In Kansas, there are no license requirements at the state level; however, in order to become a licensed plumber in Kansas, you will need to get a local license which varies from one county to another.
In this article, we cover how to become a licensed plumber in Kansas which start from the apprenticeship as well as journeyman plumber and class DP plumbing license. So let get started!
Table of Contents
Basic Knowledge
In Kansas, in order to apply for the apprenticeship, you must have a high college diploma or GED. The work of the apprenticeship involves using a substantial amount of mathematics and science with plumbing work. In addition, if you are familiar with the drafting and blueprint, it would be a leg up to be an apprentice.
Technical Training
In Kansas, there is no college degree requirement in order to become a professional plumber. However, you will need to complete 280 hours of classroom instruction annually for up to 5 years during the apprenticeship as well as the on-the-job training you will receive during the apprenticeship period.
What Work Can Be Done Without a Plumbing License?
As mentioned above, in Kansas, a plumber is not required to have a license to work at the state level. However, the plumber required a local license in which they plan to work to become a plumber in Kansas. There are some works that can be done without a license in Kansas. There is the installation of plumbing lines and fixtures in new construction in order to repair the old buildings; however, these would need a local license.
How to Get a Plumbing License in Kansas?
Apprenticeship
In order to be an apprentice you must be committed in the five-year apprenticeship program.
Aspiring applicants should visit their local Workforce Center through the application period to fill out the application form. Below are some of the requirements:
- Bring a valid School C driver’s license.
- Bring a copy of your high school diploma or GED with a certified sealed (unopened) copy of your transcripts.
- Bring a copy of the birth certificate or proof of citizenship
- Complete a Workkeys test. This can take 4 hours to complete and you must make an appointment ahead of time.
- Pass a drug screen
You will be sent a certified letter upon completing the application process. This certified letter includes the specific date and time of the interview.
Then, you will receive a second letter with the ranking among the pool of applicants. The lower the ranking, the higher chance of getting the apprenticeship. If you are successful, then you will be called up and given a job and this is expected to start in early June.
Journeyman Plumbing License
After fulfilling the requirements of the apprenticeship, you are now eligible to apply for the journeyman plumber. In Kansas, there is no state-level license; therefore the journeyman license is governed by each local county. In the later section below, we cover the plumber license in Topeka/Shawnee County, Wichita/Sedgwick County, and Overland Park/Johnson County.
Journeyman Plumbing License in Topeka/Shawnee County
In Topeka, there are certain requirements in order to become a journeyman plumber. After fulfilling the apprenticeship requirements, you can now apply for the journeyman plumber license. Below are the requirements to get the journeyman plumbing license in Topeka/Shawnee County:
- You need to fill out the application form
- Pay the application fee of $53
- You need to pass the journeyman exam with a minimum score of 75%
- In case you are certified by the International Code Council (ICC) and want to get the journeyman plumbing license in Topeka/Shawnee County, you have to take the exam and show proof of certification.
Upon fulfilling the above requirements, now you are a licensed journeyman plumber and can provide plumbing service in Topeka/Shawnee County.
Journeyman Plumbing License in Wichita/Sedgwick County
Similar to Shawnee County above, after you complete the requirements of apprenticeship, you are now eligible to apply for a journeyman plumbing license in Wichita/Sedgwick County. In order to become a licensed journeyman plumber in Wichita/Sedgwick County, you need to fulfill the below requirements:
- One year of field experience and one year of education; or
- Two years of work experience
- Passed IAPMO or ICC exam with at least 75% score
- Complete and submit the application form
- Pay the application fee of $35
- Attach a copy of the exam result
- A copy of trade school transcripts if necessary
- Proof of experience in plumbing
After fulfilling the above-mentioned requirements, now you are a licensed journeyman plumber and are able to provide any plumbing service in Wichita/Sedgwick County.
Class DP Plumbing License in Overland Park/Johnson County
For those who live in Overland Park/Johnson County and wish to apply for the class DP plumbing license, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete and submit the original signed application form. This needs to be submitted or mailed to the office;
- Pay a one-off application fee of $100 together with a license fee of $225;
- Provide proof of general liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance
- Establish the qualifying individual who:
- Has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Science, or Construction Management from an ABET or ACCE accredited program. For Landscape Architecture degrees, it does not qualify to apply. You need to provide an official transcript in order to provide proof of the degree qualification.
- With a minimum of 75% of certified test score on a standard examination as approved by the Contractor License Review Board
- Provide documentary evidence of the qualifying individual’s experience
- Qualified Individual and company owner need to be confirmed the identity with a government-issued photo I.D
- Need to provide a digital photo of the qualifying individual
- Provide evidence of good standing if it is a corporate entity.
Kansas License Reciprocity
Kansas does not have any reciprocity arrangement with any other states. Therefore, if you have a license from other states, you cannot be able to work in Kansas unless you obtain the Kansas license.
Kansa License Renewal
In most counties in Kansas, the annual renewal of a plumbing license is $225. It is advisable that if you wish to renew your license, you can visit the office in person and show your existing license. Once you have paid the renewal fee, your Kansas plumbing license will become valid for another year.
Insurance for Plumbing in Kansas
In order to work as a plumber in Kansas, you need to have general liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance.
Apprentice Jobs in Kansas
It would help if you research apprenticeship Jobs locally. However, it is vital to understand that apprenticeships are often time competitive. Therefore, you should consider searching for any potential job as soon as you can. You can search through online resources; for instance by using Indeed.com. These online resources and help you to find the best apprenticeship opportunity for you. Below are some of the example of the apprenticeships
Pinnacle Plumbing Company (LLC)
5912 Maple St. Misson, KS 66202
First construction LLC
901 New Hampshire St# 201 Lawrence, KS 66044
TATRO Plumbing
1285 Acraway 300, Garden City, KS 67846
Salary of Plumber
- The average plumber earning is $19.64 per hour.
- Experience plumber in Kansas can earn $25 to $30 an hour
- The average Plumber salary is $54,455
*Amount depends on the level of education and experience of the plumber
