Knowledge and qualifications are essential requirements to work as a trade professional in Arkansas. Thankfully, both of these credentials are sufficiently proven by the possession of a license. Professional contractors, including plumbers, are required to possess a license before they can trade professionally. So, how does one become licensed in the state of Arkansas?
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Types of Arkansas Plumber Licenses
The state of Arkansas offers different types of plumbing licenses to applicants based on their qualifications. There are three main levels of licensure including:
- Apprentice Registration
- Journeyman License
- Master License
For applicants seeking to be general contractors, they must acquire a Contractor’s License. This document is usually issued by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
If you need a license to perform plumbing work on a project in the state of Arkansas, you must acquire a Trade License either a licensed journeyman or master plumber.
Steps to Get Your Arkansas Plumber License
In order to receive a plumbing license in the state of Arkansas, eligible applicants must fulfil the following:
- Applicants must be 16 years old or older.
- Applicants must follow the due process (i.e. Apprenticeship, Journeyman, and then a Master’s License). In the state of Arkansas, an Apprentice is defined as any individual, other than a master plumber or journeyman, who is enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program and engages in learning and assisting in the installation of drainage and plumbing systems.
- Eligible applicants must establish a record of apprenticeship. To do this, an apprentice plumber must register first with the US Department of Labor—Office of Apprenticeship, Local Apprenticeship Committee, and the Department of Health within thirty days of commencement of work as an apprentice.
- Upon fulfilling the above requirements, an apprentice must complete an accumulated four years of experience as a registered apprentice. Afterward, such an apprentice is qualified to pay the Journeyman licensing exam fees and register for a Journeyman Plumber’s License.
- Once the Journeyman Plumber Application is approved by the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners, eligible applicants must sit for and pass the journeyman examinations. The journeyman license is awarded to successful candidates upon fulfilling all prior prerequisites. In the state of Arkansas, a journeyman plumber is defined as any individual, other than a master plumber, who engages in the “practical installation” of plumbing systems and services.
- Successful journeymen licensors are allowed a period of one year to practice as journeymen. Afterward, candidates would have amassed a total working experience of five years. Therefore, they can apply for a Master Plumber’s License, and pay for the master plumber exams upon successful approval of their application.
- Once successful Master Plumber applicants have been approved by the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners, they must sit for and pass the master plumber exam. In the state of Arkansas, a master plumber is defined as any individual who possesses the skill of practical installation, planning, or superintending in plumbing, and is also familiar with the regulations and laws governing the trade/service.
- Upon successful completion of the master plumber examinations, eligible candidates will receive a Master Plumber License.
- Licensed plumbers must renew each level of their license on a yearly interval (usually December 31).
- Any individual previously found guilty of any criminal offenses or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere is not eligible to hold or receive any licenses issued by the Board.
How to Get Plumbing License in Arkansas?
Except you’re performing plumbing works on your own home or agricultural facility, the state of Arkansas prohibits one from carrying out any plumbing contracts without a license. In order to join the plumbing workforce legally, one must first obtain a license. To achieve this, you will start by registering as an apprentice.
After practicing for four years (with documented work) under the express supervision of a licensed plumber, you will be qualified to formerly apply for your own journeyman license.
The journeyman license will allow you to practice for the period of one year, after which you can now apply for a master plumber license in the state of Arkansas.
Certification and testing for plumbing licenses and HVAC are provided by the Department of Health, Arkansas.
The minimum standards for repair, alteration, or installation of plumbing and mechanical systems and equipment within the state of Arkansas are provided under the Protective Health Codes Division and the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners. The provisions cover the Arkansas air conditioning, heating, refrigeration (HVAC/R), and ventilation Board. The two respective bodies also establish and administer the Arkansas Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes.
The following guidelines would guide you on how to go about getting your Arkansas plumber license starting from apprenticeship to journeyman and then master plumber.
Apprenticeship Plumber Requirements and Work Experience
In the state of Arkansas, anyone doing any kind of plumbing work is required to register as an apprentice with the Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section, Arkansas. This department provides such workers with instructions on how to apply. To register, applicants need to submit their application forms along with a compulsory fee of $25. At this level, applicants don’t need to undergo any examinations.
Upon successful completion of the application process, candidates may now begin to accruing their four years of experience. With that, they can apply for an opportunity to undertake the journeyman examinations for a journeyman license.
