Master Plumber Licensure Board Exam: Application Requirements, Coverage, and Schedule

Are you ready to work in the country as a Master Plumber? Then this article will definitely be a treat for you!

We will address in this post what you need to learn about the Master Plumber Licensure Board Examination in the Philippines and how to prepare for it.

If you are up for such a huge advantage, go ahead and read more.

What is a Master Plumber?

A Master Plumber differs from a normal plumber largely due to their level of expertise and the fact that they are approved and accredited as master plumbers by the government. These plumbers are more skilled than normal plumbers. These plumbers’ capabilities include the ability to maintain and restore both indoor and outdoor plumbing. These plumbers also have in-depth experience with state and federal laws and regulations.

Like all other professionals, master plumbers specialize in one field of plumbing. As a result, you will find a plumber who specializes in steam fitting or some other field of plumbing. Master plumbers are highly trained and seasoned professionals.

What are the Master Plumber Licensure Exams?

The Professional Regulation Committee (PRC) is the official Philippine Committee for all licensing examinations, with the exception of the Philippine bar examination. As a consequence, it is in charge of conducting the Master Plumber Licensure Examinations.

To take the Master Plumbing Licensure Examination, candidates must have a Bachelor of Science in one of the following degrees from a respectable university or college:

• Architect
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Mining Engineering

The excellent news about this is that not only degree holders are eligible to take the licensure exam. Non-degree holders can also be eligible to take the Master Plumber Licensure Board Exam. All they need to do is provide the requirements that we have listed below.

To maintain the credibility of the workforce, these are mandatory requirements for eligible applicants and soon-to-be practitioners who have completed a licensing examination.

Requirements for the Master Plumber Board Examinations

All the following conditions should be fulfilled before qualifying for the Master Plumbing Licensing Board Exam:

• Passport-sized image of the applicant with a white background and collared attire;
• A valid NBI Clearance;
• Transcript of Records accompanied by a scanned image and the remarks “For Board Review Purposes”;
• A copy of the applicant’s Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
• A copy of the Marriage Contract from the NSO or the PSA (applicable to married female applicants only);
• Documentary stamps;
• An examination payment of Php 600.00;
• For non-degree holders, provide your High School Diploma or Transcript of Records
• For non-degree holders, provide a Notarized Certificate of Experience for five (5) years signed by a Registered Master Plumber whose date of registration is prior to the date of employment.
• Certificate of Employment or service record
• BSEE GRADUATES – with five (5) years experience – FTB

Master Plumber Licensure Examination Registration Procedure

The PRC LERIS online portal offers a basic virtual registry \for each license examination, making arranging an appointment very easy for any applicant. The PRC strongly advises all applicants to validate an online application before submitting their documentation to any provincial or PRC satellite office.

If you are unable to register due to procedural confusion, our step-by-step approach will help you to coordinate your registration, or if you are already familiar with the process, go to the PRC LERIS website for immediate registration.

Master Plumber Board Exam Coverage

The Master Plumbing Licensure Examination will cover the following subjects, for which you must plan months, if not years, in advance. The following are the subjects that will be covered along with their corresponding weight:

Plumbing Code

A. Code of Ethics

The topic deals with the basic knowledge of general guidelines of character, rules, and regulations as covenants in the plumbing practice. This includes moral obligation and relationship with clients and benefactors.

B. Plumbing Terms

Definitions of various plumbing terms, phrases, and words used to define and interpret activities in plumbing.

C. Permits

Documentation of requisites to the activities undertaken in the plumbing project such as applications, applicants and general conditions to be observed.

D. General Regulations

Application of alignment and pitch of pipe with inspection of the horizontal and vertical elevation above and below ground lines, pipe protection, and workmanship including studies of prohibited fittings and dead-end in pipe installation.

E. Quality and Weight of pipes

Study of different materials and their quality such as pipe, metal sheet lead and ferrules used in plumbing.

F. Joints and Connections

Basic knowledge of joints and connections on different pipes use in plumbing.

G. Trap and Cleanout

Choices and different trap types and sizes of their protection, requirements for various plumbing fixtures, classification of cleanout, equivalent, location, and its construction along with pipe installation.

H. Water supply and distribution

Basic knowledge on the quality and redeems of potable water to meet standards of purity including sources, storage, and distribution to the building from the water main through underwater into independent pipes network to the different fixtures.

I. Plumbing Fixtures

Knowledge of all kinds of receptacles used such as water closets, urinal, bathtub, washbasin, wash tray bidet, slop sink, and similar fixtures. Definition of locations, conductors, ventilation including requirements on a swimming pool, and roof extensions.

