Plumbing Schools in Missouri: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Missouri Plumber Training Programs

According to the 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 this holds true in Missouri.

Missouri doesn’t license plumbers at the state level, but most cities or counties have local license requirements for journeyman plumbing and master plumber licensing. However, plumbing contractor licenses are issued at the state level via the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office.

The following Missouri trade schools and training centers offer plumbing programs:

• Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Wentzville, and Perryville

• St. Louis Community College in St. Louis

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some, like the state of Missouri, require a minimum amount of education.

Some plumber apprenticeship programs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. There are often classes applicants can take in high school and college to help them prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list.

They include trade classes like blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in Missouri such as:

• University of Missouri

• Missouri State University

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Plumbing programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in plumbing, pipefitting, and related fields. All classroom instruction combines theory and practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.

Among the plumbing courses you’ll take are:

• Introduction to Plumbing Technology and Plumbing Systems

• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

• Plumbing Blueprints and Codes

• Waste, Sewer Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems

• Underground Water Supply and Distribution Systems

• Plumbing Fixtures and Appliance Installation

Further along will be intermediate and advanced plumbing concepts, pipe fabrication, and welding technology fundamentals, among other education courses, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety procedures certification, too.

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the apprenticeship or school and program that is right for you.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Missouri community colleges on average is $4,464 per year for in-state students and $6,120 for out-of-state students. 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 federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Program length varies, typically from nine months to 5 years, depending on the type of training and jurisdiction. For instance, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, serving the St. Louis area, requires five years of training, with each year consisting of up to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 216 hours of classroom instruction. 

Benefits

There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing trade. Many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or pre-apprenticeship over one without. Those credentials can also give you an edge in the selection process for a plumbing apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals.

Online vs. in-person

You may choose to get that jump on plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. 

Penn Foster and Ashworth College are two of the most recognizable online plumbing programs. Bob Vila’s website and the CPA Accounting Institute for Success both list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.

If you know your learning style relies more on personal instruction, the traditional in-person classes and accredited programs listed above are fairly accessible throughout the state.

Level of difficulty

Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing trade in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. Plumbers must learn a lot of different things to be successful, including: how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems (including water heaters); troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute on remodels or new installations that involve running all water, gas and sewage lines; know how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; understand the Missouri building code; and keep accurate records of work performed. We suggest you visit schools you plan to apply to in order to ensure they are the right fit.

School Comparison: At a Glance

Let’s take a look at plumbing training centers and trade schools in Missouri:

Ranken Technical College

• Offers a nine-month Plumbing Technology program

St. Louis Community College

• St. Louis Community College doesn’t offer an official plumbing program, but does provide several courses in the skilled trades that cover plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, and more.

Steps for Enrollment in Missouri

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 that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has 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. Submit your high school diploma or GED scores.

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 Missouri

To recap, Missouri issues plumbing licenses at the city or county level. 

Kansas City and St. Louis—the most populous cities in the state—each have strict licensing requirements for plumbers. Both require apprentice plumbers to work under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or licensed master plumber to gain the knowledge needed to pass examination and the work experience required to apply for a certificate of qualification as a journeyman. The Kansas City Department of Planning & Development and the St. Louis County Department of Public Works issue certificates of qualification at the journey and master level.

If you wish to own your own business in the plumbing field in Missouri after you’ve accumulated significant experience and local licensing and certifications, you’ll need a state-issued business license from the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, workers’ compensation insurance, liability insurance, and unemployment insurance. You may also be required by your municipality to post a cash deposit prior to seeking licensing.

Because plumbing licenses are issued at the city or county level, renewal terms and continuing education requirements also vary, depending on the jurisdiction where you work.

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

Salaries for Plumbers in Missouri

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

• Entry level <2 years: $47,100

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,100

• Senior 4-6 years: $61,800

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

Industry Apprenticeships

Most apprenticeships require that you earn your high school diploma or GED before becoming a plumbing apprentice. Many Missouri businesses sponsor apprentices, and you can apply directly with those employers. In addition, the following union and trade associations offer hands-on training for plumbing apprenticeship programs:

• UA Local 562 in St. Louis

• UA Local 8 in Kansas City

• UA Local 781 in Kansas City

• UA Local 314 in Kansas City

• UA Local 533 in Kansas City

• UA Local 178 in Springfield

• UA Local 45 in St. Joseph

• UA Local 268 in St. Louis

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Kansas, Illinois, and Arkansas.

• Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, Kansas

• Building and Fire Code Academy in Elgin, Illinois

• Ultimate Technical Academy in North Little Rock, Arkansas

You can find the training you need to excel in a plumbing industry career in Missouri. The opportunities are all around you.