Plumbing Schools in Kentucky: The Ultimate Guide

Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction — Division of Plumbing issues and renews all plumbing licenses in Kentucky, including journeyman plumber licenses and master plumber licenses. Most people entering the plumbing industry in Kentucky learn on the job as a plumbing apprentice, either in a union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for a plumbing business and taking classes at a local community college. Apprentice plumbers in Kentucky do not need a license.

Kentucky 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 are some top Kentucky trade schools and adult educational centers that offer plumbing programs:

• Maysville Community and Technical College in Maysville

• Owensboro Community and Technical College in Owensboro

• Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington

• Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville

• Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Elizabethtown

• Gateway Community and Technical College in Florence

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 Kentucky.

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 also attending 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 wish to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at one of the four-year universities in Kentucky like:

• University of Kentucky

• Western Kentucky University

• University of Louisville

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 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 technology

• Plumbing systems

• Service and repair

• Water distribution systems

• Plumbing fixtures

• Plumbing drawings and plans

• Fuel gas piping systems

• Pumps

• Venting 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 Kentucky community colleges on average is $3,629 per year for in-state students and $12,449 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 federal (Pell Grant) and state grants should apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

In Kentucky, plumbing apprenticeships last two to three years, and consist of on-the-job training or a mix of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Some apprenticeships, including union-based apprenticeships, last four to five years, depending on the level of training. At minimum, Kentucky requires apprentices to achieve two years of experience under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber or the completion of two years of classroom training and one year of documented work experience.

Benefits

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

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

Maysville Community and Technical College

• Offers a Plumbing Mechanic Certificate. 

Owensboro Community and Technical College

• Offers several plumbing certificates, including Plumber Helper and Finish Plumber.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

• Offers several plumbing certificates, including Plumber Helper and Finish Plumber.

Jefferson Community and Technical College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Plumbing Technology, as well as various certificates.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

• Offers several plumbing certificates, including Plumber Helper and Finish Plumber.

Gateway Community and Technical College 

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Plumbing Technology, as well as various certificates.

Steps for Enrollment in Kentucky

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. 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 Kentucky

The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction — Division of Plumbing issues plumbing licenses in Kentucky, including journeyman plumber licenses and master plumber licenses. Apprentice plumbers do not need a license, so long as they work directly under a licensed journeyman or master plumber. 

To become eligible for a journeyman license, candidates must demonstrate at least two consecutive years as an apprentice plumber or complete a department-approved course that includes content on the practice of plumbing or the Kentucky State Plumbing Code and at least one year of experience as an apprentice plumber.

To become a licensed master plumber in Kentucky, candidates must have a valid journeyman plumber license for two years within the five years preceding the exam and have been employed in the plumbing trade for the past two years or be a registered mechanical engineer.

Kentucky requires journeyman and master plumbers to renew their licenses at the end of their birth month every year. The renewal fee for Kentucky plumbers is $60 for a journeyman and $250 for a master. Payments should be made to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

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

Salaries for Plumbing Professionals in Kentucky

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 Kentucky? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumbing professional salary in Kentucky for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $47,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,700

• Senior 4-6 years: $62,200 

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

Industry Apprenticeships

In Kentucky, plumbing apprenticeships usually last two or three years, and require work experience under the supervision of a licensed plumber or a mix of classroom training and work experience. 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.

Kentucky requires apprentices to achieve two years of experience under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber or the completion of two years of classroom training and one year of documented work experience.

Resources to locate plumbing apprenticeships in Kentucky include:

Kentucky Career Center Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services

• Provides a list of current apprenticeships and also offers resources for employers sponsoring apprentices.

UA Local 502 

• The five-year apprenticeship program is divided into one-year segments, each of which includes 1,800 to 2,000 hours of on- the-job training and a minimum of 246 hours of related classroom instruction.

Kentucky Pipe Trades Association

• Offers an apprenticeship program that combines classroom and on-the-job training.

Other School Options

In addition to plumbing training opportunities in Kentucky, there are several training centers in neighboring Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee:

• Indiana Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, multiple locations in Indiana

• Apprentice Ohio, multiple locations in Ohio

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Knoxville, TN

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