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We all need plumbers, and plumbers need extensive training to do the job right. There’s a lot to learn if you want to join this essential workforce, and training is accessible throughout the Old Dominion State.
A growing demand for plumbers in the state of Virginia means there’s a wide selection of job opportunities, from journeyman plumbers, master plumbers, and plumber contractors, to jobs in the construction and engineering fields.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 10% growth rate for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Virginia, compared to a 2% growth rate nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of plumber jobs in Virginia posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know to get started on your career path as a plumber in Virginia.
Virginia 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 Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), through the Virginia Board for Contractors, regulates and licenses plumbers in Virginia. There are three basic levels of plumbing licensure in Virginia, and each requires a combination of formal education and practical experience working with plumbing systems.
Apprentice plumbers must first register with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a basic math and reading test. Plumbing apprentices gain the practical experience required to get a license while taking classes to learn the theoretical or conceptual parts of the trade.
Apprenticeships may take up to four or five years for successful completion, which then qualifies you to apply for a journeyman plumber license in Virginia. Virginia plumbing licenses include journeyman, master, and three classifications of contractor licenses, Class A, Class B, and Class C. Individual tradesmen may also be subject to local ordinances, laws, and regulations.
Virginia 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 Virginia trade schools and community colleges offering plumbing programs:
Virginia Technical Institute in Altavista
Virginia Technical Academy in Newport News
The Apprentice School in Newport News
Richmond Technical Center in Richmond (plumbing program offered through the Virginia Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education)
Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville
Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke
Wytheville Community College in Wytheville
Old Dominion Job Corps Center in Monroe
Reynolds Community College in Richmond
Norfolk Plumbing in Norfolk
Online plumbing vocational training:
Contractor Training School, Richmond
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association, Falls Church
Union Apprenticeships
To apply for a plumbing apprenticeship in Virginia, individuals can contact local unions, plumbing companies, or the Virginia Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association. Apprenticeship programs typically involve on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Associated Builders & Contractors – Virginia Chapter
UA Local 10 Plumbers & Pipefitters in Richmond
The Virginia Board for Contractors also posts a list of Approved Tradesman Formal Vocational Training Providers to help applicants meet the education requirements.
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 Virginia.
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 Virginia such as:
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.
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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
Students who successfully complete technical college plumbing programs may receive additional certifications and credentials, including:
OSHA 30
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Certifications
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 Virginia community colleges on average is $3,736 per year for in-state students and $8,977 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 Virginia, plumbing apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. A few local unions in Virginia offer plumbing apprenticeships, but most are offered by individual employers and typically run five years. They satisfy the educational and practical experience requirements required by Virginia to apply for a journeyman license.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be a plumbing professional. Virginia 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 Associate of Applied 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. Here are a few online programs we found in Virginia:
Contractor Training School, Richmond
Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa
Offers a skilled trades online course that prepares and qualifies you for the DPOR journeyman plumber examination.
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association, Falls Church
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation offers an online plumbing and HVAC apprenticeship. Prior to enrolling, apprentices must confirm with the Virginia Board for Contractors that this program is acceptable as a 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 Virginia trade schools and community colleges listed below offer plumbing programs to train students for a career in the plumbing field. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Virginia Technical Institute, Altavista
Offers a four-level NCCER plumbing course curriculum that includes an introduction to the plumbing profession, plumbing safety, plumbing tools, plumbing math, plumbing drawings, and types of pipe such as plastic, copper, or cast-iron. Courses also cover water distribution systems, installing and testing water supply piping, installing water heaters, and more.
Virginia Technical Academy, Newport News
Offers a plumbing career-track program approved by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Level 1 includes 120 hours of classroom and lab learning coursework, while Levels 2 through 4 include 180 hours of classroom and lab learning coursework.
The Apprentice School, Newport News
Offers a pipefitters apprenticeship geared toward piping systems on board aircraft carriers and submarines. Pipefitter apprentices learn how to install, inspect, and test these piping systems, as well as study pipe theory, learn how to tack-weld and braze, and other basic pipefitter skills. The Apprentice School is located onsite at Newport News Shipbuilding, and offers four-, five-, and eight-year apprenticeships in 19 shipbuilding disciplines and eight advanced programs of study.
