Why Do Plumbers Need a License in Most Provinces?

Plumbing is an essential part of your daily life. When you hire a plumber to clean your drains, repair your water heater or install a water softener, you want the assurance of a job well done. While reading reviews and considering the company’s years of experience can help, the first thing to look for is a plumbing license. 

Educational Requirements for Plumbers 

Here’s a summary of what it takes to get a plumber’s license: 

• Education: Numerous vocational schools and community colleges offer plumbing certificates or degrees. In most scenarios, the training covers all the essential skills plumbers use on a regular basis. 
• Apprenticeship: Both union and non-union organizations provide apprenticeship courses that combine classroom learning with on-site experience. These programs normally last four to five years, and apprentices get paid wages during the course of their training. 
• Licensing exam: A participating province offers its own plumbing exam, which candidates must pass to earn a license. The topics covered include things like plumbing fixtures, drainage systems, vents and venting, fabrication, pipe maintenance, administrative procedures and more. Qualifications to take the exam vary by province and licensing level. 

Types of Plumbing Licenses and Certifications 

Plumbers can earn various licenses and certifications based on their knowledge and experience. These vary by location, and not all are available in every province, but the most typical plumbing licenses and certifications include: 

• Plumbing certificate: Some provinces only need plumbers to have a certificate to work on residential jobs with a moderate scope of work. This is generally an apprentice-level plumber working with a certified supervisor. 
• Journeyman plumber: In most provinces, plumbers can take the journeyman’s licensing exam after completing an apprenticeship and having the necessary years of field experience. 
• Master plumber: The criteria to take the master plumber’s licensing exam vary greatly by location. Some assessments only require 12 to 24 months working as a journeyman plumber, while others require four or five years of journeyman experience. 

Rewards of Hiring a Licensed Plumber 

Selecting an unlicensed plumber for the job may be cheaper initially, but that’s where the benefits end. Why chance it? — only hire a licensed expert, regardless of the job size, to ensure all the perks of professional experience: 

• Superb workmanship: Plumbing is not an easy field. Conducting even the most direct jobs, like snaking a drain, requires specialized equipment and years of expertise. As a result of the intensive training needed for certification, you can rest easy knowing that a licensed plumber will solve the problem. 
• Liability insurance: Most provinces require plumbers to demonstrate proof of liability insurance as part of the licensing process. This keeps you, the homeowner, from being held liable for property damage or an injury on-site if a plumber has an mishap while performing services in your home. 

• Legal and code-compliant: Large plumbing jobs commonly need to have permits to guarantee safety and legality. Unlicensed plumbers are typically turned down the needed permits. If they proceed with the job, you could confront code violations and subsequent penalties later on. Furthermore, you may face legal repercussions if an unlicensed plumber impairs the local waterways. Prevent these risks by only hiring a licensed professional. 
• Preserved health and safety: A certified plumber understands the proper strategies for working on water supply lines, sewer pipes and fuel lines. Years of hands-on experience are essential to reduce the risk of water pollution, sewer backups and gas leaks. 
• Reputable services: Not all plumbers have your best interest at heart. However, a fully licensed team is far less likely to try to mislead you than an unlicensed company. In the end, homeowners can file a complaint with the province licensing board if they suspect being cheated, leaving the plumber with a steep fine or even causing them to forfeit their license. Knowing this provides extra peace of mind when hiring a plumber for the first time. 

Set up Any Plumbing Services with a Licensed Professional 

At Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts, we go above and beyond to offer the best plumbing services to our communities in North America. Everything we do is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. To schedule reliable plumbing services in your area, please contact a Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts office near you today!