Last Updated: July 25, 2024by Jeel Patel Are you the one who wants to grab more plumbing jobs? And, do not even wish to give up on plumbing clients just for the fact that you are unlicensed? Easy, we are here to sort out your issues. As we all know, there is a strong demand for this skill set. The statistical data presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics says it all. The employment rate of plumbers is projected to grow by 5% between 2021-2031. Along with this, the bureau reports depict 469,900 plumbers nationwide, and Maryland has 9,520 among them. As the government of Maryland is very much concerned about its citizens, it mandates having a plumbing license to ensure public safety. Hence, we will further walk you through the comprehensive guide on how to get a Maryland plumbing license and win more jobs. Table of Content Plumbing License Requirements for Maryland Steps to Get a Maryland Plumbing License Salary of a Plumber in Maryland Why Having a Maryland Plumbing License is Crucial? Examination Criteria for Maryland Plumbing License FAQs Conclusion Plumbing License Requirements for Maryland Majorly all the states, including Maryland, offer three levels of plumbing license: apprentice, journeyman, and master. Let’s have a detailed look at them: 1, Apprentice The individual having an apprentice license can perform the duties with certain limitations. He can perform these duties only under the supervision of licensed journeymen or licensed master plumbers. Requirement The only requirement to get the apprentice license is that an individual must be at least 16 years of age. 2. Journeyman license For a journeyman license, a plumber can perform entry-level duties under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. Requirement He must possess an apprentice license for a period of at least four years.He must have completed the training for 7,500 hours under the direction of a licensed master plumber.In addition to this, he should have completed 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing.Lastly, he must have passed a comprehensive written examination. 3. Master It is the superior licensing level, allowing the master plumbers to supervise apprentices and journeymen, pull permits for projects, or run their plumbing businesses. Requirement An individual must have held a journeyman license for a period of at least two years.Must have attended 3750 hours of approved training under the direction and control of a licensed master plumber. Last but not least, he must pass a comprehensive written examination in order to get a master plumbing license. Steps to Get a Maryland Plumbing License A high school diploma or equivalent degree is required to qualify for certain apprenticeships, and not all. Your age must be at least 18 years to get qualified for apprenticeship programs. However, parental permission is required if your age is 16 or more but up to 18 years.Once the license is availed, an apprentice plumber needs to hold an apprentice license for a minimum period of four years, along with completing 7,500 hours of training programs under the control and guidance of a licensed master plumber.You must have undergone 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing.After which, passing a comprehensive written examination is a must to get the journeyman plumbing license.After getting a journeyman license, you can work as much as you want, but only under the control and direction of a licensed master plumber. If you wish to go ahead, and want to apply for the highest level of master plumbing license, then you are required to gain additional two years of work experience.After which, undergoing the training of 3750 hours under the licensed master plumber’s supervision is a must, along with holding the journeyman license.And lastly, you need to pass another comprehensive written examination to apply for the master plumbing license. Salary of a Plumber in Maryland As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the mean annual wage of plumbers in Maryland was $63.350 in May 2021. However, the same can vary depending on the knowledge and experience of the plumber. Apprentice Plumbing Job Journeyman Plumbing Jov Per Hour $17.66 $28.59 Annual Wage $41,314 $57,174 Source: Indeed.com: The data presented here was updated on January 02, 2023. Why Having a Maryland Plumbing License is Crucial? There are a few reasons which signify why having a Maryland plumbing license is advisable as well as mandatory for a plumber: It helps build up earning opportunities.The plumbing license which you have acquired speaks on your behalf. It is a standardized proof of your experience and skill. The most essential reason is the Maryland board itself mandates the plumbers to have a license. It is compulsory to have a license in order to offer, provide or attempt to provide plumbing services or any other gas fitting services. Maryland state plumbing board considers it illegal if you perform any plumbing services in Maryland without a state-issued license.Along with this, certification helps you have your own identity as a verified and licensed plumbing expert. Having a license builds trust among the customers and helps you stay ahead of your competitors in the market. There are certain services that you can perform only while holding the Maryland plumbing license. For instance, commercial insurance, pull building permits,pass inspections, bid on public and government projects, etc. After knowing all the good