Starting out (licensing)

Home Forums Public Forums General Plumbing Starting out (licensing)

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #273889
      Avatar photoAnonymous

        What is the best way to get started? Would it be smarter to just take a vocational course and get licensed or take a entry level postion with a company and get hands on experience and maybe not get my license? I’m in the mist of changing careers and Plumbing is what I want.

      • #288763
        Avatar photoTheLocalPlumber
        Participant

          Work experience is the best thing you can do. Find a company that does many different things, maybe a commercial plumber.
          What you want to do is get as much experience as you can.
          The license will not come into play for at least 4 years of hands on experience.
          A license will do you NO good unless you know alot about plumbing. To many people are licensed today and do not know what to do with it. Being a Licensed Plumber today is much more than having a license.
          You have to know how to do it and you need to be able to direct others to do it. Experience in the trenches and alot of reading is the only way to get you ready for this. Have patience, If you go to quickly through this learning experience, your chances of failing as a business owner increases.
          Good Luck
          Bill
          The Local Plumber
          Tustin, California http://www.TheLocalPlumber.com

        • #288764
          Avatar photoGuest
          Participant

            Taking Votech classes only work for HVAC because they do not have the licensing requirement plumbing does. However, this may not be a bad idea as many plumbing companies are in HVAC also.
            Depending on how old you are and financial situation, you may want to consider the union if one is in your area.
            If you want to work non-union, you will find that plumbing is very much a sales job and besides, you get paid to work on other peoples plumbing. Having good people skills is a must for residential/commercial service work. The technical skill will come with time.

            Regardless of what you decide, have fun…I too became a REAL plumber after a career change.

        Viewing 2 reply threads
        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

        Pin It on Pinterest

        Share This