J. Ventilation of rooms and fixtures

The topic deals with the basic knowledge of ventilation requirements of rooms in all establishments with water closets and urinals.

K. Minimum trap diameter, drain size and fixture unit valve

The study of different plumbing fixtures as presented in table form with the corresponding nominal size of the trap and waste pipe required and equivalent fixture unit values assignment for easy reference of practitioners.

L. Maximum fixture unit on one stock

The topic deals with the soil and waste stack installation and its connections, size requirements for each type of plumbing fixtures, and their root terminal and below-ground installation.

M. Maximum permissible length of the main vent for soil and waste stack

Basic knowledge of the waste disposal system of a building and the general fixtures of a septic tank, working performance.

Plumbing Arithmetic

A. Modern Algebra

The basic theory of real numbers, equation functions and graph, equation functions and graph, exponent and exponential fractions.

B. Trigonometry

Basic concepts in trigonometric functions, solution of triangles, vectors, trigonometric functions of sum and differences.

C. Geometry

Basic concepts in the theory and applications of the plane coordinate system, equation and their loci, straight lines, conic sections, plane, and spherical surfaces.

D. Physics

Understanding of the science of physics, the language of physics, matter, theory of forces and motion, vector, velocity and acceleration, matter and energy, kinetic theory of matter specifically the behavior of liquids, solids, air, and other gases. Heat and temperature, expansion, change of state, and its transference.

E. Financial Arithmetic

The basic concept of financial facts such as simple interest and simple discount, compound interest, simple annuities, amortization and sinking fund, depreciation, and general annuities.

Practical Problems and Experiences

A. Plan reading and interpretation

Reading and interpretation of plans, symbols and legends, and specifications.

B. Plumbing materials

Shapes, sizes, dimensions, qualities, and uses of different kinds and classes of pipes, fittings, gauges, valves, and regulators.

C. Plumbing fixtures and appliances

Shapes, sizes, dimensions, qualities, and uses of different kinds and classes of plumbing fixtures and appliances; sizes, dimension, heights, and location of water supply and discharge drain.

D. Hand and Machine tools

Different kinds of hand and machine tools and their uses for cutting, reaming, threading, caulking, flaring and brazing, welding joints and connections of different pipes and fittings; hand and machine for removing stoppages of drains, and repair of leaks and rusted pipes.

E. Maintenance and repair

Periodic and regular inspection and serving of pipes and fittings, controls, valves, regulators, plumbing fixtures, appliances, pumps, and similar equipment; repair of leaks and rusted pipes.

F. Bill of Materials

Quantity take-off, bill of materials, cost estimates based on plans and specification.

G. Obligations and contracts

Obligations and contract documentation, project technical reporting, inspection and acceptance of materials, and workmanship.

Sanitation Plumbing Design and Installation

A. Development of sources of water for rural residences

Determine the amount and quality of water, develop the source and provide sanitary measures against contamination and pollution.

B. Wastewater treatment and disposal for building and premises

Method of sewage treatment and disposal, design and construction of the septic tank, privy, cesspool, seepage.

C. Water supply and distribution system

Planning and design of water supply, distribution, branch, and all pipings to fixtures, appliances, appurtenance within the building and premises.

D. Sanitary drainage and ventilating system

Planning and design of house drain, house sewers, horizontal branches, stacks, vents, drains, traps, cleanouts, special waste, manhole, and appurtenance within the building and premises.

E. Storm and sub-surface drainage system

Planning and design of ground and sub-surface drains, downspouts, floor, and roof drains, area drains, catch basins, manholes, and appurtenances within the building and premises.

F. Water heating system

Planning and design of hot water supply and return pipes, water heaters, and appurtenance within the building and premises.

G. Dry and wet standpipe

Planning and design of dry and wet standpipes, fire for fire protection within the building and premises.

H. Water pump, tank cistern, sewage, and scum pit

Sizing the capacity of elevated and hydropneumatic tanks, cistern, sewage and scum pits, and appurtenances within the building and premises.

I. Installation and workmanship

Methods and techniques of pipe laying and installation, joints and connections, pipe hangers and supports, storage and protection from damages, inspection, and acceptance of workmanship.

J. Plan and specification

Preparation of orthographic working drawings, isometric, schematic diagrams, riser diagrams, details, symbols and legends, and specifications.

Master Plumber Licensure Exam Schedule in 2021

According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the licensure board examinations for Master Plumbers are usually held at least once a year.

All licensure exams are listed on this calendar. This guide provides information about when the Master Plumber licensure examination applications will be accepted and when they will be due.

If you have any doubts or questions regarding the license examination owing to the seriousness of the pandemic, you can also visit the official Commission website on a regular basis for the most current news and advice.