How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Oklahoma – OK?

Oklahoma state is located in the south-central region of the United States. It has nearly 3.98 million population. Hence, it is an excellent opportunity for you to start your plumbing career because it is the largest metropolitan area in Oklahoma, and it contains the state’s capital, Oklahoma City.

Learning any skill can be demanding and hectic. But when you have a license, a stable career is automatically ensured. You can even own a business one day. Having a license will not only help you earn a good livelihood but also promises quality work and permanent employment.

Talking about plumbing skills although it is complicated because it is all about safety. For this purpose, Oklahoma has set standards for becoming a licensed plumber. You have to pass a series of exams and work under the supervision of plumbing contractors to be an active practising plumber.

According to the US Bureau of Labor And Statistics, 490,200 plumbers are nationwide. In comparison, Oklahoma employs 5,920 of them. The employment rate is estimated to be growing 4% from 2019 to 2029 across the country. But Oklahoma has a higher rate which is 11%.

Is It Necessary To Get A License In Oklahoma?

Yes, it is necessary to get a license in Oklahoma to work as a plumber.

Plumbers must gain experience as apprentices, then work their way towards journeyman and finally if they want they can take an exam and become a master plumber.

General Requirements For A Oklahoma Licensed Plumber

Following are the general requirements for A Oklahoma licensed plumber:

  • The age must be 18 or older.
  • Must have a good command of English.
  • The applicant must be fit as plumbing requires weight lifting.
  • Applicant should have two years of experience as an apprentice plumber.
  • Sound and moral character with no criminal background.

Types Of License Available For Plumber In Oklahoma

Following are the three types of licenses available for plumbers in Oklahoma:

  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Contractor
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Apprentice: Apprentice is a beginner who has just started learning to plumb.

Journeyman: Once you complete your apprenticeship requirements and after passing the exam, you can become a licensed journeyman.

Contractor: After years of working under a licensed plumber, you can become a licensed master plumber. You can be a general contractor as well.

The apprentices and journeymen must work under the supervision of an active, licensed plumbing contractor.

Steps For Getting Plumber’s Licence In Oklahoma

  • Your age must be 16.
  • You have to work for an active and licensed plumbing contractor. He will provide direction on the job supervision and then apply for an apprentice registration.
  • You can apply for a plumbing journeyman license through Oklahoma CIB along with                  

cItizenship and application fee of $75.

  • You must be 18 years old when applying for a journeyman license.
  • When your application is approved, and you are eligible for the exam, contact the third-party testing agency to schedule your exam.
  • Pass all of your exams successfully and get your journeyman license.
  • Work for a year as a licensed journeyman.
  • Now, apply for your plumbing contractor license through Oklahoma CIB, including an affidavit of citizenship and pay the fee of $330.
  • For a contractor license, your age must be 19. Also, you must meet the requirements as a journeyman with one year of experience in the plumbing field.
  • Pass all of the exams successfully. Now, for getting your plumbing contractor license, give proof of $5000 Corporate Surety Bond. It is payable to the Oklahoma construction industries board and receives a minimum of $50,000 commercial general liability insurance. Then, you can receive your plumbing contractor license.
  • Spend 6 hours in continuing education classes. Renew your license every three years. The journeyman renewal fee is $75, and the contractor renewal fee is $200.

Benefits of Getting A Plumbers License

You’ll see many benefits by getting a plumbers license in Oklahoma, such as:

  • First and foremost, it is necessary to get a license through the state. In this way, you become a licensed plumber, and you can perform plumbing work.
  • The license is proof of your hard work and skill. Through all those years of study and practice, you get expertise in your job.
  • You can perform the following work only if you are a licensed plumbing contractor: start a business, advertise services, get commercial insurance, handle government and public projects.
  • Having a license boosts your confidence level in your work. This way, you never lose your customers or company.
  • The license ensures you a better salary than other plumbers with no license. It also builds trust between you and your clients.
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How Much Money Does one Spend To Get a Plumber’s License In Oklahoma

It does not cost as much to get started in the plumbing field. If you begin as a helper for a licensed contractor, then register yourself and keep a count of your work hours. Your employer must verify those hours to complete the work experience requirement to help in your further journeyman license.

For a certificate program, you can attend a vocational school or technical or community college too. But keep in mind that employers prefer the ones for jobs who have prior work experience.

You may encounter a fee if you decide to join an apprenticeship. But don’t worry, your employer will cover the amount. You’ll be paid a portion of the journeyman level’s salary. That will increase as you keep learning.

Registering as an apprentice will cost you $25, payable to CIB. The journeyman application costs $75. And the Oklahoma plumbing contractor application will cost you a fee of $330. You might need to spend $100 for the PSl test for either license.

How To Get a Plumber’s License In Oklahoma?

You have to choose from a couple of paths to begin your career as a licensed plumber. Either attend a community college or get an associate degree in Applied science. There also lies the option of completing a shorter certificate program at any technical college. The primary aim is to acquire knowledge that is related to plumbing.

The subjects typically involve:

  1. Maths
  2. Algebra
  3. Geometry
  4. Basic sciences
  5. Blueprint reading or drafting

Another way to begin is through apprenticeship. It is a combined process of gaining knowledge and training together. This way, it can take 4 to 5 years.

Register Yourself As An Apprentice:

It would be best if you were 16 years old to register with Oklahoma CIB. There is an affidavit verifying your presence in the US. You’ll have to pay a $25 fee.

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Applying For journeyman license:

Anyone applying for a plumbing journeyman license needs to be at least 18 years old and have work experience of 3 years.

You’ll again have to verify your lawful presence through an affidavit. The fee is $75.

Give Licensing Exam for journeyman:

When your application is approved, you can give the exam. The information of the third-party testing vendor will be provided to you. They will set the time, date and location of the exam. On passing your exam, you will receive a journeyman license.

Applying For Contractor License:

Anyone applying for a contractor license needs to be 19 years old. The requirements are the same as a journeyman but with an additional year of experience in the plumbing field.

Licensing Exam:

When your licensed application is approved, you are eligible for examination. A third-party testing vendor will tell you the date, time and location of the exam. You’ll need to take a business, law and trade exam.

Salary Of A Licensed Plumber In Oklahoma

It is believed that plumbers have a low salary, but that is wrong. A plumber’s salary has a direct relation with his experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for a plumber is $53,790. It may increase based on your experience.

Salary also depends on additional skills, experience, education, certificates and professionalism.

Plumbing License Reciprocity In Oklahoma

Oklahoma doesn’t have any reciprocity agreements with other states. But if you apply by reciprocity, the board will determine whether the state where you are licensed has similar licensing requirements. The board may still take a trade exam before granting you a journeyman license.

The ones applying for a contractor license, even if you meet the requirements for journeyman license, you still need to pass the Oklahoma plumbing contractor business and law business of full contractor examination.

Training Programs for Plumbers In Oklahoma

Plumbers do a lot more than just fixing leaks or clogs. They must know more than just mechanics. Plumbers must be well aware of the art of designing, installing and renovating systems that carry liquids and gases.

Few colleges in Oklahoma offer plumbing programs and training programs too. Mid-Del Technology Center, located in Midwest City, OK, proposes a certificate program in plumbing technology.

Mid-Del Technology Center is on it along with Tulsa Technology in Tulsa. Autry Technology Center in Enid, Associated Builders and Contractors in Tulsa and Lexington Careertech Skills Center in Lexington and Alva.

License renewal

You have to complete six hours of getting an education through a provider. Renew your license every three years by using an online application. The journeyman renewal fee is $75, while the contractor renewal fee is $200.

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