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How to Become a Licensed Plumber

Are you interested in becoming a licensed plumber in the state of California? Do you know what the requirements are? If this is a career path you’re serious about pursuing, read on to learn more.

What is a Licensed Plumber?

Plumbers are professional trades-persons who deal with the installation and repair of pipes and fittings. In particular, pipes and fittings which carry water or gas, as well as for heating and sanitation systems. Plumbers carry out their work in homes, offices, and factories.

Licensing is a very important aspect of becoming a plumber. This is because once a plumber is licensed they are certified as having the requisite knowledge, expertise, and experience to carry out their work according to recognized plumbing standards.

Licensed plumbers are awarded a compliance certificate which can be shown to their employers. This certificate testifies that a plumber is meeting all relevant plumbing codes, standards, and regulations on the job. They also have insurance which is intended to help their customers in the event that the plumbing work was faulty.

Plumbers that are not licensed may be penalized for carrying out plumbing work without a license.

Interested in Becoming a Plumber? Here’s What You Have to Do

Because plumbing is a trade profession, individuals who wish to become plumbers must meet certain requirements.

Education

Plumbing technology programs are designed to teach students about the fundamentals of plumbing. These courses are typically offered at community colleges or vocational schools and last for two years.

Some of the courses that are offered in these programs include:

  • Welding
  • Plumbing tools
  • Pipe system design
  • The safe use of equipment and tools

Apprenticeship

Alternatively, candidates may also enroll in a plumbing apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are offered by plumbing unions and business and can last anywhere from 2 to 3 years. These programs include both practical experience components, which are often paid training opportunities with licensed plumbers, and formal classes.

For candidates looking to join an apprenticeship, the following requirements apply:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Must have knowledge of how to use computers
  • Must pass a substance abuse test
  • Must know basic math

The California Plumbing License Exam

In order to sit for a plumbing exam, prospective plumbers must have met certain education and experience requirements.

The California Plumbing License Exam is needed in order to work as a licensed contractor in California. Any individual who intends to work as a plumbing contractor that is responsible for constructing, altering, or repairing a building or structure needs to be licensed. This is especially so if the total cost of the job is or exceeds $500.

The California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) is the authority that regulates plumbing contractors.

How do you get a license?

In order to get a plumbing license, candidates must appear for two exams. The first exam relates to trade knowledge in the field of plumbing. The second one covers aspects of law and business related to plumbing. Some study material can be helpful like C36 License Study Guide for exam preparation.

How do you qualify for the exam?

To qualify for the plumbing license exam in California candidates must:

  • Have a minimum of 4 years worth of experience as either a foreman, supervisor, or journeyman
  • At least 1 year worth of practical experience
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Submit a full set of fingerprints
  • Undergo a thorough criminal background check

License Renewal

The California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) requires licensed plumbers to renew their license every two years.

You will not be expected to satisfy any additional education requirements at the time of renewal.

Exam Format

The California Plumbing Exam has five major sections. These are:

  • Planning and Estimating
  • Rough-in Plumbing Systems
  • Finish Plumbing Installations
  • Service, Repair, and Remodel Plumbing Systems
  • Worker and Job Site Safety

After reviewing all of this information, you can decide whether or not you want to give the exam. The California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) offers up to date information about the license application process as well as useful study materials that can help you pass the exam. If becoming a plumber is something you really want to do, you’ll need to go through the process of licensure in California.

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How to Become a Concrete Contractor

How to become a concrete contractor, before you enter the concrete business, bear in mind that the competition is stiff, therefore be ready to work really hard to make it big. Once you are mentally ready for this intensive business, you can initially penetrate the market working on small residential projects and even multi-level commercial jobs. Your first year of operation would be the hardest, but by producing work to the customers’ satisfaction, you can ensure the success of your concrete company.

How to Become a Concrete Contractor in California?

There are certain things you will need to take care of to enter into this business. Have a look:

Education Requirements:

To become a concrete contractor, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in civil engineering or a related field. After that, you will need to obtain a license, which is a requirement in every state.

Experience:

No matter how learned you are on the topic in terms of theory, you will still need to gather a sufficient amount of experience. The industry you are dealing with is vast, and will require an understanding of a lot of difficult concepts and procedures. For this purpose, you are advised to get firsthand experience, both on the field and in terms of office work. This will allow you to work directly with materials, suppliers, homeowners and contractors.

Target Market:

You’ll need to know your target market. You may want to focus on commercial projects such as offices, schools and public works, or you can go for residential work that would involve pouring walkways and patios in people’s yards, etc. Concrete companies that work on both residential and commercial projects are very few, since the tools, skills and expertise required for both vary a great deal. Decide at the start which sector you want to work in.

Business Plan:

You need to have a business plan in place before anything. You will need to know the direction of your business, your goals, and strategies and so on. Even if you can finance the business on your own, having a proper plan will help you remain focused on the important matters at hand. Within this document, add your target market segments, your company’s mission and philosophy and your projected financial data. You can revise the plan semi-annually to keep it updated.

Purchase/Lease Equipment:

This would be particularly important if you are planning to work in the commercial field. For work in this area, you will need to get your hands on heavy duty mixers, vehicles and other required professional quality tools.

Legal Aspects:

This is one of the first things you should take care of when you plan on starting a business. Get in touch with a lawyer and discuss your options. You can consider forming an LLC or a corporation in order to make sure your personal assets are protected. You will also need to obtain liability, company auto insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.

Suppliers:

As soon as you initiate the planning phase of your concrete business, you will need to start looking for trustworthy suppliers. It is common for certified concrete contractors to arrange for a supplier who provides them with pre-mixed concrete. There are a lot of concerns you will need to keep in mind in terms of the supply chain, including scheduling of orders, drying of the concrete, the weather, etc.

Marketing:

To get into the commercial world, you have to start somewhere. You are recommended to start with the Blue Book’s BB Bid System. This is a free book service that lists every contractor in the US according to region. You can get a hand on a copy of this book in any contractor’s office. This helps you list your company for free. Contractors will then begin inviting you to place bids on projects as soon as you are listed. In addition to that, you are advised to meet with local contractors and request your company to be added to their bid list. And as far as the residential work projects go, you should ask any one you know to spread the word about your business and help you grow.

Once you have taken care of all of these matters, you can begin your business activities as a certified concrete contractors.