An Expert in the Field: Master Plumber

Becoming a plumber takes specific training and hard work, not only in auckland plumber training school, but out in the field. Plumbers have to be in adequate physical condition to do the job, since it requires lifting and bending, fitting into tight spaces, finger dexterity for loosening bolts and screws, and strength for holding things in place.

They also have to have a good mind for math and science. Even though master plumber training does not go incredibly deep like a math or science major would, plumbers need to be able to do industrial math equations and be able to do calculations related to the planning of plumbing systems. Science is also important because, although water lines are most commonly thought to be installed by plumbers, gas lines are also installed, such as oxygen lines in hospitals. These gas lines, if not installed properly can be very dangerous.

Five Years of Hard Work

Although the majority of Master plumber training isn’t done in a classroom, the time it takes to complete the training is comparable to a bachelor’s degree plus a year of graduate school in the time that it takes to complete it. In addition, there are two exams that would need to be taken, plus an additional exam if the plumber ever moves to a different state, since the licensing exams are all state run.

Master plumber training begins with classroom training and then moves into the field. A lot of apprentice plumbers continue the class work while also working full time as a plumber under the supervision of a Journeyman or Master plumber. Once the apprentice has successfully completed the class work and also eight thousand hours under supervision in the field, then they are eligible to take the Journeyman licensing exam. There is an exam that they could take at four thousand hours that makes them more attractive as far as job opportunities go, which is the Tradesman exam. However, Master plumber training does not require that this exam be taken before the Journeyman exam.

Once a plumber has achieved Journeyman status, which is no less than about four years into their training, they must still continue for another year in their Master plumber training. During this year they learn more about managing other plumbers, working with the crew chiefs on construction sites, and also planning complex plumbing systems, such as for multi-level buildings. In order to be eligible for the Master plumbing exam, this year has to be under the supervision of a licensed Master plumber. At the end of the year they can take the exam and become licensed in that state as a Master plumber.