INFO REGARDING UPGRADE FROM MES TO BT JOURNEYMAN
Tuesday, December 31, 2024

In 2025, the Union Office will be accepting applications for a change of classification from MES Journeyman to Building Trades Journeyman. Once available, the MES Journeyman must pick up an official application from the Union Office. Along with the application, the MES Journeyman must then submit documentation to satisfy the following requirements:

1. PROVE YOU HAVE BEEN AN MES JOURNEYMAN FOR 5 CONTINUOUS YEARS.

Applicant must have been classified as a Mechanical Equipment and Service Journeyman continuously during 5-year period prior to the application deadline date.

2. PROVE YOU WORKED 8,000 HOURS OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD.

The MES Journeyman must initial and return the application giving permission for the Examining Board to review records from the Plumbing Industry Board verifying that he/she has worked at least 8,000 documented contribution hours as a MES Journeyman in the best 5 years in the 8-year period prior to the application deadline date. (This is consistent with Local 1 Apprenticeship hours, as per the NYS Department of Labor.)

3. PROVE YOU WORKED 500 HOURS IN THE YEAR APPLYING FOR THE APPLICATION.

The MES Journeyman must provide proof of having worked at least 500 hours in the year they are applying for the application.

4. PROVE YOU COMPLETED 320 HOURS OF RELATED TRAINING.
1. The MES Journeyman must initial and return the application giving permission for the Examining Board to review records from the Plumbers Local 1 Trade Education Office, and;
2. If 320 training hours have not been completed exclusively at the Plumbers Local Union No.1 Training Center, submit official documented proof of supplemental training hours for the balance of the required 320 hours in the form of completed training records, active licenses, and certificates from outside trade-related training. Outside training can include active Licenses, Certificates, or records from any legitimate, verifiable trade school operating above the high school level.

Any foreign documentation being submitted must be translated into English at the expense of the applicant.

5. PROVE YOU HAVE A VALID A NYC DOB TRAINING CONNECT-ISSUED SST CARD.

The MES Journeyman must submit a copy of their active NYC DOB Training Connect-issued SST Card. Note that no credit for educational hours for SST-related training will count toward the requirements noted in Section 4.

6. PROVE YOU HAVE OBTAINED A DOB REGISTERED JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER CARD WITH FULL GAS WORK QUALIFICATION.

The MES Journeyman must submit a copy of their card showing they have successfully obtained a Registered Journeyman Plumber Card with Full Gas Work Qualification with the Department of Buildings.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be made available in late 2025, and no further information is available at this time.