Becoming a plumber in vibrant Florida offers both a stable and in-demand career and the opportunity to work in various environments from sunny coastal cities to bustling urban centers.
If you have an eye for problem-solving, are willing to work with your hands, and desire to contribute to your community, a career in plumbing might be the perfect choice for you.
In this article, we’ll inform you about everything you need to know to become a plumber in Florida.
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How to Become A Plumber in Florida – Step by Step
To begin your journey into a plumbing career you must be at least 18 years old in Florida.
You must also provide proof of a high school diploma or the GED equivalent.
If you meet these first initial criteria you can go on and apply to begin your plumbing training.
To apply to get your plumber’s license in Florida you need a total of 4 years (8,000 hours) of education/experience).
There are a few different options you can choose from to get the knowledge and experience needed including:
- Apprenticeship program
- On-the-job training under the supervision of an already licensed and experienced plumbing contractor
- Vocational school
- College degree
Usually, aspiring plumbers in Florida combine 2 or more of these options to complete the four years of training.
A common practice is to enroll in a 4-year college degree, equivalent to 3 years of work experience, and gain an additional year of experience applicable to the license you want to apply for.
For the experience in the final year, you can work as a foreman, or a worker under the guidance of a licensed professional.
After getting the knowledge and training needed you can apply to get your plumbing license.
Florida issues 2 different plumbing licenses:
- Certified Plumbing Contractor
- Registered Plumbing Contractor
Certified Plumbing Contractor
As a plumbing contractor, your primary line of work is completing contracts that call for the expertise, resources, and know-how to install, maintain, repair, modify, expand, or, in cases where it’s not against the law, design plumbing.
With a Certified Plumbing Contractor license you can work in any jurisdiction within the state of Florida.
The process for getting your license is similar to the process in most other states.
You need to apply to take the licensing exams.
In Florida, you will take the Trade exam as well as the Business and Financial Management exam.
The Business and Financial Management exam consists of 120 questions and covers topics that include:
- Managing Administrative Duties
- Managing Trade Operations
- Conducting Accounting Functions
- Managing Human Resources
- Complying with Government Regulations
- Establishing the Contracting Business
The Trade consists of 110 questions, and the time limit for the exam is 4.5 hours (270 minutes).
The exam covers the following topics:
- Water Distribution
- Natural Gas Piping
- Medical Gas Piping
- Industrial Piping
- Swimming Pools, Wells and Irrigation
- Solar
- Fire Protection Systems
- Roof and Storm Drainage Systems
- Sanitary Drainage Systems
- Waste Piping Systems
- Venting Systems (DMV)
- Chemical Waste Drainage Systems
- Industrial Water Drainage Systems
- Isometrics
The exam fee is $135, and you need a score of 70% or higher on both exams to pass and get your license.
If you have passed the exams you can go on and apply to get your license.
The licensure fee is $249.
You should renew your Certified Plumbing Contractor license on August 31 every even-numbered year, and the renewal fee is $209.
Registered Plumbing Contractor
The main difference between a Certified Plumbing Contractor and a Registered Plumbing Contractor is that the registered contractors can only work within the jurisdiction in which they are registered.
The process of applying for and getting your license is the same as Certified Plumbing contractor.
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the plumbing exam.
The license fee is $309, and the renewal fee is $209.
License renewal is done on August 31 every odd-numbered year.
Plumbing Schools in Florida
Florida offers a variety of college degrees and apprenticeship programs for aspiring plumbing contractors.
Here are some of the best options you can choose from to start your plumbing journey.
Sheridan Technical College 
Sheridan Technical College offers a program focused on training in plumbing for residential, commercial, and industrial systems.
It is a full 10-month program that spans 36 weeks.
The program consists of 1080 hours total.
The same program is offered multiple times a year starting in January, March, June, August, and October.
It is a full-time program, meaning you will be required to attend from Monday to Friday, and the classes usually start at 7 am and end at 1:45 pm.
The approximate cost of the program is $3,999.
For more information and how to apply visit their website.
Manatee Technical College 
Manatee Technical College offers a program called Building Trades & Construction Design Technology that offers certifications in all trades including plumbing.
This program aims to get students ready for jobs or further education in the building construction sector.
The courses in this program are designed to give students the necessary technical knowledge and abilities to prepare for professions in the Architecture and Construction career cluster as well as for higher education.
The curriculum is rigorous and well-organized, meeting high academic standards.
The same program is offered twice throughout the year starting in January and August.
You will be required to attend classes from Monday to Friday starting at 8 am and ending at 3 pm.
The total estimated price for this program is $6,650.
To learn more about the program, how to apply, and separate fees visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Sheridan Technical College | 5400 Sheridan St, Hollywood, FL 33021, United States |
| Manatee Technical College | 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, FL 34203 |
Salary
In sunny Florida plumbers get fair pay for the hard and demanding work they do.
Annual salaries vary between $44873 and $76125 with the average currently being $60437.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $61,780 |
| Hollywood | $61,780 |
| Miami | $61,742 |
| Hialeah | $61,455 |
| Pembroke Pines | $61,379 |
| St. Petersburg | $60,565 |
| Tampa | $60,552 |
| Jacksonville | $60,488 |
| Orlando | $60,432 |
| Tallahassee | $57,319 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 1,860 | $51,130 | $24.58 | $62,570 | $36,800 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 440 | $51,220 | $24.63 | $62,140 | $37,290 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 630 | $44,870 | $21.57 | $59,320 | $35,120 |
| Gainesville, FL | 410 | $50,160 | $24.11 | $62,350 | $35,990 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 140 | $47,610 | $22.89 | $60,850 | $35,260 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,310 | $53,140 | $25.55 | $64,680 | $37,950 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 650 | $50,040 | $24.06 | $64,360 | $34,060 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 5,990 | $55,640 | $26.75 | $70,940 | $39,010 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 760 | $53,490 | $25.72 | $66,050 | $37,250 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 1,420 | $53,470 | $25.71 | $63,800 | $38,200 |
| Ocala, FL | 350 | $48,630 | $23.38 | $58,940 | $36,350 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 3,640 | $52,720 | $25.35 | $66,220 | $37,670 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 990 | $53,400 | $25.67 | $67,080 | $37,670 |
| Panama City, FL | 400 | $49,290 | $23.7 | $61,350 | $35,900 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 600 | $49,740 | $23.91 | $63,050 | $35,200 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 590 | $51,410 | $24.72 | $64,270 | $34,950 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 260 | $52,460 | $25.22 | $61,250 | $37,890 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 230 | $51,070 | $24.56 | $66,260 | $36,100 |
| Sebring, FL | 80 | $48,100 | $23.13 | $58,860 | $34,710 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 440 | $47,760 | $22.96 | $60,330 | $35,010 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 3,990 | $51,600 | $24.81 | $63,040 | $36,940 |
| The Villages, FL | 190 | $51,370 | $24.7 | $62,040 | $35,670 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Florida?
Yes, to legally work as a plumbing contractor in Florida, you need to get one of the licenses the state offers.
Who issues the plumbing licenses in Florida?
All plumbing licenses in Florida are issued by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Where can I take the Florida plumber exam?
The plumbing license exams are being taken in Kissimmee, central Florida.
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