Plumbing Apprenticeship
Education | PHCC Academy®
The PHCC Academy® Plumbing Apprenticeship is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, & Washington Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship.
Apprentices can be registered into the DOL's Rapids System based on contractor's needs (optional). Program provides apprentices a thorough understanding of the plumbing trade.
Each course year is approved for 144 RTI (Related Technical Instruction) hours. Completion of all four courses fulfills the
students required 576 RTI hrs. towards apprenticeship.
Yearly Course Overview
PLUMBING YEAR 1: Plumbing history, codes, and principles; Common tools, first aid, and occupational safety practices (OSHA); Construction math; Water supply and sources; Waste disposal; Mechanical properties and protection of building materials and structures; Piping materials; Drain-waste-vent; Plumbing valves, fittings, devices, and fixtures; Water heaters; Introduction to State plumbing code, plans and drawings.
PLUMBING YEAR 2: Customer service; piping materials, joining techniques and fittings; Welding, soldering, brazing, cutting; Distribution for potable water; Water pipe sizing and run systems; Water heaters; Cross- connection and pipe identification; Sewage disposal, drainage fixture and systems; Building drains and plumbing traps; Stacks; Advanced math; properties of water and air; Hoisting, rigging; Introduction to rough-in sheets and isometric drawings.
PLUMBING YEAR 3: Workplace etiquette and productivity; Installation, service/repair on commercial/residential fixtures and appliances; Principles of hydronic systems; Blueprints, isometric drawing, plan reading, sizing water gas, waste and vent; Fuel gas code, piping, materials, fittings, connections and sizing; Gas appliances; Fundamentals of liquefied petroleum gas; Gas transit and offset ratios; Storm drainage and cross-connections; Ejector systems; Impact of temperature and humidity on plumbing systems; Water treatment; Basic electrical safety.
PLUMBING YEAR 4: Advanced service/repair of fixtures and DW systems; Water supply protection; Steam heating and hydronic heating controls; Heat pumps; Advanced blueprints and isometric drawings. Hydronic Heating and Controls Forced Air Heating and Alternative Heating Pumps, Blueprints, Isometrics, and Material Take- Of Plumbing Code Administration and Licensing, Fixtures and Minimum Fixture Req Plumbing Codes: Water Heaters, Water Supply and Distribution Plumbing Codes: Sanitary Drainage Indirect Wastes, Vents, Traps and Interceptors Storm Drainage, Fuel Gas Piping, Healthcare Facilities, Non-potable Water Systems
The student has one year from enrollment to complete each course. 6-month extensions can be purchased for a fee.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Core Curriculum
PHCCWA Academy follows the PHCC National Educational Foundation's four-year series of Plumbing textbooks recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship. The 4-book series is updated by contractors, educators, and industry experts, delivering practical information needed to meet our industry's workforce training needs. Books are included w/each course.
- Cost: Enrollment fee $2895/yearly
- Course Duration: 4 years
Questions? Contact us!
All program course fee payments are due upon enrollment. Due to the nature of our training environment and upfront obligations to our learning partners, all course fee payments are non-refundable.
Open enrollment all year long - apprentices can start at any time. The self-paced program is typically completed in 9-12 months. One course per year for students new to the trade. Apprentices with more motivation and previous OJT experience may move through the program at a faster pace.
Enroll with or without U.S. Department of Labor requirements. For employers with a DOL program in place we will fulfill the RTI requirement only. Employer will handle DOL registration. For employers who do not have a DOL sponsor program in place, PHCC can register apprentices.
Supervisor access to the platform if requested. Course fee includes student textbook for each year enrolled.
Course Fee is non-refundable. The student has 12 months to complete each course. If the course is not completed in the time given 6-month extensions are available for a fee. It is the student's responsibility to contact the program admin if an extension is needed. If the course is abandoned after expiration with no communication from the student, the course will be deleted, and all work will be lost. The student may re-enroll at the current cost of the course. This is a go-at-your-own-pace course, and it is up to the student to stay on track or communicate any issues or concerns.
This course is only available to PHCCWA members. If you are outside of Washington and interested in signing up for this course, please contact us.