4 Best Plumbing Schools in Richmond, VA

About the School

Students receive instruction related to their plumbing apprenticeship.

Semesters last approximately 14 weeks.

Classes must have a minimum of 10 registered students.

Tuition must be paid when you register.

You may not smoke or use tobacco products or consume alcohol on Richmond Public School property at any time.

Courses

Richmond offers a nine-semester plumbing course covering everything necessary to qualify for an apprenticeship, get hired by a plumbing contractor, or open an independent plumbing repair business.

The first semester will cover basic plumbing concepts, the use and identification of various plumbing tools, safety issues, and methods of joining multiple pipes and fittings of traditional compositions such as brass, copper, cast iron, galvanized coatings, and plastic.

You will also learn to install and maintain water heaters.

In addition, you will study single-line drawings, building fixture drains, and sewage disposal drainage line construction.

You will also research gas codes, fire sprinkler systems, and blueprints.

In your second semester, you will apply these concepts to home, business, and industrial situations, emphasizing the proper creation of cross connections, sprinkler system function, use of gas codes, and correct interpretation of blueprints.

Your third and fourth semesters delve into drafting blueprints and using plumbing math concepts to sketch and draw isometric pipes.

You will spend semesters five and six studying, analyzing, and applying the appropriate plumbing codes required in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Seven and Eight will cover gas pipefitting concepts, including regulations for local, Commonwealth of Virginia, and national project conception, completion, inspection, and maintenance.

Finally, semester Nine provides an endorsement for licensed plumbers to test and maintain backflow prevention devices and systems.

Semesters One through Six include 75 instructional hours each, costing $575 per semester-long course.

Semesters Seven and Eight include 81 instructional hours and cost $575 per semester-length class.

Semester Nine, however, costs $900 for the 75-hour program.

About the School

Apprentices will learn to install and maintain drinking water distribution systems, sanitary sewage drainage; stormwater drainage, diversion, retention, reclamation; and gas distribution.

Unlike programs at traditional colleges and universities, students receive industry-standard pay and do not accrue any educational debt during their apprenticeships.

You must be at least 18 to begin your apprenticeship.

You will work under the supervision of a Journey Plumber for a one-year probationary period, followed by a four-year full apprenticeship.

Report for scheduled work and provide transportation to and from all job sites.

Attend all related training classes while earning an acceptable average grade, and follow all the rules and regulations of the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.

All applicants must provide their birth certificate, Social Security card, Driver’s License or State ID, high school diploma or GED certificate, and a copy of military transfer or discharge form DD-214 if they have served in any branch of the Armed Forces.

Upon notification, you must appear for an in-person interview.

About the School

This non-profit institute provides training in 10 trades, including plumbing, plus additional courses in blueprint reading and life skills.

The Bowers plumbing career training program gives students industry-specific, hands-on professional training while earning a stipend.

Thus, students receive funds to help establish a plumbing career instead of accumulating the usual student debts.

Courses

All Bowers trade courses feature a curriculum prepared by industry professionals.

Plumbing program attendees will spend the majority of their time in on-the-job training.

The program provides starter tools, a hard hat, and safety shoes free of charge for each student.

In addition, you will receive a BUC certificate of accomplishment, a contract offer from local plumbing companies, weekly stipends deposited into a school-established checking and savings account that remains in your control after graduation, and a debit card.

About the School

CTC provides test preparation for Virginia Journey and Master-level plumbers who desire a contractor’s license.

Courses

The half-hour Contractor Licensing Start-Up Consultation phone call will include follow-up email support with an expert in Virginia contractor licensing procedures.

The $79 consultation fee will be applied to any future test prep purchase.

With a 90 percent first-try pass rate and a No-Pass, No-Pay guarantee, this program ensures you will receive your contractor license as soon as possible.

The online, prerecorded Virginia Plumber Exam Prep Course costs $197.

It includes installing, maintaining, repairing, or removing backflow prevention equipment, boilers, fire suppression sprinkler systems, hot water baseboard radiator systems, hydronic heat, pipes, public and privately-owned water supply systems inside or alongside buildings and structures, sanitary sewage systems, stormwater drainage plants, steam-powered heating systems, storage tanks, vents, and water heaters.

In addition, you may take the Virginia Plumber (PLU) Exam Tabbed And Highlighted Book Bundle, which costs $ 199.97, into the open-book exam.

After passing, you may select the Contractor License Application Processing Service for $979 or Contractor License Application Review Service for $479.