Different Types of Plumbing Licenses In Illinois and Their Requirements

Illinois

Plumbing is a professional trade that requires an in-depth understanding of the field. You can begin a profitable plumbing profession by working with the main organization or beginning your business. The plumbing trade is a noble career that normally attracts people with excellent work ethics and strong backs. The level of responsibility and dedication assumed by those in the plumbing trade is heightened due to the general public trust this is afforded this institution of professionals.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has set licensing necessities in place for all people who are looking to embark upon the plumbing career which will protect the health of the general public. In the state of Illinois, a Plumber’s License is needed to carry out any plumbing work inside IL. To turn out to be a licensed plumber in Illinois, any business or person performing work as a plumber is needed to pass the Illinois plumbers examination issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In this article, we cover different types of plumbing licenses in Illinois as well as their requirements. In addition, we also cover the plumbing license reciprocity as well as license renewal.

So let’s get started!

Why It’s Important to Hire a Licensed Plumbing Contractor?

Hiring an authorized plumber is a great way to guarantee the best services and make sure that you’ll be protected if something is going wrong. This will save your time, money, and the headache of managing a plumber that does the wrong job.

Following are the main reasons why it’s important to hire a licensed plumber:

1. Know about Proper Equipment

A plumber needs to have the proper system to provide good and professional plumbing services. No matter what kind of plumbing services you want for your home, you may trust a certified plumber to show up with the proper tools to finish the job.

2. Provide Effective Plumbing Services

 Licensed plumbers are industry professionals which could efficiently diagnose, troubleshoot, and solve any problems with your plumbing system. Unlicensed plumbers aren’t held responsible for any standards and they’re normally not insured. If an unlicensed plumber provides you with the wrong plumbing services, there may be normally not anything you could do.

3. They have good Training and Expertise

They should also understand and work within local rules and regulations. This means that an authorized plumber has verified to the State of Illinois that they have been well educated and possess the expertise to provide good plumbing services in compliance with their code of standards.  Hiring an authorized plumber ensures which you are hiring an expert who’s properly qualified.

Related:  How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Illinois?

4. Follows all local regulations

Unlicensed plumbing can lead to risky conditions because plumbing structures include toxic gases and dangerous waste materials. There are codes in place to make sure that plumbing work is carried out safely, and authorized plumbers are trained to work inside those codes.  Licensed plumbers will make sure that your plumbing system follows all local policies to help preserve your house safe.

Common Duties of a Licensed Plumber in Illinois

A plumber can perform the following jobs after getting his plumbing license:

  • Swimming Pools
  • Street or Parkway Openings
  • Sewer Service Changes and Sewage Disposal Systems
  • New/Additional Sinks and Interior Piping Changes
  • Hot Tubs, Jacuzzis and Spas
  • Sewer Repairs, Clean Outs and Bathtub/Shower Replacement
  • Water Service Changes and Installation of Chemical Dispensers

Different Types of Plumbing License Classification and Their Requirements

1. Apprentice License

 Apprentice is a person who’s simply starting their plumbing profession in Illinois and is undergoing training or a part of an apprenticeship program. Any apprentice plumber in the state is needed to be supervised through a certified plumber that has sufficient experience to supervise the work and training of an apprentice plumber. It’s important to understand that the state refers to those certified plumbers who will do the supervisory work over apprentices as sponsors.

Requirements of apprentice in Illinois

  • Age must be 16 years old at the time of application
  • He must pay the license fee of $175
  • Attend the apprenticeship where you will be supervised by a licensed plumber
  • Must have two years of school education

2. Plumber License

 A Plumber must have successfully finished an apprenticeship program, gained sufficient experience, and passed the necessary examinations to be able to work independently on plumbing structures in the state. They have to be hired by a contractor to do so.

Requirements of a plumber in Illinois

  • Must have complete 2 years of plumbing trade course
  • You must complete a minimum of 4 years of the apprenticeship program
  • Must pay 175$ application fee
  • Fill the examination form
  • Pass the trade examination
Related:  How to Get a General Contractor License in Illinois?

3. Plumbing Contractor License

 Unlike plumbers, a plumbing contractor works on plumbing structures independently however they’re not hired by some other person. He or she may also hire plumbers to work for their business or work on plumbing structures himself or herself however without anyone acting as his or her boss.

Requirements of a plumbing contractor in Illinois

The basic requirements for the Plumbing Contractor license are the same as the Plumber license. For applying for this license, you want to ensure that you meet the basic requirements of the experience. You must want to have completed your apprenticeship period and meet the minimum required hours of work. For this applying type of license you must need the following requirements:

  • You must provide a surety bond worth $20,000
  • You must have minimum insurance coverage of $500,000
  • You need to pass the trade examination

4. Irrigation Contractor License

Irrigation contractor refers to a contractor that specializes in the installation and supervision of lawn sprinkler system installation. All irrigation contractors must follow the below requirements:

  • Must register annually with IDPH by completing the Irrigation Contractors: Application for Registration form
  • The irrigation contractors must register all employees who specialize in the installation or supervision of the lawn sprinkler system installation
  • Must inform the IDPH of any cancellation of employment via Irrigation Contractors: Notice of Cancellation of Employment form
  • All applicants must certify whether they are delinquent in the payment of child support regardless of having children or not. They can complete the Irrigation Contractors: Application Child Support Certification form for this requirement.

5. Retired Plumbing License

The purpose of issuing the retired plumbing license is to allow individual who wish to retire by not anticipating in the practicing plumbing. This license allows the plumbers which wish to reinstate or restore their plumbing license at a lower cost; at which lower than the cost of renewal. However, as retired plumbing licenses, they cannot sponsor or supervise any apprenticeship plumbers nor inspecting any plumbing works.

Requirements for retired plumbing license in Illinois:

  • An individual must hold an active plumbing license
  • Be at least 62 years old; or
  • Be physically unable to perform the responsibilities as a normal licensed plumber; and
  • Voluntarily surrender their plumbing license in Illinois
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Plumbing License Exam Pattern in Illinois

For passing score of the pluming exam is 70. You cannot bring calculators or reference materials to the examination centre because Calculators will be provided. The test timing will be 3 hours.  The plumbing exam for the license in Illinois will be a combination of the following content:

  • Plumbing Systems
  • Troubleshoot, Maintenance and Repair
  • Code Requirements for Plumbers and Contractors
  • Cutting and Assembling Plumbing System Components
  • Plumbing Practice, Theory and Safety
  • Drawings, Charts and Plans

Requirements for Plumbing License in Illinois

The state of Illinois has not a journeyman and master certification in the field of plumbing, just for in Chicago’s local union. For becoming a certified plumber in Illinois the following requirements should be met:

  • Must have proof of experience
  • He must be a citizen of the U.S or becoming in future
  • He must complete an application for a plumbing license
  • He must have completed at least two years of high school and complete a plumbing course
  • He must be an employee as an apprentice plumber in the state of Illinois for at least four years

Plumbing Colleges in Illinois

  • Parkland College
  • City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
  • Triton College

Plumbing License Reciprocity in Illinois

There are no reciprocity agreements between the state of Illinois and every other state, however, Chicago citizens may apply for reciprocity with different Illinois districts, and vice versa, via the city’s Application for Reciprocity.

Renewal of Illinois Plumbing License

An Illinois plumbing license must be renewed after one year of issuance on 30 April. If you want to renew it, you must complete continuing education credits. It is also important that you should have your surety bond valid at all times during your licensing period. The price of the surety bond will depend on the current position of your personal and business finances, every time you renew it, you have a chance to reduce your bond costs. The license will not renew without a statement. The license renewal fee will be 100$ every year.

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