How to Become a Plumber in Arizona

If you choose to become a plumber in Arizona, you are in for a successful and rewarding career.

Skilled plumbers are in high demand in Arizona due to the state’s dry climate where water conservation and effective plumbing are very important.

As a plumber, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that various systems are functioning properly, from residential plumbing to commercial and industrial installations.

In this article, we’ll share with you everything you need to know on how to become a plumber in Arizona.

How to Become a Plumber in Arizona – Step by Step

Just like in most of the states, you must get a license to legally work as a plumber in Arizona.

However, before you can apply to get your license there are certain criteria you have to meet:

• You must be at least 18 years old as well as have a valid US ID and/or Drivers license
• You must have a social security number
• You need to be approved as a Legal Business Entity (meaning that you are required to meet the legal obligations set by your local state and federal law)
• Be a qualifying party (have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to take the required exams and get licensed)

According to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, you need to have at least 4 years of experience before applying for any of the plumbing licenses in the state.

To get 4 years of experience you can take the classic route of classroom education by attending a local community college and obtaining a degree in plumbing or taking a specialized plumbing certificate program.

You can also become an apprentice by taking up a formal or informal apprenticeship.

A formal apprenticeship would be backed up by a union or a trade organization.

An informal apprenticeship would be becoming an apprentice (entry-level worker) to a licensed contractor who would also be your supervisor and mentor.

After gaining 4 years of experience you can apply to take the mandatory exams.

Trade Exam

The plumbing trade exam is one of the two exams you’ll need to pass.

The exam is a standard part of becoming a plumbing professional in most states.

The exam will include topics such as:

• Installation, Alteration, and Repair
• Piping fixtures and appliances
• Steam heating and supply systems
• Venting and sanitary drainage systems
• Compressed air and vacuum systems
• Septic tanks and leaching lines

You need to pass with a score of 70% or higher to get your license.

The licensing fee differs depending on the license you are applying for.

Arizona Business Management Exam

The Arizona Business Management Exam is an Arizona Construction Law exam.

The test consists of 80 questions and you will have 3 hours to complete it.

You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam.

You will get 3 attempts to pass this exam.

The exam consists of the following topics

• Business and Management
• Business Mathematics
• Financial Management
• Workmanship Standards
• AROC Rules
• AROC Statutes
• Tax Laws
• Environmental Regulations
• Liens
• Insurance and Bonding
• Contracts
• Safety

The exam fee is $66.

After passing both exams you can apply for one of the licenses the state offers:

• Specialty Residential (R-37)
• Specialty Commercial (C-37)
• Specialty Dual License (CR-37)

Specialty Residential Plumbing License

The Residential plumbing license r-37 will allow you to work on the installation and repair of water and gas piping systems, as well as fire protection as it relates to water sprinkler systems and sewage systems.

This includes all sorts of fixtures, vents, and devices that are common in the industry and solar applications.

The application fee for this license is $80 while the license fee is $270.

There is an additional fee for the recovery fund assessment which is $370.

Specialty Commercial Plumbing License

The C-37 license allows you to work on any installation, alteration, and repair within the plumbing industry solely on property lines, and not on public easements.

The application fee is $100 and the license fee is $480.

Specialty Dual Plumbing License

The CR-37 allows you to work on both C-37 and R-37 scopes of work.

Plumbing Schools in Arizona

Arizona offers some of the finest institutions and apprenticeship programs that will help you on your journey to becoming a plumbing professional.

Maricopa Community Colleges

Maricopa Community College is a community college district with 10 campuses all over the state of Arizona.

To quickly and efficiently prepare you for fieldwork in careers such as plumbing, carpeting, contracting, and more, the college offers year-round start dates for its programs.

The programs consist of both theoretical and practical training preparing you for residential or commercial work.

Depending on the program you chose, you can gain the following certifications:

• Construction Trades: Plumbing
• Construction Trades: Plumbing, Commercial and Residential
• International Residential Code

To learn more about the programs and their duration, credits they provide you with, tuition, how to apply, and more check their website.

Arizona Pipe Trades Apprenticeship

The Arizona Pipe Trades Apprenticeship offers on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced journeymen plumbers as well as taking trade-related classes in their Trade Center.

You don’t need any prior experience to apply to their program.

In order to select the best candidates after applying they give you an in-person aptitude test.

This test doesn’t have or require specific study guides and it consists of personality, logic, and mechanical aptitude questions.

Benefits from joining one of their programs include:

• Health care coverage
• Pension
• 401k
• HRA

To learn more check out their website.

Salary

It is safe to say that plumbers in Arizona are well-paid for their hard work.

Estimated salaries can go anywhere from $46k to $78k with the average annual salary currently being $62308.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Yuma	$64,635
Gilbert	$62,855
Mesa	$62,855
Scottsdale	$62,855
Chandler	$62,855
Tempe	$62,855
Glendale	$62,845
Phoenix	$62,845
Peoria	$62,718
Tucson	$60,348

Regional Salary in Arizona

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC Code 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a classroom education mandatory to get a plumbing license in Arizona?

While the state offers various classroom education programs, you don’t have to attend any of them.

In order to apply for a plumbing license in Arizona you need at least 4 years of experience.

It is up to you if you will get it by attending a certain course or program or by being an apprentice.

How long is my plumbing license valid?

Your plumbing license will be valid for 3 years from the date of its issuance.

After that, you will need to retake the exams and renew your license.

What are the benefits of becoming a plumber in Arizona?

Plumbing in Arizona is an overall rewarding career choice.

The benefits differ depending on where you work and your experience, however in most places you will get health care coverage, a pension fund, and a 401k.

Plumber Info by State