Water and sewer pipe‐layer training best practices

To perform water and sewer pipe‐laying work, Minnesota law requires individuals to obtain a plumbing bond or be an employee of a person in compliance with the bond and insurance requirements of Minn. Stat. §326B.46, subd. 2. Individuals performing building sewer or water service installation are not required to hold a plumbers license if they have completed pipe‐laying training.

Best practices

The following are best practices for water and sewer pipe‐laying training:

1. Those performing water and sewer pipe‐laying training are responsible for providing qualified instructors. Qualifications generally include a mix of directly related formal training and field experience.

2. The instructors maintain records of those who have completed the training and issue pipe-layer cards with the expiration date to those who pass the course. Cards can be issued electronically and can be carried in the field as a paper card or on an electronic device when performing pipe-laying work. Pipelayer training cards expire every three years.

3. Instruction for water and sewer pipe‐laying includes:

   • all applicable parts of the Minnesota Plumbing Code,

   • trench safety,

   • utility locating,

   • pipe materials,

   • pipe cutting and joining techniques,

   • sanitary and storm sewers,

   • trench dewatering,

   • setting elevations,

   • hydrants,

   • manholes and catch basins,

   • confined space entry,

   • blueprint reading,

   • testing, and

   • erosion/sediment control.

4. Refresher pipe‐laying training consisting of at least four hours of training is provided at least once every three years to maintain a pipe‐layer card.

5. Successful completion of the course includes passing the course test.

Questions?

Contact us at dli.license@state.mn.us.