Your social security number
To get it quickly, you could provide a certificate in public safety or show your work portfolio under a licensed master.
How To Become a Master Plumber In NJ?
As previously told, you should be an apprentice or a journeyman already in order to become a master plumber. If you’re compliant with this, here’s what you need to know to become a licensed plumber in New Jersey;
- You must be 21+ years old.
- Receive working approval from the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers
- Have 4 years working experience as an apprentice or one-year working experience as a journeyman.
- If not, you should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, or there is another possibility. You could get a master plumber if you have authentic proof of working under a master plumber for a year.
- No criminal background
- Pass trade, business and law, and practical plumbing exams
- Pay a $3,000 bond for license / insurance.
Is There Any Fee?
So, if you’ve now decided to become a plumber, it’s time to get yourself engaged in an apprenticeship program. It’s easy; you can do this through the U.S. Department of labor. In fact, here’s the complete list of available opportunities to tackle.
Talking about the fee, the application to apply for a journeyman license is $50 – the fee for a master plumber license application is $100 bucks only. Similarly, you can get an application quickly from the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Work You Can Do With These Licenses:
Journeyman Plumber: A person who can install, alter, repair, renovate plumbing in accordance with the standards and not damage the household. The person has a legal work license by the board and can work under a licensed master plumber.
Master Plumber: A person who has enough experience under supervision, and as an apprentice, and someone who is licensed pursuant and has the qualification, training, enough experience, and knowledge regarding plumbing. And, in accordance with the standards, rules, and regulations established by the State Board, a master plumber should be able to properly plan, layout, install and repair plumbing apparatus and equipment.
Plumbing Schools And Courses In New Jersey:
National Career Institute:
An educational program is available from the National Career Institute for plumber’s assistants, including 320 hours of training. It includes classroom and hands-on training.
Students who are new to the plumbing trade learn the skills necessary to become journeymen during the course. Students learn to cut and weld pipes, maintain drainage systems, maintain hydraulics, and other plumbing systems.
Eastwick Education
A Plumber Apprenticeship program is available through Eastwick Education, which provides a nine-month daytime program or an 18-month evening program.
You can select a training program to get your hands dirty in the plumbing industry. The National Career Institute would lead you to a journeyman plumber level. At the same time, the Eastwick education would cover the basics and guide you through an Apprenticeship.
What Are the Insurance Requirements for the New Jersey Master Plumber License?
A licensed plumber, especially independent plumbers, must have health and disability insurance. Similarly, if you’re working under an organization, your employer’s concern is to entertain these benefits. In contrast, an independent should have suitable insurance on their own.
Other than that, plumbers should have a liability insurance bond in case of damage to customers’ property and their own equipment insurance. Lastly, a New Jersey plumber must be fit because many tasks include heavy lifting and cramped spaces.
How Does A New Jersey Master Plumber Renew Their License?
In the state of New Jersey, every plumber must renew their license after every two years. And, the renewal fee for the permit is $150. In fact, Master Plumber receives mail 60 days prior to their license expiration date.
For the renewal, everyone should take part in 5 hours of continuing education, which mostly includes training about the latest tools and technology. An interesting fact is, the New Jersey Master Plumber License expires on 30th June of every odd-numbered year like (217, 2019, etc.), and as told earlier, must be renewed to continue working.
What Is New Jersey Master Plumber Bond?
The State and Board Of Division of New Jersey require you to sign a surety bond. You will have to sign this with the application process to become a master plumber. Sincerely, the bond just ensures that your client will receive compensation for financial harm if you fail to provide 100% satisfaction or you have done some damage to their property.
Basically, the bond is an insurance policy that protects the public if the plumber breaks the licensing laws.
Conclusion:
It’s better to think out of the box and get into the plumbing industry if you have a passion and want to earn more than a median salary of an average citizen. Additionally, wages for journeymen or master plumbers in New Jersey range from $32.89 per hour to $17 per hour based upon their level of education and certification.
