Plumbing Apprenticeship Certificate
At a Glance
Get in the Pipeline for an In-Demand Plumbing Career!
In our Plumbing Apprenticeship training program, you will learn residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing applications. Continue to work fulltime while attending classes at Carroll and achieve Journeyman status in just 4 years!
Duration:
4 years of classes & on-the-job training
Schedule:
September – May; classes meet 2 nights a week from 6 – 9:15 p.m
Program Cost:**
$2,500 (up to 100% may be covered by the Ratcliffe Works Grant; Apply for Assistance)
Certification Earned:
Journeyman license through Maryland Department of Labor
Eligibility
Apprentices in program must be employed by a licensed plumbing company.
Median Annual Wage:*
$62,970
Helpful Resources
What You’ll Learn
In the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program, you’ll build a strong foundation in the real-world plumbing skills employers seek. Through hands-on training and expert instruction, you’ll learn how to:
- Read and interpret blueprints and plumbing codes
- Lay out, assemble, and install piping systems and fixtures
- Work with a variety of systems, including:
- Steam
- Natural gas & oil
- Hot water & heating
- Cooling & drainage
- Lubricating & sprinkling systems
- Industrial processing systems
- Service both residential and commercial properties
- Ensure safety and code compliance in every project
Curriculum
The Plumbing Apprenticeship Program coursework combines expert-led classroom instruction at Carroll’s campus with practical on-the-job training.
In your first year as a Plumbing Apprentice, you will build a strong foundation in plumbing fundamentals through both hands-on training and classroom instruction. You’ll refresh essential math skills—including geometry, square roots, and measurements—and learn to read building plans and sketch plumbing symbols. Safety is emphasized with First Aid/CPR training and an introduction to OSHA/MOSHA standards. You’ll also explore the history of plumbing, care and use of tools, and key concepts from the National Standard Plumbing Code. Coursework additionally covers piping materials and standards, joining methods, valves, faucets, fixtures, and water heaters—including solar options. Lessons in mechanical properties, protection of building structures, and gases used in plumbing round out the year, preparing you for more advanced topics ahead.
FIRST YEAR – 171 HOURS
In your second year of the Plumbing Apprentice Program, you will build on your foundational knowledge with more advanced skills in both residential and commercial plumbing. You’ll strengthen your plumbing math skills by learning to calculate angles and offsets using the Pythagorean theorem. You’ll also gain experience reading commercial drawings and working with hangers, supports, and fire-stopping techniques. Hands-on training focuses on installing and testing DWV and water supply piping, as well as roof, floor, and area drains. Additionally, you will learn to install and service fixtures, valves, faucets, and water heaters, and are introduced to plumbing-related electrical applications and fuel gas systems, preparing you for more complex jobsite tasks.
SECOND YEAR – 153 HOURS
In your third year of the Plumbing Apprentice Program, you will apply job-specific math skills and receive a CPR refresher while advancing your technical knowledge. You’ll learn to size water supply piping, DWV, and storm systems accurately, and gain a deep understanding of venting types and backflow prevention—including specialized training from an outside contractor. The curriculum also covers potable water treatment, the installation and use of sewage and sump pumps, and the handling of corrosive-resistant waste piping. Finally, you’ll be introduced to the principles of compressed air systems, further preparing you for a wide range of real-world plumbing applications.
THIRD YEAR – 153 HOURS
In your final year of the Plumbing Apprentice Program, you will review key concepts from the previous three years and prepare for leadership and advanced technical roles. You’ll study business principles for plumbers and develop introductory crew leader skills. Training covers specialized systems including water pressure boosters, recirculation, hydronic and solar heating, and indirect waste. You’ll also learn to service piping systems, fixtures, and appliances, and gain knowledge of private wells, waste disposal, swimming pools, hot tubs, and plumbing for mobile homes and travel trailers. A focused study on plumbing codes enhances your understanding of regulations and compliance in the field.
FOURTH YEAR – 153 HOURS
Licensure/Certification Earned
Students who successfully complete the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and pass the Journeyman Plumber exam will earn their Journeyman license and be prepared to take their Master Plumber exam.
Why Choose Carroll’s Plumbing Apprenticeship Program?
- Earn While You Learn: Continue to work fulltime while attending classes.
- Fast Track Your Career: Achieve Journeyman status in just 4 years.
- High Demand: Local plumbing companies are hiring and ready to invest in trained workers.
- Affordable: Up to 100% of the program cost may be covered by the Ratcliffe Works grant for eligible participants.
- Job Security: With experienced plumbers retiring, new job opportunities are opening regularly.
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Our program is shaped by local business leaders and industry experts, ensuring you learn the skills employers are looking for right now. View our Advisory Boards.
Get Paid to Prepare for This In-Demand Career
Career Outlook
Employment opportunities for plumbers is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 43,300 job openings annually, primarily due to the need to replace workers who retire or transition to other occupations.
Journeyman plumbers, having achieved a significant professional milestone, can work in residential and commercial plumbing, specialize in areas such as pipefitting, steamfitting, or sprinkler fitting, and potentially advance into supervisory or management roles.
Overall, the plumbing profession offers a stable and rewarding career path, with ample opportunities for advancement and specialization.
- Is work experience required for apprenticeships?
Work experience is not necessary, but you must be at least 18 years old to enroll. - Is financial assistance available?
Yes! Through Ratcliffe Works and other programs, students may qualify to have up to 100% of the cost of the program covered. Check your eligibility today. - Where do I train?
Some instruction takes place in the classroom on Carroll’s campus. The apprentice will also work fulltime for a local plumbing company for their on-the-job-training. - When do I start work?
Once your apprenticeship is approved, if you do not already work for a plumbing company, your name will go into a pool of apprentices looking for work. Because we cannot guarantee job placement, we strongly recommend that you contact plumbing companies in your area and inquire if they are hiring apprentices. - When do I start school?
You may begin related professional classroom instruction in September as long as we obtain your sponsoring employer’s approval
Get Started Today
410-386-8100 | wbce@carrollcc.edu | Building A, Room 115
*Wages are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are estimates only.
**Unless noted, cost does not include any required textbooks and related materials, applicable licensing fees, background check fees, testing fees or prerequisite courses.