How to Become a Plumber in Vermont

Have you ever had a leaking sink and the only thing you could do was to call a professional?

The hardworking hands of the plumbers make sure no pipes are leaking, water flows easily and so much more.

If you are from/living in Vermont and think that you’d excel in a career that involves practical skills, problem-solving, and helping people, plumbing might be the right career for you.

In this article, we’ll share with you the basics you need to know about plumbing in Vermont such as the education needed and potential earnings to help you on your quest to find out if this is the path for you.

How to Become a Plumber in Vermont – Step by Step

To begin your plumbing journey in Vermont, you must have a High School Diploma or the GED equivalent.

Just like in most other states, Vermont requires you to complete a certain level of training before you can get licensed as a plumber.

You can choose to

• enroll in a Board- approved apprenticeship program
• or work directly under the supervision of a licensed plumber, who will serve as your mentor

After starting your training you must register as an apprentice plumber with the Vermont Department of Labor.

You will renew this registration annually until you have completed your training.

In addition to your practical training, you might want to back it up with some sort of formal education.

You can achieve this by

• enrolling in a community/technical college
• enrolling in a vocational school
• enrolling in a plumbing-specific certificate program

Vermont doesn’t require you to obtain any additional formal education, aside from your on-the-job training, however, it is a good idea if you want to back up your professionalism with some certificate or degree.

After completing the necessary training, in Vermont, you can apply for one of the following plumbing licenses

• Journeyman Plumber License
• Master Plumber License

Journeyman Plumber License

To apply for the Journeyman Plumber License you must submit a certificate Certificate of Completion provided by the Vermont State Apprenticeship Council that proves you have at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job experience.

You must submit an application form and pay the $90 application fee before you can take the Journeyman plumbing exam.

The Journeyman plumbing exam is an open-book exam that consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and has a 3-hour time limit.

Topics on the exam include:

• Plumbing Fixtures and Terminology
• Plumbing Fundamentals
• Water Distribution
• Drainage Requirements
• Traps, Cleanouts, and Interceptors
• Special Requirements
• Vent Requirements
• Plan Reading
• Local Amendments

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

If you have passed the exam you will go on to receive your Journeyman Plumber License.

Master Plumber License

To apply for the Master Plumber License in Vermont, you must be an already licensed Journeyman Plumber for at least a year.

This equals 14,000 hours of on-the-job experience combining your 12,000 hours of training, and 2,000 hours of work as a Journeyman Plumber.

The candidates must submit a copy of their Journeyman license, along with the Master Plumber application form and the $120 application fee.

The Master Plumber exam is an open-book exam that consists of 105 multiple-choice questions and has a 4-hour time limit.

Topics on the exam include:

• Plumbing Fixtures and Terminology
• Plumbing Fundamentals
• Water Distribution
• Drainage Requirements
• Traps, Cleanouts, and Interceptors
• Special Requirements
• Vent Requirements
• Plan and Analysis
• Local Amendments

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

If you pass the exam you will go on to receive your Master Plumber License.

Plumbing Schools in Vermont

The process of becoming a plumber in Vermont is not an easy one, it takes time, devotion, and determination.

Although the path is rocky, Vermont offers some of the best apprenticeship programs, schools, and courses to ensure its aspiring plumbers become highly skilled professionals.

Stafford Technical Center

Stafford Technical Center offers the Electrical/Plumbing Program which is designed to prepare students to enter the trades business as an apprentice or continue studies at the college level.

The program is a perfect mix of classroom education and practical work at the school’s residential building project as well as other projects combined with community service activities to offer a well-rounded experience.

The requirements for joining this program include:

• Basic math skills (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers)
• understand and work with fractions
• basic customary and metric measuring skills
• able to read a tape measure
• ability to perform physical labor on the job site and in the classroom
• competency with fine and gross motor skills

Master Plumber and a Gold Certified Oil Heat Technician Chris Tooley is one of the instructors of this program.

Students who complete 90% of the Core Competencies will receive a certificate from Stafford Technical Center.

To learn more about the program, classes, tuition, etc, visit their website.

Salary

Plumbing is a well-respected and well-paid career choice in Vermont.

The annual salary for plumbers in Vermont can vary between $45860 and $77792.

The current average annual salary in Vermont is $61764.

It is no surprise that Hartford is the city with the highest annual average salaries with an estimated $65369.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Hartford	$65,369
Brattleboro	$65,155
Bennington	$64,857
Rutland	$63,724
Burlington	$63,284
Essex	$63,284
Colchester	$63,284
South Burlington	$63,284
Milton	$63,245
Barre	$62,707

Regional Salary in Vermont

* 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

Do I have to have a license to work as a plumber in Vermont?

To legally work as a plumber in Vermont, you must complete the necessary training and obtain at least a Journeyman Plumber License.

How much does it cost to renew my Vermont plumbing license?

Journeyman Plumber License renewal – $90

Master Plumber License renewal – $120

When should I renew my Vermont plumbing license?

Plumbing licenses should be renewed every 2 years in Vermont.

To learn more visit the Division of Fire and Safety.

Plumber Info by State