How to Get a Plumbing License in California

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Plumbing is a skilled trade requiring years of training and on-the-job experience. Before becoming a master plumber, you must spend years as an apprentice and as a journeyman. If you want to be a plumber in California, you can take a plumbing apprentice course and then apply for your contractor's license. All contractor's licenses are given by the Contractor's State License Board (CSLB), under the Department of Consumer Affairs. Read through the qualifications to see if you have the experience necessary to get your license. If not, you can follow the path outlined to obtain a plumbing license in California.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Becoming a Journeyman Plumber

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    Most apprenticeship programs require that you are 18 and have received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
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    These programs are available through organizations or plumbing companies. They usually include coursework and on-the-job training lasting up to 4 years.
    • Go to the California Department of Industrial Relations website, at dir.ca.gov, to research potential apprenticeship programs in your county. Look under the "Apprenticeship" tab and search by occupation and county.
    • You can also research a degree in plumbing from a technical school. This will cover a portion of your educational requirement and the program may be able to place you in an apprenticeship position.
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    These qualifications will allow you to work as a journeyman plumber. [1]
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    To apply for any contractor's license, you need to have 4 years of experience. You can complete jobs that are $500 or less without a contractor's license. You can also work for a plumbing company as a foreman, owner-builder or supervisor for that 4 year period.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Applying for your Plumber's License

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    A California plumbing contractor is listed under the C-36 classification, but the application is the same for most contractors. [2]
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    Keep the following guidelines in mind as you fill out the form: [3]
    • Do not leave any spaces blank. You may be given 30 days to make corrections, but this will delay your application.
    • Use only full legal names and official addresses. You will need to fill out personal information, including your social security number and information on any prior convictions.
    • Do not strikeout or blot out any corrections. Start on a new form, or else your application is unlikely to be accepted.
    • Support all work experience documentation with official payroll or W-2 forms. Submit a copy of your apprenticeship program certificate or diploma.
    • Ask a prior employer or colleague to fill out the work experience certification form. They must be licensed, and they must have direct experience with you during your time as a journeyman.
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    [4]
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    Sign up for the business and law exam by calling 1-800-321-2752 or going to the CSLB website after you have submitted your application.
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    You will schedule a time to show your trade skills to a CSLB proctor.
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    [5]
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    This can be shown in the form of a letter from a bank certifying that you have access to this amount of money.
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    Submit proof of your registered bond to the CSLB. This money serves as consumer protection against poor contractor work. [6]
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    Does a contractor need to buy a business license to do work in each city that they do work?
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    It depends on the laws of the state, couty and municipality in which you work.
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      Tips

      • If you hold a plumbing contractor's license in Arizona, Nevada or Utah, you can apply for a California contractor's license and you may be exempt from taking the trade exam.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Apprenticeship program
      • Training courses
      • Apprenticeship experience
      • Payroll slips or W-2 forms
      • Application certifier
      • Journeyman, supervisor, foreman or owner-builder experience
      • Original contractor license application
      • Proof of $2,500 in capital
      • $480 in application fees
      • $10,000 bond

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Journeymen/Journeymen_FAQS.aspx
      2. ↑ https://www.cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Licensing_Classifications/C-36_-_Plumbing.aspx
      3. ↑ https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Contractors_License/Exam_Application/Applying_For_License.aspx
      4. ↑ https://www.cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Forms_And_Applications.aspx
      5. ↑ https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Contractors_License/Exam_Application/Issuing_My_License.aspx
      6. ↑ https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Contractors_License/Exam_Application/Issuing_My_License.aspx
      7. http://www.usaplumbing.info/license/ca/california-plumbing-license-requirements
      8. http://www.tests.com/California-Plumbing-License-Exam
      9. http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ApplicationForOriginalContractorsLicense.pdf

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