For over a century, the experts at HB McClure have been helping residents of Harrisburg and the rest of central Pennsylvania stay safe and comfortable in their homes. Our technicians have expertise in several professional areas, including plumbing. Being a plumber is a serious trade. It takes a good deal of training to get to a professional level. How long does it take to be a licensed plumber, though?
It Depends
Every state has different regulations concerning professional trades. In most cases, the state requires hundreds of classroom hours and a few years as an apprentice under an experienced plumber. Some states have fairly loose requirements that allow general contractors to do plumbing work. Pennsylvania is a little different. In our state, the individual cities and counties determine the requirements for licensing. In rural areas, there are often fewer rules. In our home city of Harrisburg, there are three levels of plumbing license: apprentice, journeyman and master.
From Apprentice to Journeyman
The path to becoming a master plumber is challenging. Most people start out at a young age going to a technical program to finish the classwork requirements. They will then sign on with a master plumber for a period of apprenticeship. This period lasts for three to four years. This is the time when you learn the basics of the trade.
Once the apprenticeship is over, you can apply to be a journeyman plumber. At this level, the plumber can fix just about anything that might go wrong with the plumbing of a household. A journeyman plumber might work with a company like HB McClure or operate independently.
Mastering the Trade
After a few years as a journeyman, you can apply to be a master plumber. At this level, you will be able to fix problems as well as designing a system for a new home. There is a huge difference between being able to fix a leaky faucet and being able to build a system from scratch.
The experts at HB McClure in Harrisburg are ready to help you with all of your heating, cooling, geothermal and plumbing needs. Whether it is an emergency repair or a full system installation, we have what it takes to get the job done. If you have any plumbing issues, contact HB McClure today.