If you’ve ever wondered what the technician that is delivering or working on propane appliances has for training, you may be surprised. This is also why labor rates may be higher than you expect. Between the training, tools, and equipment required to perform their jobs, there is a lot more than meets the eye.
A trained Propane Service Technician does everything from setting tanks and running lines to installing and fine-tuning propane appliances and equipment and working alongside customers as well as professionals from other industries. They work with a wide variety of equipment and people, so every day is different.
Our Propane Service and Delivery Technicians hold a CDL license with hazmat, air brakes and tanker endorsements. To obtain this license you need to pass 4 individual tests; Class A or B CDL (which includes air brakes), Tanker Endorsement and Hazmat Endorsement. To take the Hazmat endorsement test, you must hold a valid medical card, which needs to be renewed a maximum of every two years. In addition, you must pass a TSA background check. Once you hold a hazmat endorsement, you must re-test every 2 years. A TSA background check must also be done every 5 years before renewing your license.
Propane Service and Delivery Technicians must hold a valid Maine State Propane License. To obtain a license they must pass a number CETP (Certified Employee Training Program) classes and also pass a Maine State Exam based upon that class. The first step for ANY propane license is the Basics Class which consists of a single CETP book and State Exam. From here, depending on the job requirements the following propane endorsements are taken:
- Delivery Technician – This endorsement is required for persons who deliver propane at a customer’s location. This endorsement is not required for a delivery technician to operate a motor vehicle. This involves 4 CETP books and exams.
- Plant Operator – This endorsement is required for persons who work at a bulk plant and handle propane and propane equipment. This involves 2 CETP books and exams.
- Tank Setter and Outside Piping Technician – This endorsement is required for persons who set and maintain propane tanks and outside piping. This involves 3 CETP books and exams.
- Appliance Connection and Service Technician – This endorsement is required for persons who install and service propane and natural gas appliances and indoor piping up to 500,000 BTUs per appliance. This involves 6 CETP books and exams.
- Large Equipment Connection and Service Technician – This endorsement is required for persons who install and service propane and natural gas appliances and indoor piping over 500,000 BTUs per appliance. This involves one book and exams and has the additional requirements listed below.
- To become licensed with the Large Equipment Connection and Service Technician endorsement, an applicant must either:
- Hold a license as a technician with the Appliance Connection and Service Technician endorsement and pass the Large Equipment Connection and Service Technician examination; or
- Present proof to the Board of passage of the Appliance Connection and Service Technician examination and pass the Large Equipment Connection and Service Technician examination.
- To become licensed with the Large Equipment Connection and Service Technician endorsement, an applicant must either:
Once the CETP endorsement class and skills assessment of that endorsement has been completed, a Maine State Gas Examination is required for all applicants. Currently, the overall passing rate of Maine State exams is 50%.
Each CTEP endorsement class can vary from just a few months to a year to complete with the Maine Fuel Board State Exam and skill assessment. Refresher training is also required every 3 years for every license obtained.
Last of all, propane and delivery technicians must be physically capable of lifting heavy appliances, and propane tanks as well as managing the delivery hose which weighs more than 40 lbs.