If you are interested in obtaining a master plumbers license in NYC, you will need to be ready to dedicate a significant amount of time and patience to the task. Learning how to become a master plumber may be one of the biggest challenges of your life. But with hard work and dedication, you too can join the ranks of the New York City plumbers.
The first step to becoming a master plumber in NYC is making sure you qualify for the exam including the first four guidelines:
- Be at least eighteen years old
- Be able to read and write in English
- Have a good moral character
- Be in such physical shape that will allow you to work as a licensee
There are five other qualification which the applicant must meet at least one of. These details can be found here.
Assuming you qualify up to this point the next step is to apply for the license including a written and practical exam.
First you will apply to take the written portion of the test, at this stage you must complete an application and pay a fee to the DOB before they allow you to schedule the written test.
Once you pass the written test it is time to prepare for the practical which includes another set of applications and a processing fee payable to the NYC Department of Buildings. It is also important to be mindful that you have only 24 months from the date of passing the written exam to pass the practical. If there is a time lapse or you have to take the practical more than once and it extends beyond 24 months, you are required to take the written test again.
Congratulations! At this point if you have passed both the written and practical test, you should be extremely proud of yourself as there are many applicants on a yearly basis that will never get to this point!
Most people assume at this stage things are easy and you are in the clear, not the case. You now must begin the background investigation stage which is a tedious and timely part of the process. The licensing board wants to know everything about you at this stage and will review all details as required. Some of the details include an investigation questionnaire, physical exam forms, experience verification forms, social security card, birth certificate, pay stubs etc.
Now it is time to apply for your license card, the moment we have all been waiting for! It is not time to celebrate just yet, you will go through another round of review including a plethora of information specific to your business and how it is setup with the state, insurance etc.
Believe it or not, at this stage, people are actually denied a plumbing license in NYC if the board becomes aware that you have falsified or misunderstood any of the previous qualifications. If you receive the formal “OK” it is safe to take a deep breath and start to enjoy the process a bit.
It is now time to take the picture for your license, wait for the formal seal and plate to be released!
