Alabama Plumbing License: Recent Updates and Guidelines

The process to get an Alabama plumbing license is easy and straightforward. And today, we will make it even simpler by providing you with the latest and most accurate details.

To start with, the authority that encircles everything related to plumbing in this state is the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.

This means that all your communication to get a plumbing license in Alabama will be with this authority. So let’s commence your journey.

Types of Plumbing Licenses in Alabama

The state of Alabama classifies plumbers into the following three stages with a license for each stage:

Following are the types of plumbing licenses in Alabama as per various stages:

1. Apprentice

This is the start of your journey in the field of plumbing. And no, you can’t skip ahead directly to journeyman or master level. Once eligible, at the age of 18, you can apply to get an apprentice license.

As an apprentice plumber, you need to work directly under the supervision of a journeyman or a master plumber. At this stage, you can only assist them to provide any service, such as installing or repairing plumbing systems.

2. Journeyman

Journeyman defines the middle stage of plumbing in Alabama. After working as an apprentice, you can be granted to become a journeyman, given that you complete the process (stated ahead).

As a journeyman plumber, you can engage in all plumbing activities directly. But yet, you cannot take contracts or supervise such projects.

3. Master

After gaining experience of one year as a journeyman under a master, you can finally become a master plumber.

Once a master plumber, you get the rights to provide all the plumbing services along with starting a plumbing business on your own.

Now let’s look at the cost for various licenses.

Cost to Get a Plumbing License in Alabama

These are the costs for getting a plumbing license as per the latest updates on the website of the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board:

1. Apprentice license

• Initial registration fee: $35
• Annual renewal fee: $35
• Late renewal fee: $35

No examination is required to become an apprentice plumber.

2. Journeyman license

• Examination fee: $110 (non-refundable and charged for each attempt)
• Initial application processing fee: $50 (charged when you receive the license)
• Initial certificate fee: $75
• Annual renewal fee: $75
• Late renewal fee: $75

3. Master license

• Examination fee: $160 (non-refundable and charged for each attempt)
• Initial application processing fee: $50 (charged when you receive the license)
• Initial certificate fee: $175
• Annual renewal fee: $175
• Late renewal fee: $175

Requirements to Get a Plumbing License in Alabama

1. Apprentice license

• No written exam is to be taken
• Minimum age of 18
• Completed apprentice registration form
• Completed and executed form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen
• Required fees

2. Journeyman license

• Completed application for examination
• Verifiable proof of two years of current work experience as an apprentice plumber or of completion of a board-approved apprentice training program
• Completed and executed form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen
• Required fees
• Passing score on the examination

3. Master license

• Completed application for examination
• Verifiable proof of one year of experience as a journeyman plumber
• Completed and executed form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen
• Required fees
• Passing score on the examination

The Process to Get a Plumbing License in Alabama

• Step 1: Wait till 18 years of age.
• Step 2: Submit the required forms with complete details: Apprentice registration form and form of Declaration of Citizenship or Lawful Presence of a Non-citizen.
• Step 3: Get two years of plumbing experience under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber. You can even get training from a board-approved training program to be eligible to become a journeyman plumber.
• Step 4: Apply for and pass the journeyman plumber exam. The examination fee is $110 for each attempt.
• Step 5: Now, apply for a journeyman plumber license. The initial journeyman plumber certificate will cost you $75. On top of that, you will have to pay an initial application processing fee of $50 upon obtaining your license.
• Step 6: Get at least one year of plumbing experience as a journeyman plumber.
• Step 7: Apply for and pass the master plumber exam. The examination fee is $160 for each attempt.
• Step 8: Apply for a master plumber license. The initial master plumber certificate will cost you $175. Plus, you will have to pay an initial application processing fee of $50 upon obtaining your license.
• Step 9: Voila! Now you have a master plumber certification.

Exam Details For Journeyman and Master Plumber

1. Journeyman plumber exam

It is an open-book examination.

• Number of questions: 70
• Passing percentage: 70%
• Time: 3 hours

2. Master plumber exam

It is an open-book examination.

• Number of questions: 100
• Passing percentage: 70%
• Time: 4 hours

The syllabus for both the examinations – journeyman and master – are the same, except that the master plumber exam also includes laws and rules.

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Conclusion

Here was all you need to know about Alabama’s plumbing license. So, are you ready to start your journey as a plumber or upgrade yourself to a level higher? We wish you all the best for it.

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