You will need to remember a few important steps that need to be taken if you want to become a plumber there.
When it comes to general contractors in Colorado, the state does not have any regulatory function, and you have to obtain your license at the local or municipal level.
On the other hand, for electricians and plumbers, there are state regulations set by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) that you must meet before being allowed to work as a plumber.
There are three main plumber classifications in Colorado: residential, journeyman, and master plumber.
So as to become any of these, you are required to complete a certain amount of practical work hours and take the licensing exam.
The first step is becoming an apprentice and after completing your apprenticeship, you are free to apply to take the residential plumber licensing exam, which requires two years of full-time experience.
If you manage to successfully pass this exam, you will be qualified to work as a plumber in the state of Colorado, but only in one-, two-, three-, or four-family homes that are no more than two stories high.
You must obtain a journeyman or master status to work as a plumber in huger kinds of buildings or to do any planning.
Our aim with this article is to support and provide crucial information to both experienced plumbers moving from another state or those who are looking to begin their career in plumbing.
You will get all the necessary data related to the requirements you need to meet to become a licensed plumber in Colorado.
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Colorado Plumbing License Reciprocity
The great thing for those plumbers who are already licensed and working in another state is that they will be able to transfer their license and continue working in Colorado, which is not the case in the majority of other states.
Even though there is no direct license reciprocity, Colorado requires all out-of-state plumbers to be evaluated and verified before they can begin working.
You can choose either of the two ways to transfer your plumbing license to Colorado – license by examination and license by endorsement.
To obtain your license by examination, you must:
- Submit an Affidavit of Experience form, which verifies your level of practical plumbing experience;
- Provide a photocopy of your out-of-state license;
- Apply to take a licensing exam;
- Apply for a temporary work permit, which will allow you to work in Colorado for 30 days without an in-state license;
The SPB will either approve or deny your application to take the exam based on the data you provided.
If approved, you will receive further information on how to register for the exam which costs $70.
You are required to get at least a 70 percent score to pass.
If you manage to pass, you will receive information about how to submit a license application that has to be approved by the Division of Professions and Occupations.
Another way is to obtain a plumber’s license by endorsement, that is, by demonstrating that you have the equivalent credentials and qualifications from another state to work as a plumber in Colorado.
The SPB requires you to verify the following:
- You have completed a state- or federally-approved apprenticeship program, or have a comparable amount of experience;
- You have successfully completed a comparable out-of-state plumbing examination;
- You have held a state-issued plumbing license for at least six months.
You are required to submit all of the above information, along with a completed license application and letters verifying your plumbing experience, to the SPB.
If your application is approved, you can begin working as a plumber in Colorado.
Colorado Plumbing License Requirements
You can become a residential, journeyman, or master plumber in Colorado and each status has its own unique requirements.
Once you get a certain number of hours of practical work experience, you become eligible to apply to take the state licensing exam and after passing the exam, you must apply for your license.
To apply to become a residential plumber, you must:
- Have two years, or 3,400 hours, of verified practical work experience
- Complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, which details all of your previous experience
- Pay a $100 application fee
- Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number
To apply to become a journeyman plumber, you must:
- Have four years, or 6,800 hours, of verified practical work experience
- Complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, which details all of your previous experience
- Pay a $120 application fee
- Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number
To apply to become a master plumber, you must:
- Have five years, or 9,780 hours, of verified practical work experience
- Complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, which details all of your previous experience
- Pay a $140 application fee
- Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
All Colorado plumbing license exams are offered by PSI Exams, but what is important to mention is that passing the exam does not guarantee that you will be licensed.
The SPB will either approve or deny your application for a license after you pass the exam.
According to the Candidate Information Bulletin from PSI Exams, you can register for this exam online, over the phone, through the mail, or by fax.
There is a $75 fee for all license exams which can be paid either with a credit card, personal check, company check, cashier’s check, or money order.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
As an apprentice, you must register with DORA, which can be done online with the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations portal.
There is no fee for apprentices, but there is a fee for contractors who must register any new apprentices within 30 days of hire and pay a $30 fee.
An apprentice receives a registration card with a number that will remain the same.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Colorado
There are several plumbing trade schools in Colorado, including:
Salary
The average Plumber salary in Colorado is $57,210 and this amount varies in various parts of the state.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Colorado
City Name Salary Denver $58,030 Colorado Springs $57,112 Aurora $57,992 Broomfield $58,280 Fort Collins $55,861 Arvada $58,030 Pueblo $53,216 Westminster $58,030 Boulder $58,874 Thornton $58,030 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Boulder, CO 360 $67,270 $32.34 $97,670 $45,690 Colorado Springs, CO 1,000 $58,270 $28.01 $76,600 $37,460 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 4,980 $64,860 $31.18 $94,920 $40,170 Fort Collins, CO 1,030 $60,950 $29.3 $82,230 $36,920 Grand Junction, CO 250 $55,610 $26.73 $80,980 $35,800 Greeley, CO 440 $56,080 $26.96 $80,680 $35,050 Pueblo, CO 240 $54,400 $26.16 $79,830 $31,220
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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