To take up a career in plumbing, one has to have the required qualifications from a reputed institution. As this is a specialized field, it requires an immense amount of practical and theoretical knowledge. However, once you become a registered plumber, you have a career that will be in demand as long as there are old homes that need plumbing repairs and new homes that need plumbing installed!

There are a number of institutes which cater to this career option and provide in-depth information, guidance and counseling. In Washington, plumbers need a certification from the labor and industries department. You can apply for and get or renew your plumbers certification online. This could be for a Trainee Plumber, a Journeyman Plumber - whose specialties would be residential or backflow or for a Medical Gas Endorsement. These forms could be downloaded, filled in and submitted to any L&I field office. The dates for submitting the forms, the exams and the fees payable are all available online.

The Texas state board has apprentice programs and all an applicant needs for enrollment together with his filled-out form is his Social Security Number, Drivers License Number or State Issued ID Number and his current employers address and phone number. A random expiry date will be issued after the first plumbers apprentice registration. Then, the onus is on the plumber to renew his registration every year. An apprentice plumber can only work under the supervision of a fully registered master plumber.

One has to be familiar with the Plumbing License Law and Board rules. A copy of the laws governing apprentice plumbers and what they can and cannot do would be good to keep by ones side. There are various application levels and review courses including a special quota where applicants with criminal convictions are considered. All in all, its a career with a lot of potential!