Introduction to Residential Plumbing
“The plumber protects the health of the nation by ensuring safe drinking water and proper sanitation.”
That simple statement captures why plumbing is so much more than pipes and wrenches. It’s about safeguarding the health and well-being of every family, every day. Without reliable plumbing, there would be no clean water to drink, bathe in, or cook with, and no safe way to remove waste.
As you step into the world of residential trades, plumbing is often the first system you will work on directly. At Wickstrom Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, we have chosen to make plumbing one of our two primary focuses because we believe in doing a few things exceptionally well. That is how we protect our customers’ homes, build trust in our community, and give our team members a clear path to mastering their craft.
This class will give you an inside look at what residential plumbing involves, what the career journey looks like in Idaho, and how we help our apprentices navigate the licensing process. It is a serious commitment that can change your life for the better.
What does residential plumbing cover?
When you join a plumbing team, you step into work that is critical for safety, comfort, and health. Residential plumbing includes:
- Water supply systems: bringing clean water into every faucet, shower, toilet, and appliance.
- Drain, waste, and vent systems: safely carrying wastewater out of the house.
- Gas piping: supplying natural gas to water heaters, furnaces, and kitchen stoves.
- Fixture installs and upgrades: from faucets and garbage disposals to whole-house water softeners.
As a plumbing apprentice, you will work side by side with experienced technicians and journeymen to learn how these systems are installed, diagnosed, repaired, and maintained. Some days involve small repairs, like fixing a leaking pipe under a sink. Other days it is full repipes or installing water filtration systems. You will learn to handle emergencies, troubleshoot complex problems, and keep families’ homes safe and livable.
Licensing requirements in Idaho
Because plumbing directly impacts public health and sanitation, it is tightly regulated. That means there are clear standards for who can do the work and how they prove their expertise. Here is how it typically works in Idaho.
Apprentice registration
Before you can legally work as a plumbing apprentice in Idaho, you need to register with the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). This official registration means your on-the-job hours and classroom time will count toward your future journeyman license.
You can start that process or learn more at the Idaho Plumbing Board page here.
Classroom instruction and on-the-job training
Unlike quick certifications you see online, becoming a licensed plumber is a multi-year investment in yourself. In Idaho, to qualify for your journeyman test, you will complete:
- 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) which usually takes about four years working under licensed journeymen and contractors.
- 576 hours of approved classroom instruction, often through a state-recognized plumbing program.
At Wickstrom, we help you navigate this entire process. We handle apprentice paperwork, support your school enrollment, and make sure your daily work exposes you to a wide range of real-world plumbing systems. It is a serious path that demands dedication over several years. But it also leads to big personal and financial rewards, giving you a stable, respected career that can last a lifetime.
Journeyman testing and beyond
Once you complete your hours and schooling, you will be eligible to sit for Idaho’s journeyman plumber exam. Passing means you have officially demonstrated your knowledge of plumbing codes, systems, and safe work practices. You will be licensed to work independently on residential jobs.
From there, you will continue learning through periodic continuing education courses that renew your license and keep you up to speed with new code requirements and best practices.
Why choose plumbing as a career?
Plumbing is one of those trades that is always in demand. People cannot put off a broken water heater or a backed-up sewer line the way they might delay buying a new car. That means steady work, even in tough economies.
But it is about more than stability. As you grow in the trade, your earning potential rises significantly, often outpacing college graduates without the burden of student loans. You will also gain practical skills that make you self-reliant, whether you are fixing your own house or helping out a neighbor.
Most importantly, plumbing gives you visible results. You will see the impact of your work every day. Hot water restored to a family’s bathroom. Leaks stopped before they damage a home. A clean water line safely routed to a kitchen. It is a career that blends technical skill, problem solving, and the satisfaction of knowing you have helped someone.
How Wickstrom supports apprentices
At Wickstrom, we take pride in guiding our apprentices every step of the way. We:
- Register you with the state and keep your apprentice licensing current.
- Enroll you in classroom education so your schooling hours accumulate toward your license.
- Pair you with seasoned journeymen who teach more than just technical work. They show you how to talk with customers, handle tough situations, and uphold high standards.
- Track your on-the-job hours to ensure you are always moving forward toward your journeyman license.
We believe the best companies do not just hand you a wrench and send you off. They invest in your education, provide mentorship, and celebrate your progress.
Plumbing is just half the picture
Start your plumbing career today with Wickstrom. Get hands-on training, mentorship, and a clear path to your Idaho journeyman license—apply now!