What Plumbing Work Can Be Done Without a License?
Plumbing work is a complex trade that requires years of education, training, and professional experience. Everyone has a neighbor, uncle, or friend who swears that they can do all the things that a licensed plumber can do (and offer you a deal). While there are various repair jobs that an unlicensed layperson can tackle, you should be very careful when it comes to tinkering with the pipes that bring you the water you drink, bathe in, and use to cook.
It is best to check the guidelines and permit regulations of your area, but here is a good rule of thumb: if you are not digging up concrete or messing with pipes larger than 5 feet, you are free to consider work without a permit. Additionally, you should either hire a recognized professional or become one.
Dangers of Doing Plumbing Without License
Unfortunately, there are many dangers associated with unlicensed plumbing work. For the health and safety of yourself and the loved ones and pets who share your home, it is best to be honest about them all.
First and foremost, your plumbing may not be up to inspection. Why is this important? Small inconsistencies in routing water and pressure can cause pipes to not hold water pressure, resulting in devastating leaks or worse, bursts. Aside from the costs, faulty plumbing can permanently damage a home's foundation and pose a threat to your safety.
Failed inspections do not just mean expensive plumbing repairs. They can carry serious legal and financial penalties. If caught working without a permit in a place that requires one, you may be subject to fines. On the homeowner side, there is increased financial risk associated with work without a permit. Language in some homeowner agreements may hold you 100% liable for any damage resulting from unlicensed bathroom and kitchen renovations.
Finally, there are health risks to consider. Improperly installed plumbing can lead to mold and mildew, which can cause asthma and other respiratory infections. Slow leaks can leave potentially deadly puddles of water on smooth floors, which pose a risk to children and seniors.
First and foremost, your plumbing may not be up to inspection. Why is this important? Small inconsistencies in routing water and pressure can cause pipes to not hold water pressure, resulting in devastating leaks or worse, bursts. Aside from the costs, faulty plumbing can permanently damage a home's foundation and pose a threat to your safety.
Failed inspections do not just mean expensive plumbing repairs. They can carry serious legal and financial penalties. If caught working without a permit in a place that requires one, you may be subject to fines. On the homeowner side, there is increased financial risk associated with work without a permit. Language in some homeowner agreements may hold you 100% liable for any damage resulting from unlicensed bathroom and kitchen renovations.
Finally, there are health risks to consider. Improperly installed plumbing can lead to mold and mildew, which can cause asthma and other respiratory infections. Slow leaks can leave potentially deadly puddles of water on smooth floors, which pose a risk to children and seniors.
Where to Get a License for Plumbing?
Licenses are no quick or easy process. Plumbing work is a very complex, precision-based trade. A professional licensed plumber can earn more than $200,000 per year, and owners of their plumbing businesses can call the shots. But you always need a license to play in this league.
Plumbing licenses are generally obtained by following three steps: participating in a plumber's apprenticeship, becoming eligible for your area's plumber's license exam, and passing that test.
The plumber's apprenticeship is the most labor-intensive segment of your path to professional licensing. Plumber's apprenticeships are the rare type of skills-for-work agreements that pay. Apprentice plumbers receive hands-on training at actual work sites, where they receive technical instruction, trade tools, business practices such as billing and contracting, and subjects like OSHA safety and blueprint reading.
Apprenticeships usually last 4-5 years and can be managed by a local plumbing union, trade school, or private company.
License requirements for plumbers vary from place to place, so before you even consider plumbing training, make sure you are following the guidelines of your region. Once you have your proof of plumbing training, gather any other materials you need to become eligible for an official plumbing license exam, such as transcripts, insurance proof, and professional character references.
Taking the exam is the final step on the list. States are required to provide certified license exam study guides, like California's here. After four years of learning, you probably know the difference between fuel gas lines and industrial lines like the back of your hand, but make sure you start studying the night before.
Plumbing licenses are generally obtained by following three steps: participating in a plumber's apprenticeship, becoming eligible for your area's plumber's license exam, and passing that test.
The plumber's apprenticeship is the most labor-intensive segment of your path to professional licensing. Plumber's apprenticeships are the rare type of skills-for-work agreements that pay. Apprentice plumbers receive hands-on training at actual work sites, where they receive technical instruction, trade tools, business practices such as billing and contracting, and subjects like OSHA safety and blueprint reading.
Apprenticeships usually last 4-5 years and can be managed by a local plumbing union, trade school, or private company.
License requirements for plumbers vary from place to place, so before you even consider plumbing training, make sure you are following the guidelines of your region. Once you have your proof of plumbing training, gather any other materials you need to become eligible for an official plumbing license exam, such as transcripts, insurance proof, and professional character references.
Taking the exam is the final step on the list. States are required to provide certified license exam study guides, like California's here. After four years of learning, you probably know the difference between fuel gas lines and industrial lines like the back of your hand, but make sure you start studying the night before.
When is a Permit Needed for Plumbing Work?
Permits are separate from licenses. Licenses certify that a professional contractor is well informed about the craft and can safely perform repairs and meet state and local codes. Permits are authorizations to perform work required for any task, issued by Building Codes Divisions or BCD field offices. You fill out a form and pay a fee at most, and leave with the permit you came in that day to get.
Minor work, replacement of plumbing parts, water services, exterior drain lines, and maintenance on existing fixtures and appliances are the types of work that can be performed without a permit. You won't find a professional licensed plumber telling you that working without a permit is ever a good idea, but in reality it happens all the time.
Try to avoid intensive work that requires demolition or excavation of any kind, such as emergency repairs, replacing underground pipes, or installing new 5+ foot water or waste lines.
Minor work, replacement of plumbing parts, water services, exterior drain lines, and maintenance on existing fixtures and appliances are the types of work that can be performed without a permit. You won't find a professional licensed plumber telling you that working without a permit is ever a good idea, but in reality it happens all the time.
Try to avoid intensive work that requires demolition or excavation of any kind, such as emergency repairs, replacing underground pipes, or installing new 5+ foot water or waste lines.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning on becoming a full-time professional plumber, an apprentice (or hiring one), or it's a project you want to keep in your back pocket for a rainy day, licenses (and a permit) are necessary. It is the only way to get those solid, above-average projects that are the bread and butter of any independent business.
