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Plumbing is a skilled trade that opens the door to a lifelong career with opportunities for advancement and the potential to become your own boss. This in-demand profession offers stability and good wages, but before you can become a practicing plumber in Connecticut, you must obtain a license from the Department of Consumer Protection.

What licenses are available, and what are the requirements to obtain your preferred license? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Connecticut Plumbing Licenses

Connecticut offers two licensing options to advance your career. They are the P-1 unlimited plumbing contractor and the P-2 unlimited journeyperson plumber license.

P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber

With this license, you are permitted to install, inspect, maintain, repair, replace, and alter plumbing and piping work for gas, water, sewage, and fire prevention systems, among other approved work outlined by section 20-330 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

However, you may only perform these activities under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor.

You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for this license. Candidates for licensure are required to complete 8,000 hours (four years) of on-the-job training or approved education, and you must register with the Connecticut Department of Labor to track your apprenticeship (or other qualifying) hours.

When you have completed this requirement, you must submit an application, pay applicable fees, and pass state exams to obtain your license.

P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor

With a P-1 license, you may perform the same tasks as a P-2 license holder but without supervision. You are also permitted to own a plumbing business, bid on jobs, pull permits, and supervise journeyperson plumbers and apprentices.

You must complete two years of experience as a journeyperson plumber and pass state exams to qualify for this license.

What to Expect From State Exams

Both P-1 and P-2 licenses require that you pass a trade exam. The P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber Exam consists of 70 questions covering topics such as:

• General plumbing regulations
• Gas systems
• Cleanouts
• Piping, valves, and controls
• Fixtures and equipment
• Water supply
• Water heaters
• Drain, waste, and vent
• Hangers and supports
• Traps and interceptors
• Backflow
• Isometric analysis
• Developed length
• Safety and excavation
• Joints and connections
• Water treatment

You will have 2.5 hours to complete this exam.

The P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor Exam covers the same topics as the P-2 exam but features 80 questions, which you will have three hours to answer.

For both licenses, applicants must also pass the Business Law Exam, featuring 50 questions on the following topics:

• Licensing
• Lien law
• Financial management
• Estimating and bidding
• Labor laws
• Tax laws
• Contracts
• Project management
• Risk management
• Business organization
• Environmental and safety

You will have two hours to complete this test. All exams are open-book, and you must answer a minimum of 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Preparing for Your Exams

Preparing for trade exams is easy with the help of an approved exam prep program designed for working professionals. Look for a program that offers convenient self-paced learning with 24/7 online access to course materials.

Are you ready to advance your career with a P-1 unlimited plumbing contractor or P-2 unlimited journeyperson plumber license in Connecticut? Contact RocketCert now to learn more.