If you choose to become a plumber in Virginia, you are in for a successful and rewarding career.
Skilled plumbers are in high demand in Virginia due to the state’s dry climate where water conservation and effective plumbing are very important.
As a plumber, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that various systems are functioning properly, from residential plumbing to commercial and industrial installations.
In this article, we’ll share with you everything you need to know on how to become a plumber in Virginia.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in Virginia – Step by Step
You will begin your plumbing journey in Virginia as an apprentice plumber.
As an apprentice, you will be working as an entry-level worker under the supervision of already licensed professionals.
In addition, you must obtain a certain level of classroom education.
So, your training will most likely be a combination of two or more of the following options:
- enrolling in a Board-approved apprenticeship program
- working directly under the supervision of an already licensed professional, who will also be your mentor
- enrolling in a technical or community college/vocational school/plumbing-specific program
Virginia issues the following plumbing licenses:
- Journeyman Plumber License
- Master Plumber License
Journeyman Plumber License
To apply for the Journeyman Plumber License in Virginia you must be at least 18 years old.
You must also meet one of the following on-the-job training and classroom education requirements:
- 4 years of on-the-job training/240 hours of school
- 5 years of on-the-job training/160 hours of school
- 6 years of on-the-job training /80 hours of school
- 7 years of on-the-job training/40 hours of school
You must submit the application form and pay the $130 application fee.
In addition, there is a $100 examination fee.
The Journeyman Plumbing exam is an open-book exam that consists of 80 questions and has a 210-minute time limit.
Topics on the exam include:
- Standards of Practice
- Standards of Conduct
- Renewal and Reinstatement
- Definitions
- Qualification for Licensure
- Revocation of Licensure
- Drainage Waste and Vents
- Water Supply Systems
- Backflow Prevention
- Storm Drainage Systems
- Plumbing Fixtures
- General Regulations
- Interceptors and Traps
You will receive your results immediately after completing 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 you must be at least 18 years old.
You can apply for the license if you meet one of the following requirements:
- have at least 1 year of experience as a licensed journeyman in the trade
- 10 years of practical experience in the trade verified by individuals who supervised the work (union, organization, licensed plumber)
- Possess a current journeyman or master plumbing license from an out-of-state licensing body
You must submit the application form and pay the $130 application fee.
In addition, there is a $125 examination fee.
Just like the Journeyman exam, the Master Plumber exam is also an open-book exam that consists of 80 questions and has a 210-minute time limit.
Topics on the exam include:
- Standards of Practice
- Standards of Conduct
- Renewal and Reinstatement
- Definitions
- Qualification for Licensure
- Revocation of Licensure
- Drainage Waste and Vents
- Water Supply Systems
- Backflow Prevention
- Storm Drainage Systems
- Plumbing Fixtures
- General Regulations
- Interceptors and Traps
You will receive your results immediately after completing the exam.
If you have passed the exam you will go on to receive your Master Plumber License.
Plumbing Schools in Virginia
Becoming a plumber in Virginia requires a lot of dedication and effort.
And for your devotion the state makes sure you get the best training and education by providing you with the best schooling and apprenticeship options.
Virginia Technical Academy
Virginia Technical Academy offers Plumbing Training courses that ensure you are set for the field work ahead.
They offer many different courses to cater to your needs.
Their courses consider different skill levels and so much more.
They have courses in English, Spanish, and more languages to come.
Each course is around 2 to 3 hours and has a few lessons in it.
To learn more about any of their courses, the tuition, and how to apply visit their website.
Virginia Technical Institute
Virginia Technical Institute offers a 4-level Plumbing program with multiple different modules.
Their program takes approximately 2 years to complete.
Within this program, you will learn about:
- introduction to the plumbing profession
- plumbing safety
- plumbing tools
- plumbing math, and plumbing drawings
- fixtures, and faucets
- introduction to drain, waste, and vent systems
- introduction to water distribution systems
- reading commercial drawings and so much more
These are their fees:
- CORE & Level 1 Tuition – $700 each
- Levels 2-4 Tuition – $1400 each
- CORE & Level 1 Lab fees – $150 each
- Welding Levels 2-4 Lab fees – $350 each
- Levels 2-4 Trade Lab fees – $250 each
- CORE book – $80
- Level 1 books – $90 each
- Levels 2-4 books – $120 each
To learn more about their program, and how to apply visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Virginia Technical Academy | 809 Omni Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606, United States |
| Virginia Technical Institute | 201 Ogden Rd, Altavista, VA 24517, United States |
Salary
Plumbers always have their hands full with work in the vibrant state of Virginia, and they are paid greatly for it.
The annual salary for plumbers in Virginia can vary between $47336 and $80296.
The current average annual salary in Virginia is $63753.
It is no surprise that Alexandria itself is the city with the highest annual average salaries with an estimated $71398.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $71,398 |
| Richmond | $63,355 |
| Virginia Beach | $61,315 |
| Hampton | $60,725 |
| Newport News | $60,725 |
| Norfolk | $60,392 |
| Portsmouth | $60,392 |
| Chesapeake | $60,315 |
| Roanoke | $59,296 |
| Lynchburg | $58,827 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 110 | $46,840 | $22.52 | $60,830 | $31,450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 270 | $52,670 | $25.32 | $64,480 | $35,980 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 290 | $53,860 | $25.89 | $77,690 | $38,180 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 390 | $49,570 | $23.83 | $67,020 | $31,940 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,170 | $53,370 | $25.66 | $68,250 | $36,880 |
| Roanoke, VA | 460 | $48,770 | $23.45 | $60,210 | $33,260 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 140 | $46,700 | $22.45 | $61,330 | $35,360 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 3,600 | $55,240 | $26.56 | $66,500 | $37,250 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 130 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $65,670 | $36,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take the plumbing exams in Virginia?
Plumbing exams are being taken in the following cities in Virginia:
- Charlottesville, VA
- Richmond, VA
- Roanoke, VA
- Vienna, VA
- Virginia Beach, VA
In addition, you can take the Virginia Plumbing exams out of the state in:
- Johnson City, TN
- Salisbury, MD
When should I renew my Virginia plumbing license?
Virginia plumbing licenses expire every 3 years, so you should have it renewed every 3 years by the last day of the initial issuance month.
Who is responsible for plumbing exams and licensures in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors is responsible for all plumbing exams and licensures in Virginia, alongside PSI Exams which issue the exams.
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