points of having a plumbing license in Maryland, it’s high time to show some enthusiasm and get your plumbing license ASAP to flourish your plumbing career. When you are stuck over the lengthy licensing process or various other business operations, there is one such area where you can feel relaxed. InvocieOwl help you bid goodbye to the old manual techniques of creating estimates & invoices, ultimately saving you time, energy, and effort. Want to know in detail? Have a look Give Personalized Touch to Estimates & Invoices Swiftly! From creating custom-based estimates & invoices to sending them to clients and keeping track for ease in the future, InvoiceOwl can be your go-to option. Start Your FREE Trial The Maryland State Board of Plumbing is one among the 21 licensing boards. It falls under the Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. It regulates individuals providing plumbing and gas services to have licenses. Also, for the qualified individuals who are non-plumbers, the state board provides natural gas fitter licenses to provide propane gas services. Maryland State Plumbing Board mandates having both of these licenses in the entire state except for Baltimore County and,the areas served by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). The reason why you are not required to have a license in the above-mentioned areas is these two jurisdictions issue their own licenses and possess their own plumbing code. Examination Criteria for Maryland Plumbing License Here are the examination criteria for passing the comprehensive written examination to get the journeyman plumbing license and the master plumbing license. Type of License Passing % Duration No of Questions Journeyman Plumber/Gas Fitter or Master Plumber/Gas Fitter 75% 4 hours 100 Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter/Master Natural Gas Fitter 70% 1.5 hours 40 Note: The examination fee is $65. Frequently Asked Questions What is a plumbing license? A plumbing license is standard proof that the plumber has acquired all the required training and qualifications relating to plumbing and gas services. Now, he can legally carry out various plumbing services like repairing, installing and maintaining different plumbing systems. Why plumbing license is important? Be it a clogged pipe or a major leak in the house, looking for a licensed plumber is a priority. Your family, friends, or the handyman without plumbing licenses, may help you out, but there are high chances of things getting ruined. A wrong move in an unprofessional way will cost you more money and lend you huge trouble. How to get a plumbing license? To get a plumbing license, an individual needs to undergo: Four years of apprenticeship program under the licensed master plumber. You will get your salary and need to successfully complete the required on-the-job training, technical training, and exams in the program. The courses available in the training program are backflow training and plumbing codes. After successfully availing of the apprentice license, you can apply for a journeyman license followed by a master plumbing license in fulfillment of the requirements mentioned above. What is the licensing procedure when an individual has a criminal background? The Maryland Board of Plumbing issues the plumbing license. An individual applying for the plumber gas fitter license while attending the Maryland PHCC Apprenticeship Program will get the license as and when he further proceeds. However, if you are a person with a criminal background, then the board considers the basic details as given: type of crime you did your current standing in society and how much time has passed since your conviction What are the insurance requirements for a plumber in Maryland? A plumber in Maryland must have the below-given insurance coverages: $1,00,000 as Property Damage Insurance $3,00,000 as General Liability Insurance Is my Maryland plumbing license applicable in any other state? No, a plumbing license availed in Maryland is applicable only within the state. Who issues Maryland plumbing licenses? The Maryland board of plumbing issues every level of plumbing license. You can connect with the Maryland state board at the below-mentioned address and phone number: Maryland Board of Plumbing 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 121 Baltimore, MD 21201 410-230-6379 (Baltimore area) or 1-888-218-5925 (toll-free) Fax: 410-962-8483 e-mail: [email protected] Conclusion So, now after going through the whole blog, you are now good to go. Follow all the necessary licensing requirements and roll up your sleeves for a smooth licensing application. Once you get certified, you can scale up your newly started plumbing business to incredible heights by bidding on plumbing jobs as much as you want based on your skills and expertise. Author Bio Jeel Patel Founder Jeel Patel is the founder of InvoiceOwl, a top-rated estimating and invoicing software that simplifies the invoicing and estimating processes for contractor businesses. Jeel holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Toronto, which has provided him with a strong foundation in business principles and practices. With understanding of the challenges faced by contractors, he conducted extensive research and developed a tool to streamline the invoicing and estimating processes for contractors. Read More Sign Up Now! Get weekly updates from InvoiceOwl. Subscribe Now Share this post: Twitter Facebook Pinterest Linkedin Email
