To boost the plumbing workforce, ease licensing rules, some say

Across the U.S., some groups are advocating for cities and states to ease licensing rules to get more plumbers in the field. 

What’s happening: In Michigan, for example, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in 2025 revised its test formats, giving applicants three exam-type options: Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, pro press, or copper sweat project. 

• “Giving the candidate the option of choosing from three different materials makes us hopeful that the pass/fail rate will improve significantly and will provide the candidates with the confidence to pass the exam,” Michigan Plumbing Chief Kole Myers told a local publication. 
• In St. Louis, where regulations currently require a one-to-one ratio of apprentices to licensed journeyman plumbers, some contractors are pushing to loosen the ratio to five apprentices per journeyman. 
• And in Louisiana, a bill moving through the legislature would dissolve the state plumbing board and move licensing under a state board of contractors. It would also effectively halve the training requirements to become a journeyman or master plumber.

The big picture: “Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

• Meanwhile, the Department of Labor has taken steps to make it easier for U.S. businesses to set up new registered apprenticeship programs. 

Yes, but: Easing rules is controversial. Some argue that diluting training standards could lead to under-qualified workers on the job. 

• Christopher “Brian” Chumley, of Local 562, told the St. Louis Business Journal that with a weakened apprentice-to-journeyman ratio, plumbing companies that hire non-union labor for residential service would use the lower-paid apprentices to increase profits.
• “To properly train an individual, you’re going to have one guy training four guys?” he said. “I don’t agree with lessening the license. I’ve trained my whole life to install plumbing correctly.”