Plumbers in Texas have to take multiple examinations and perform thousands of hours of work to reach the ultimate rank of master plumber. Although plumbers can begin to practice independently after reaching the rank of journeyman plumber, a licensed master plumber earns significantly more money and has access to more job opportunities. According to Payscale.com, journeyman plumbers in Texas earn an average of $17 to $23 per hour, while master plumbers earn $20 to $28.
Instructions
1. Find a plumber to sponsor you. All plumbers must begin at the apprentice level, during which they work and learn on-the-job under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. Seek out local plumbers and ask whether one is willing to sponsor you.
2. Register as a plumber's apprentice. Prospective apprentices must submit an application to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. The application includes an $18 registration fee and must be renewed each year. If the applicant has incurred a felony, he must submit a Supplemental Criminal History Information Form.
3. Accumulate 8000 hours of work experience. All apprentices are required to spend this much time under the direction of a master plumber. However, after 4,000 hours, the apprentice can, if she wishes, apply for a tradesman plumber-limited license, which allows her more independence.
4. Receive 48 hours of classroom instruction. The classroom instruction, which covers safety issues, must be specifically authorized to provide this training. On its website, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners offers links to a number of different providers of these courses.
5. Complete high school or get your GED. Although apprentice plumbers are not required to have graduated high school or to hold a general equivalency degree, journeymen plumbers are.
6. Take the Journeyman Plumber Examination and submit an application. The exam costs $27, which also covers the fee for issuing the license if you pass. The exam has two parts, a written part and a hands-on part. You can take the written part in several cities, but you must take the hands-on part in Austin.
7. Apply for a master plumber license after four years. Prior to January 1, 2010, journeyman plumbers could apply for a master plumber license after only one year. In January 2010, the required time was extended to four years.
8. Take the Master Plumber Examination. Like the journeyman exam, the master plumber exam comes in two parts. The applicant must submit a nonrefundable $175 application fee.
Tags: master plumber, must submit, Board Plumbing, Board Plumbing Examiners, classroom instruction, four years, hands-on part
