In the heart of New England where history and modernity intertwine, you can choose a career that is also a bridge between essential and contemporary- plumbing.
The flawless flow of water, the most valuable resource in life, is crucial to Connecticut’s modern lifestyle and historical legacy, and it is the hardworking hands of plumbers that ensure all the plumbing systems in the state are functioning flawlessly.
If this sounds appealing to you, and you want to start a career in plumbing this article will help to inform you on everything you need to know to become a plumber in Connecticut.
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How to Become a Plumber in Connecticut – Step by Step
The state of Connecticut offers a total of 8 different plumbing titles you can get.
Only two of these licenses are unlimited meaning you can work on any plumbing and piping, installation, repair, etc, these are also the licenses most aspiring plumbers choose to apply for.
- P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor
- P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber
Before applying to receive any of the licenses you are required to complete an apprenticeship program or obtain formal education with the same credentials.
The period of your apprenticeship/education depends on what license you want to apply for and it can be anywhere from one to four years of training and experience.
You can get your license by applying to take the trade exam.
For P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor you will also need to take the Business and Law exam.
PSI exams are responsible for conducting all the exams, and they will let you know if you passed the exam within the same day.
Just like in most other states, you will need a score of 70% or higher on both the Trade and the Business and Law exams to pass and apply for your license.
No matter what license you are applying for, you can take the plumbing exams in the following cities in Connecticut:
- Auburn
- Boston
- Fall River
- Milford
- Springfield
- West Hartford
P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber License
To apply for the Unlimited Journeyperson Plumbing license you must have previously completed 8,000 hours of training or education.
This equals a 4-year apprenticeship program, on-the-job training, college degree, or vocational school.
If you meet this criterion you can submit your application for licensure, the application fee is $90.
If you get approved you will go on to take the exam.
The exam fee is $65.
The duration of the exam is 150 minutes (2.5 hours), and the exam consists of 70 questions.
You need a score of 70$ or more to pass.
You will receive your results shortly after taking the exam.
If you have passed you can go on to apply for your license.
The license fee is $120.
You will need to get your license renewed annually and the renewal fee is $120.
P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor
If you want to take your career a step further you can apply to get your Unlimited Plumbing Contractor license.
You must have at least 2 years of experience as a licensed journeyperson, or the equivalent in training/education (6 years of experience/education total).
If you meet this criterion the process for getting the license is almost identical to getting the journeyperson license.
You must apply for licensure and pay the application fee which is $150.
After your application is approved you will go on to the exam portion.
For the Unlimited Plumbing Contractor license, the exam is divided into 2 portions:
- The trade portion
- The Business and Law portion
The exam fee is $65 by portion or $130 total.
The Trade portion of the exam covers all the plumbing-related knowledge you need to have to receive this license.
It consists of 80 questions and the time limit for this portion of the exam is 3 hours.
You must score 70% or higher to pass the exam.
The Business and Law portion of the exam covers topics including tax laws, project management, licensing, contracts, etc.
This portion of the exam has 50 questions and there is a 2-hour time limit to complete the test.
You also need a score of at least 70% percent to pass this portion and get your Contractor license.
Once again you will be notified shortly after the exam if you have passed, and if you have you can go on to get your license.
The license fee is $150, and so is the renewal fee.
Plumbing Schools in Connecticut
Connecticut offers a variety of great options for your apprenticeship program or college degree in the trades, especially plumbing.
Here we’ll share some of the best options you can currently choose from.
Construction Education Center 
The Construction Education Center offers a variety of programs to choose from depending on your needs and qualifications.
They have 4-year apprenticeship programs for beginners, carefully crafted to give you both the on-the-job training and formal education you need to become a highly skilled and qualified plumber.
Each year of the program you will have 180 hours of classroom education which will give you theoretical knowledge in plumbing math, commercial drawings, installations, etc.
They also offer programs for already skilled plumbers to continue their education, as well as license prep courses.
For more information check out their website.
Industrial Management & Training Institute (IMTI)
Industrial Management & Training Institute (IMTI) offers full technician programs for all trades including plumbing.
They offer day and evening programs based on your availability and preference.
The day classes program is a 10-month program and classes run from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm from Monday to Thursday.
The evening program is a 20-month program, and classes run from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm from Monday to Wednesday each week.
The only requirement they have is that you have a high school diploma or the GED equivalent.
If you want to learn more and apply to the course that suits you best visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Construction Education Center | 35A Robert Jackson Way, Plainville, CT 06062, United States |
| Industrial Management & Training Institute (IMTI) | 233 Mill St, Waterbury, CT 06706, United States |
Salary
Plumbing is an in-demand career in Connecticut and with that, it is also highly profitable.
The annual wages for plumbers go anywhere from $50,909 to $86,365 with the average currently being $68,568.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Greenwich | $73,209 |
| Norwalk | $73,209 |
| Stamford | $73,209 |
| Bridgeport | $72,270 |
| Danbury | $70,626 |
| New Haven | $68,943 |
| West Hartford | $68,886 |
| Hartford | $68,886 |
| New Britain | $68,708 |
| Waterbury | $68,581 |
Regional Salary in Connecticut
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 1,060 | $68,130 | $32.76 | $95,470 | $35,920 |
| Danbury, CT | 290 | $65,230 | $31.36 | $93,270 | $35,910 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 1,530 | $68,840 | $33.1 | $96,650 | $35,950 |
| New Haven, CT | 820 | $72,040 | $34.63 | $97,910 | $36,360 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 710 | $67,770 | $32.58 | $83,680 | $43,260 |
| Waterbury, CT | 220 | $65,060 | $31.28 | $92,840 | $37,950 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are all the plumbing titles you can get in Connecticut?
Connecticut offers the following plumbing licenses:
- J-1 Limited Contractor
- J-2 Limited well Pumps and Piping Journeyperson
- P-6 Limited Sewer, Storm, and Water Journeyperson
- P-7 Limited Sewer, Storm, and Water Contractor
- P-8 Limited Gasoline Tank, Piping, and Pump Journeyperson
- P-9 Limited Gasoline Tank, Piping, and Pump Contractor
- P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor
- P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber
Can I work as a Plumber in Connecticut with a license from a different state?
Unfortunately, Connecticut doesn’t have reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction, meaning you can only work as a plumber with a license issued in Connecticut.
How often do I need to renew my plumbing license in Connecticut?
Plumbing license renewals are required annually in the state of Connecticut.
Licenses expire on October 31st every year.
The renewal is done online via mail or on the Elicense website for Connecticut.
In your mail, you will receive a notice for your license renewal between 45 and 30 days before it expires.
Plumber Info by State
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