Plumbing Schools in Delaware: The Ultimate Guide

Delaware Plumbing Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.” All of that holds true in Delaware.

The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation’s Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners issues licenses for master plumbers. While plumbing apprentices are eligible to receive a journeyman certificate upon completion of a registered apprenticeship program, apprentices and journeyman working under the supervision of a master plumber are not licensed by the board.

Delaware offers plumbing programs at several institutions. Although a plumbing degree is not required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during their required apprenticeship. Here's some top Delaware school districts with adult educational centers offering plumbing programs:

• New Castle County Vocational Technical Adult Education Division, Wilmington

• POLYTECH Adult Education, Woodside

• Sussex Tech Adult Education Division, Georgetown

Union Apprenticeships

• Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 74, Newark

• Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 486, Seaford; Baltimore and Hagerstown, Md.

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of work experience and education through an apprenticeship, as in Delaware.

There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some plumbing contractors may allow you to train with them while you attend a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Delaware such as:

• Delaware Technical Community College, Stanton

• University of Delaware, Newark

In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become a journeyman plumber or master plumber, a degree isn’t necessary.

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Plumbing training programs at technical colleges or adult educational centers prepare students for their plumbing certification and careers in residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed plumbing professional.

Plumbing programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of the plumbing trade and related technical skills. Plumbing courses for apprenticeships typically cover:

• Plumbing code

• Plumbing drawings

• Plumbing mathematics

• Water supply piping

• Pipes and fittings

• Types of valves

• Drain waste and vent systems

• Electricity and fuel gas systems

School Selection Criteria  

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Delaware community colleges on average is $3,530 per year for in-state students and $8,282 for out-of-state students. However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid such as the federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants should apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

In Delaware, plumbing apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Delaware requires apprentices to receive 8,000 hours of work experience and on-the-job training, and 144 hours of related classroom instruction every year of the apprenticeship.

Benefits

There are benefits to formal education if you want to be a plumbing professional. Delaware requires a minimum amount of experience and instruction for journeyman and master plumbers. You also may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Applied Associate of Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get started on your plumbing training through an online program. While the Delaware adult educational centers listed here do not currently offer online plumbing courses, you may want to check the availability of other online plumbing courses. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation offers:

• PHCC Academy Online Plumbing Apprenticeship: Before enrolling, apprentices must confirm with their state’s labor department that the program is an acceptable substitute for classroom instruction. On-the-job training must be coordinated with a participating employer.

Level of difficulty

Plumbing training programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in residential, commercial, or industrial sectors. The BLS says technical instruction for plumbing apprentices includes safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading.

School Comparison: At a Glance   

The Delaware adult education centers listed below offer plumbing programs to train students for a career in the plumbing field. Let’s take a look at the different schools:

New Castle County Vocational Technical Adult Education Division

• Offers a plumbing apprenticeship program with evening classroom instruction. Instruction consists of the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) curriculum.

POLYTECH Adult Education

• Offers a four-year plumbing apprenticeship program with evening classroom instruction, 634 hours.

Sussex Tech Adult Education Division

• Offers a four-year plumbing apprenticeship program.

Steps for Enrollment in Delaware

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

Plumbing Career Requirements in Delaware

The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation’s Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners issues licenses for master plumbers. Apprentices and journeymen working under the supervision of a master plumber are not licensed by the board.

To receive a master plumber license, applicants must:

• Hold a journeyman certificate after completing a registered apprenticeship that meets or exceeds the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training Standards and show proof of two years’ work experience under the supervision of a master plumber or an individual holding a similar level of licensure in another state.

• If the applicant has not completed an apprenticeship, they must show proof of seven years’ work experience under the supervision of a master plumber or a plumber holding a similar level of licensure in another state, and pass an apprenticeship bypass exam.

• Pass a master plumber exam.

• Submit an application and pay a fee.

Master plumbers must renew their licenses every two years. For reciprocity applicants, the state does not require plumbers with a current plumbing license in Connecticut, Iowa, or Maryland to submit proof of experience, due to similar licensure standards.

For a detailed explanation of Delaware’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Delaware Plumbing License. 

Salaries for Plumbing Professionals in Delaware

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become a plumbing professional, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in Delaware? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumbing professional salary in Delaware for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $47,800

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,900

• Senior 4-6 years: $62,400

For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

In Delaware, plumbing apprenticeships last four to five years, and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, and a valid driver’s license.

To become eligible for a journeyperson certificate through the Delaware Department of Labor or a master plumber license with the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners, applicants must complete an apprenticeship consisting of 8,000 hours of work experience and on-the-job training and 144 hours of related classroom instruction every year of the apprenticeship.

Plumbing union apprenticeships serving areas in Delaware include:

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 74

• Offers a five-year plumbing apprenticeship program.

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 486

• Offers a five-year plumbing apprenticeship program.

Other Delaware plumbing apprenticeship resources include:

ApprenticeshipUSA

• Search for a current list of plumbing industry apprenticeships in Delaware.

Other School Options

In addition to plumbing training opportunities in Delaware, there are several schools in neighboring Pennsylvania and Maryland offering plumbing or plumbing technology courses, including:

• Delaware County Community College, Media, Pa.

• Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Md.

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in Delaware. The opportunities are all around you.