After intense learning of the art of plumbing for a long time, what shows you’re qualified is a license for you to practice with. Most professionals including plumbers are required to possess a license before they can trade professionally. For people to know you’re competent and that you can handle their plumbing jobs perfectly, you have to show them your license to sufficiently prove a top-notch job. So, how does one become a licensed plumber in the state of Colorado?
In this article, we cover how to become a licensed plumber in Colorado. This includes each type of plumbing license as well as the key licensing requirements. So let’s get started!
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Types of Plumbing Licenses Available in Colorado
The state of Colorado isn’t limited to just one license, it offers different types of plumbing licenses to plumbing applicants based on their qualifications.
There are three types of plumbing licenses in Colorado and they are:
- Residential plumbing License,
- Journeyman plumbing license
- Master plumbing license
If you’re starting off as an apprentice, you have to register with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies just within thirty days of taking a plumbing job. You just have to pay a token of $30.
Apprentices don’t work on their own. They usually work under the supervision of their boss. They assist them in carrying out some of their plumbing jobs, those plumbing jobs may include: plumbing repairs and pipe installations.
General Requirements of Plumbing License in Colorado
To get a plumbing license in Colorado, all applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You need to submit proof of the payment of the application fee via credit card;
- You need to submit all information that relates to all other plumber licenses you may have or presently holding;
- You need to upload other state plumber licenses; where applicable;
- You need to upload transcripts if any;
- You need to upload affidavit of experience; where applicable;
- Provide present apprentice registration and identify current employer
- You need to complete the Affidavit of Eligibility section within the application.
- You need to upload name change documentation; where applicable;
- Complete general and criminal history screening questionnaires and turn in related documentation
How to Get a Plumbing License in Colorado
To get a Plumbing license in Colorado, all you have to do is simply apply for a plumbing license, even without attending trade school.
Below are the key requirements of each type of plumbing license in Colorado State:
Residential Plumber License Requirements and Work Experience
Residential plumbers perform residential plumbing jobs, such as installations, repairs, and pipe fittings. The license fee is $100.
To qualify for the residential plumber license you have to meet all the following requirements:
- You must have 3,400 hours of practical experience (exclusive of any service/maintenance work);
- You must submit an Affidavit of Experience Form provided by the Colorado State Plumbing Board or on company letterhead that contains the same information as requested on the Affidavit of Experience
Journeyman Plumbing License Requirements and Work Experience
A Journeyman plumber performs commercial and residential plumbing jobs and the license fee is $120.
The journeyman license requirements are:
- You must have 6,800 hours of practical experience (exclusive of any service/maintenance work);
- You must submit an Affidavit of Experience Form provided by the Colorado State Plumbing Board or on company letterhead that contains the same information as requested on the Affidavit of Experience
Master Plumbing License Requirements
A master plumber performs both commercial and residential plumbing jobs. They train and supervise apprentice plumbers and their license fee is $140
The master plumber license requirements are:
- You must have 8,500 hours of practical experience (exclusive of any service/maintenance work);
- You must submit an Affidavit of Experience Form provided by the Colorado State Plumbing Board or on company letterhead that contains the same information as requested on the Affidavit of Experience
Salary Rates in Colorado
The average salary rate per hour for plumbers in Colorado are:
- Journeyman plumbers – $28.64 per hour
- Master plumbers – $30.93 per hour.
- Residential plumbers – $22.95 per hour
Colorado Plumbing License Reciprocity
As a licensed plumber in one state, you may find it tedious to start the whole process of getting a license over again. In the state of Colorado, you don’t have to go through that stress, you can simply transfer your license and continue working in Colorado.
However, the license reciprocity isn’t direct. This is because Colorado requires all plumbers that didn’t obtain their license in the state to be evaluated and verified before you can begin working. But there are two ways to ease your license transfer to Colorado. They are:
- License by examination and;
- License by endorsement.
To get your license by examination, you must do the following:
- You must submit an Affidavit of Experience Form indicating the relevant practical plumbing experience;
- You must also submit a photocopy of your other state license;
- You must apply for a licensing exam;
- You must also apply for a temporary work permit. This allows you to be able to work in Colorado for a month without the state’s issued license;
Your exam qualification will be made by the SPB which can either deny or approve your application to take the exam. If they approve it, further information will be communicated by the SPB about how to enroll and register for the exam.
The exam fee is $70 and the pass Mark is 70% which shows you passed the exam
Once you pass, information about how to turn in your license application will be sent to you after which you become an authorized licensed plumber in Colorado once you get approved by the Division of Professions and Occupations.
Getting your plumber’s license by endorsement entails demonstrating that you have similar qualifications from another state to work as a plumber in Colorado.
To get your license by endorsement, the SPB requires you to verify the following:
- You should have enrolled and completed a state- or federally-approved apprenticeship program; Or
- Having completed the required years and type of experience for a comparable license;
- You must submit a verification form of plumbing experience from the state licensing agency of successful completion of a comparable state plumbing examination;
- You must submit a copy of your plumbing license currently held from another state for a minimum of 6 months.
After submitting all of the above information, together with a completed license application and letters showing your plumbing experience, to the SPB, and they are all approved, you can start working as a plumber in Colorado.
Insurance for Plumbers in Colorado
Plumbers employed by companies in Colorado, qualify for coverage under your employer’s policy, but for the self-employed plumbers, their policy must concur with the basic coverage requirements such as:
- $300,000 of general liability insurance
- $100,000 of property damage insurance
License Renewal in Colorado?
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies State Plumbing Board is responsible for renewing Plumbing licenses in Colorado. The expiration date is usually on the 28th of February of every odd-numbered year.
