If you’re searching for a satisfying and practical career in North Carolina, think about becoming a plumber.
This is a trade that sometimes goes undetected yet is extremely important to our daily lives.
Plumbing is the foundation of modern infrastructure, ensuring clean water supply and efficient wastewater removal.
If this sounds like the career you want to pursue, let this article serve you as a guide on how to become a plumber in North Carolina.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in North Carolina – Step by Step
To begin your plumbing journey in North Carolina, you can choose from the following options:
- enroll to get a college degree/trade school/certification program for at least 2-years
- enroll in an apprenticeship program through a local union or trade organization
- become an apprentice plumber to an already licensed professional who will be your supervisor and mentor
After gaining the required experience and formal education, you can apply for one of the licenses the state issues which fits your expertise level.
The state issues the following licenses:
- Plumbing Contractor
- Plumbing Technician
Plumbing Contractor
When it comes to Contractors there are 3 types of Contractor licenses you can get in North Carolina.
- P-I (Plumbing -Class I) Contractor (can work on potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings)
- P-II (Plumbing-Class II) Contractor (can work on potable water and drain/waste/vent piping systems in single-family detached dwellings)
- RLP (Restricted Limited Plumbing) Contractor (can work on exterior building sewer piping/exterior water service piping/water filtration systems)
To be eligible to apply for any of the contracting licenses you must have at least 4,000 hours (2 years) of practical on-the-job experience.
Half of this time can be spent in academic studies/vocational/trade school or similar courses, however, it cannot be more than 2,000 hours, which equals to 30 semester hours.
To begin your licensure journey you must submit a complete application form to take the contractor exam along with proof of your experience and a background check to the Board.
After that, you must wait for your application to be approved and take the exam within 30 days of your application being approved.
The exam application fee is $100.
The examination consists of 2 exams in total.
- Plumbing Contractor Exam which has a 4-hour time limit
- Business and Law Exam which has a 1.5-hour time limit
If you pass the exams you can go on to receive your license.
The licensure fee for all contractors is $150.
Plumbing Technician
When it comes to Technicians there are also 3 types of Technician licenses you can get in North Carolina.
- Plumbing Technician
- Plumbing State & Local Government Technician (SLGT-P)
- Plumbing Private Education Institutional Technician (PEIT-P)
Most aspiring plumbers in North Carolina only need a plumbing technician license.
Before applying for the Technician license you must have at least 3,000 hours of on-the-job experience (18 months).
To begin your licensure journey you must submit a complete application form to take the contractor exam along with proof of your experience and a background check to the Board.
After that, you must wait for your application to be approved and take the exam within 30 days of your application being approved.
The exam application fee is $100.
The plumbing technician exam has a 4-hour time limit.
If you are not an already licensed contractor in North Carolina, you are required to also take the Business and Law portion of the exam.
The business and law portion of the exam has a 1.5-hour time limit.
If you pass the examination you can go on and get your Technician license.
The licensing fee is $75.
PlumbingSchoolsin North Carolina
North Carolina offers a variety of schooling and apprenticeship options for its aspiring plumbers.
NAIT – School of Skilled Trades
School of Skilled Trades offers both apprenticeship programs and diploma and certificate programs.
Apprenticeship program
One way to acquire the knowledge required to become a skilled tradesperson is through apprenticeship.
This is accomplished by combining classroom instruction with on-the-job experience.
The majority of apprenticeship programs run for three to four periods, with an average training term of eight weeks.
Additionally, each period has a set number of hours allocated for on-the-job training; as a result, most apprentices finish one period every calendar year.
By completing this apprenticeship you will receive the Journeyman Certificate.
The Plumber apprenticeship program consists of:
- 4 years (four 12-month periods)
- minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training each year
- 8 weeks of technical training each year
To learn more about the program, fees, how to apply and more visit their website.
Diploma and Certificate Program – Advanced Plumbing Technology
The Advanced Plumbing Technology program is a diploma program for aspiring plumbers.
This is a hybrid program, that usually takes place on weekdays.
It’s a 2-year, full-length program.
The criteria that candidates must obtain before applying consist of:
- Grade 11 Language Arts (English 20-2)
- Grade 11 Mathematics (Math 20-2, Math 20-3, or Applied Math 20)
- Grade 10 Science (Science 10)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Within the program, you will obtain knowledge in the following fields:
- industry standards, legislation, and workplace expectations
- design, installation, and maintenance of all relevant systems, including:
- gas systems
- hydronic heating systems and gas appliances
- potable and non-potable water systems
- drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) systems
- design, interpretation, and conversion of drawings for plumbing installations
- mathematical concepts for plumbing installations, and
- effective written and verbal communication tools
The tuition for this program is $248 per credit.
To learn more about the course, and how to apply visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| NAIT - School of Skilled Trades | 1440 S Briggs Ave, Durham, NC 27707, United States |
Salary
North Carolina pays its plumbers fair wages for their hard work to ensure the community’s plumbing systems are running smoothly.
Annual wages vary anywhere from $45717 to $77550.
The current estimated average wage for plumbers in North Carolina is $61572.
Charlotte, Raleigh, and Cary tied for the current highest annual average at $62655, with Durham right behind at $62142.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $62,655 |
| Raleigh | $62,515 |
| Cary | $62,515 |
| Durham | $62,142 |
| High Point | $61,662 |
| Winston-Salem | $61,508 |
| Greensboro | $61,296 |
| Wilmington | $59,077 |
| Asheville | $58,957 |
| Fayetteville | $58,853 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 590 | $57,420 | $27.61 | $71,970 | $37,700 |
| Burlington, NC | 230 | $54,030 | $25.98 | $73,160 | $36,010 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 4,010 | $55,040 | $26.46 | $75,410 | $37,500 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 680 | $57,500 | $27.64 | $79,270 | $40,510 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 360 | $50,490 | $24.28 | $66,170 | $35,880 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 200 | $52,950 | $25.46 | $70,000 | $33,490 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,200 | $52,830 | $25.4 | $64,740 | $38,350 |
| Greenville, NC | 280 | $55,080 | $26.48 | $67,110 | $37,250 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 270 | $51,740 | $24.88 | $71,210 | $37,650 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 280 | $48,800 | $23.46 | $64,700 | $35,140 |
| New Bern, NC | 150 | $50,060 | $24.07 | $72,170 | $30,730 |
| Raleigh, NC | 2,830 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $75,180 | $35,480 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 120 | $52,800 | $25.38 | $69,230 | $31,650 |
| Wilmington, NC | 520 | $53,200 | $25.58 | $72,800 | $36,350 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 840 | $51,780 | $24.9 | $65,870 | $36,820 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I renew my North Carolina plumbing license?
In North Carolina, plumbing licenses expire annually on December 31st, so you should get them renewed annually before December 31st.
Must I get licensed to work as a plumber in North Carolina?
Yes, to legally perform any plumbing work without supervision you must get your plumbing license in North Carolina.
Where can I take the plumbing exams in North Carolina?
You can take the plumbing exams in the following cities in North Carolina:
- Asheville
- Charlotte
- Fayetteville
- Greenville
- Wilmington
- Winston-Salem
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