If you are looking to become a plumber in Louisiana, you must abide by the contracting laws set by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBL). Like electrical contractors in the state, before obtaining a license, those looking to become a plumber must start as an apprentice, upgrade to a journeyman, then finish at a master level. If you do not wish to become a journeyman or master, then you may become a plumbing tradesman, meaning you can perform maintenance on existing plumbing.
If you will be performing specialty services or jobs valued over $10,000, you will need to obtain a Louisiana general contracting license. It is important to understand the requirements needed for this type of license, as it is required in addition to your plumbing license.
Louisiana Plumbing License Reciprocity
If you are looking to become a contractor in Louisiana and hold an out-of-state license, Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- And Utah
Louisiana Master Plumber License Requirements
To qualify for a master plumber license in Louisiana, tradesmen must have a current Louisiana journeyman plumber license. There are no alternatives to this requirement.
Master Plumber Exam
The exam for the master plumber license is held every year during February, May, August, and November at the SPBL Administrative office. All journeymen must complete an application to take the exam, which must be accompanied by a $110 exam fee. An incomplete application will delay the process. Books that will be needed for the exam include:
- Title 51 Public Health Sanitary Code (Part XIII)
- 2000 Louisiana Plumbing Code
- And NASCLA Louisiana Master Plumbers Guide to Business Law & Project Management 1st Edition
After passing the exam, the applicant will need to complete an Initial License form and return it with a $190 active fee and a $40 inactive fee. If they do not complete the form or send the payment within 90 days, they will forfeit their scores.
Louisiana Journeyman Plumber License Requirements
As of 2017, Louisiana requires all plumbers looking to obtain their journeyman license to complete an apprenticeship program.
However, there may be an exception for plumbers who have 8,000 hours or five years of experience under a licensed plumbing company. Individuals with these alternative requirements can participate in the waiver process, for which they will need proof of W2’s or official payroll documentation.
Journeyman Plumber Exam
After completion of the program, tradesmen must take a journeyman examination which is given by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana’s Administrative office. The exams are held every year during January, April, July, and October and cost $135. The examination consists of 80 questions, a three-hour written exam, and a hands-on portion.
It can take applicants up to two weeks to receive their results through the mail. If they have passed, the applicant will need to fill out an Initial License form with a $50 fee within 90 days.
After they apply for the examination, plumbers can obtain a temporary work permit which allows them to work as a journeyman plumber until their exam date. Every applicant can only receive one permit, so if they fail the exam, they will not be able to work until they pass. This form is available in the journeyman application and costs $75 to obtain.
Louisiana Plumbing Tradesman License Requirements
In Louisiana, a tradesman is a person allowed to repair existing plumbing systems in one- and two-family houses. They are not allowed to do the work of a journeyman plumber, even with supervision.
To become a tradesman plumber, the applicant must have a current apprenticeship as well as completed two years or 4,000 hours of manual labor under supervision.
Plumbing Tradesman Exam
The tradesman exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions, a three-hour written exam, and a 30 minute practical exam. All parts of the exam are open book and also requires a $135 fee. Reference materials allowed during the exam include:
- International Plumbing Code 2012 edition;
- Louisiana State Revised Statutes RS 37:1252 – 1378, RS 40:4 – 1730.53 (MARCH 2017);
- Louisiana Title 46, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part LV. Plumbers;
- Title 17, Construction, Part I. Uniform Construction Code (October 2016);
- Atmos Energy Website, Cross Bore Brochure;
- Louisiana 811;
- And the National Electrical Code, 2011 Edition.
If the applicant passes, they need to complete the Initial License form and return it with a $50 fee. If they do not complete the form or send the payment within 90 days, they will forfeit their scores.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
The Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of Louisiana (PHCCL) provides an apprenticeship program that is approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Qualifications for these programs include the following:
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age;
- Applicants must be physically capable of performing essential functions;
- Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED;
- Applicants must be employed by an approved plumbing contracting company;
Applicants that demonstrate previous skills or knowledge that would have been received in the apprenticeship program may be given credit. Most importantly, all apprentices must be employed during the enrollment period.
Louisiana Plumbing Apprentice Jobs
All apprenticeship programs must be approved by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Those looking to apply to these programs can filter by region, city, and trade to find the most suitable ones. They will also need to complete an Apprentice Registration Application and submit it with the appropriate fee.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Louisiana
Acadian Plumbers Association (APA)
Tuition: $700/semester for APA members; $900/semester for non-members
Location: St. Lafayette, LA
Contact Information: Email — acadianaplumbersassociation@gmail.com; Phone — 337-230-6891
Baton Rouge Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #198
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Contact Information: Tim Curry — (225) 355-9938 — Fax (225)355-9110 — ua198edu@bellsouth.net
New Orleans Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #60
Location: New Orleans, LA
Contact Information: D.J. Berger — (504) 885-8033 — dberger@local60.com
Lake Charles Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #106
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Contact Information: Richard Polk — (337) 436-2444 — lu106tcl@uanet.org
Shreveport Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #141
Location: Shreveport, LA
Contact Information: Roy Shane — (318) 683-1664 — Rshane141@comcast.net
Monroe Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #659
Location: Monroe, LA
Contact Information: John Thomas — (318) 322-4520 — Lu6559bm@uanet.org
Plumbers and Steamfitters U.A. Local #247
Location: Alexandria, LA
Contact Information: Kenneth Gorum — (318) 442-9923 — Lu247bm@yahoo.com
Louisiana Professional License Search
The SPBL provides a roster of licensed plumbers available. Users can search by license type, parish, name, license number, company name, and address.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Plumbing Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Louisiana, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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