Eligible persons can begin the process of acquiring a journeyman license after completing a state-approved apprenticeship program, under the express and documented supervision of a licensed master or journeyman plumber. The law stipulates that apprenticeship term must last for a minimum of 8,000 hours of practical work experience, coupled with related classroom instruction of at least 640 hours over the four years of apprenticeship.
The major requirements to practice as an apprentice plumber in the state of Arkansas include:
- Making a deposit of $25 for the Arkansas state-approved apprenticeship form
- Filling out the Arkansas apprenticeship plumber application form to be enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program
- Register with the Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas section, Arkansas
- Successful candidates will be approved to undertake their apprenticeship work experience for a minimum period of 4 years
Journeyman Plumber License Requirements and Work Experience
Upon successful completion of a state-approved approved apprenticeship program or college program, eligible persons can apply for a journeyman license at the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners. Candidates are required to pay the sum of $75 as an examination fee and another $75 as an application fee. Plumber applications are usually reviewed by the Committee of Plumbing Examiners during their monthly conferences. Applicants are duly notified via mail concerning the committee’s decisions.
After practicing as a journeyman for a period of one-year minimum, eligible persons can apply for their master plumber license. To do this, they must have had at least one year working experience as journeymen under the express supervision of a state-approved master plumber. Afterward, they can apply for the master plumber examinations.
The major requirements to practice as a journeyman plumber in the state of Arkansas include:
- Eligible candidates must have completed a state-approved apprenticeship program in the state of Arkansas
- Candidates must apply for a journeyman license at the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners
- Applicants must pay the sum of $75 as the application fee
- Applicants must also pay the sum of $75 as examination fee
- Applications must be reviewed by the Committee of Plumbing Examiners
- Successful candidates will receive a notification concerning the committee’s decision via email
- Successful applicants will be approved to undertake their journeyman work experience for a minimum period of 1 year
Master Plumber License Requirements and Work Experience
Applications for Master Plumber License are submitted to the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners. The application attracts a fee of $200 and a $125 examination fee. All applications are duly reviewed by the committee of Plumbing Examiners during their regular monthly conferences. All applicants are duly notified concerning the committee’s decisions via email. Denied applicants are mailed a letter of explanation.
The major requirements to practice as a master plumber in the state of Arkansas include:
- Eligible candidates must have completed a state-approved apprenticeship and journeyman work experience of an accumulated total of 5 years prior to their application
- Applicants must make a deposit of $200 as application fees
- Applicants must also make a deposit of $125 as an examination fee
- Candidates must submit applications to the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners, Arkansas
- Applications must be reviewed by the committee of Plumbing Examiners
- Applicants will be notified via email
Salary Rates in Arkansas
- Apprentice Plumber – $20.96 per hour
- Journeyman Plumber – $30.12 per hour
- Master Plumber – $40.86 per hour
Insurance for Plumbers in Arkansas
Plumbing can be a tedious profession. However, things can get messier if you haven’t done your insurance homework, and find yourself at the receiving end of a liability claim. In the state of Arkansas, all plumbers are advised to get insured, including small, independent-working sole proprietors.
In the state of Arkansas, plumbers’ insurance policy limits, equipment value, and business risks, amid other factors determine the costs of their insurance. State-approved professional plumbers pay a median premium of $126 (or less) per month (that is, $1,481 or less per year) for general liability insurance. Usually, this insurance policy will provide protection against third-party property injuries, advertising injuries, and third-party injuries.
- Cost – less than $126 monthly or less than $1,481 annually
License renewal in Arkansas
In the state of Arkansas, license renewal notices are sent to the specified addresses of state-approved plumbers as given on their respective files. If you failed to receive your renewal notice, you can verify your current address with the state licensing office, Arkansas. Renewal attracts an annual fee of $25, which can be paid in check or money order. Upon receiving the notice, you must send an application (with your license number) to the following address:
Arkansas Department of Health
5418 West Markham Street, Slot 24
Little Rock, AR 72205
- Application Cost – $0.00
- License Renewal fee – $25
License Reciprocity in Arkansas
The state of Arkansas doesn’t offer license reciprocity agreements on a state-by-state basis. This means that you cannot expressly use your Arkansas plumber’s license to practice in other states (except through prior permission from such a state). However, plumbers from other states seeking reciprocal contracts can apply to the state of Arkansas on an individual basis through the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners.