Richmond Technical Center, Richmond
Offers an Adult CTE apprenticeship program for 11 skilled trades, including plumbing. Classes meet in the evenings Monday-Thursday, and consist of approximately 75 hours of instruction over 14 weeks with two semesters per school year. The plumbing program is offered through the Virginia Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville
Offers a Level 1 Plumbing Course, 110 hours. Students master the basic concepts to prepare for entry-level employment in the plumbing industry. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introduction to Construction.
Offers a Level 2 Plumbing Course, 145 hours. Students take plumber continuing education classes. Topics include reading commercial drawings; structural penetrations, insulation and fire stopping; installing and testing DWV piping; installing roof, floor and area drains; installing and testing water supply piping; types of valves; installing fixtures and valves; installing water heaters; basic electricity; and fuel gas and fuel oil systems. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Plumbing - Level 1.
Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke
Offers online DPOR-approved tradesmen renewal classes for HVAC Mechanic, Gas Fitting, Plumbing, and Electrical.
Wytheville Community College in Wytheville
Offers a two-year Construction Technology Plumbing Diploma track designed for entry-level employment in the plumbing trades. Successful completion of this program meets eligibility requirements for those seeking Virginia tradesman licensure, 60 credits.
Old Dominion Job Corps Center in Monroe
Offers construction-related plumbing instruction courses. Job Corps students learn about assembling, installing, and repairing pipes, fittings, or fixtures according to plumbing codes; measuring, cutting, threading, and bending pipes using hand or power tools; locating and marking the positions of pipes using measuring instruments; following state and local building codes; and locating malfunctions in plumbing systems and repairing them.
Reynolds Community College in Richmond
Offers a NCCER Plumbing level 1 certification to qualify as a plumbers helper or apprentice. Topics include an introduction to the plumbing profession, plumbing safety, plumbing tools, plumbing math, plumbing drawings, and types of pipe such as plastic, copper, or cast-iron. Courses also cover water distribution systems, installing and testing water supply piping, installing water heaters, and more. Registration in NCCER CORE, or previous NCCER CORE certification is required for enrollment in NCCER Plumbing level 1.
Norfolk Plumbing, Norfolk
Offers an on-the-job plumber apprenticeship program sponsored by the Department of Labor and Industry.
Steps for Enrollment in Virginia
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:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
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 Virginia
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), through the Virginia Board for Contractors regulates and licenses plumbers in Virginia. There are three basic levels of plumbing licenses in Virginia, and each requires a combination of formal education and practical experience. You’ll begin as an apprentice to gain the practical experience required to get a license while taking classes to learn the theoretical or conceptual parts of the trade. Virginia plumbing licenses include journeyman, master, and three classifications of contractor licenses, Class A, Class B, and Class C. For a detailed explanation of Virginia’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Virginia Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbing Professionals in Virginia
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 Virginia? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumbing professional salary in Virginia for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $48,100
Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,200
Senior 4-6 years: $62,700
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Plumbers in Virginia begin as either an entry-level worker, an apprentice, or a student, and each must work toward a journeyman’s license. Some local unions in Virginia offer plumbing apprenticeships, but most are offered by individual employers and satisfy the educational and practical experience requirements required by Virginia to apply for a journeyman license.
To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, apprentices 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. It will take you a minimum of four years before you can apply for a journeyman plumber license in Virginia.
To qualify for a journeyman plumber license you must acquire a minimum number of years of practical experience and classroom instruction and pass a state-mandated test. To meet the experience and education requirements necessary for pre-approval for the exam, applicants must do one of the following:
Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field like mechanical engineering or some other applicable engineering curriculum and get one year of hands-on experience in the field.
Earn an associate’s degree or diploma certificate from a two-year plumbing program at a technical college or trade school and two years of work experience.
Accrue four years of work experience and 240 hours of formal vocational training.
Before taking the exam to become a master plumber, a licensed journeyman must show proof of one year of experience and accumulate 10 years of verified practical experience in the trade.
Plumbing union apprenticeships serving areas in Virginia include:
Associated Builders & Contractors – Virginia Chapter
UA Local 10 Plumbers & Pipefitters in Richmond
The Virginia Board for Contractors also posts a list of Approved Tradesman Formal Vocation Training Providers to help applicants meet the education requirements.
Other School Options
In addition to plumbing training opportunities in Virginia, there are several schools in neighboring North Carolina, Maryland, and West Virginia offering plumbing or plumbing technology courses, including:
School of Skilled Trades, Durham, North Carolina
Pipe Trade Technologies, Bel Air, Maryland
Putnam Career and Technical Center, West Virginia
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in Virginia. The opportunities are all around you.
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