Plumbing Schools in Idaho: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Idaho Plumber Training Programs 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “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 Idaho.

In Idaho, you must be licensed to legally perform plumbing work of any kind. The state registers or licenses every level of this workforce, including apprentices, journeymen, and contractors. Idaho requires plumber apprentices to be registered and issues licenses at the journeyman and contractor levels through the State of Idaho Division of Building Safety. There is no Idaho plumbing license for master plumbers.

The following Idaho trade schools and technical colleges offer plumbing training programs:

• College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls

• Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston

• North Idaho College Workforce Training Center in Coeur d’Alene

• College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls

• College of Western Idaho in Nampa

• Idaho State University Continuing Education/Workforce Training in Pocatello

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical school, 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 Idaho, require you to gain work experience under a licensed contractor.

Finding a job as a plumber’s helper can be 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 prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list.

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

Very few plumbers choose to get a 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 Idaho such as:

• University of Idaho in Moscow

• Brigham Young University in Rexburg

• Boise State University in Boise

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 class 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

• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

• Plumbing Blueprints and Codes

• Isometric Analysis 

• Waste, Sanitary Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems

• Water Supply and Water 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) certification, too.

School Selection Criteria  

There’s much to consider when picking the plumbing apprenticeship school or program that is right for you.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Idaho community colleges on average is $3,634 per year for in-state students and $7,627 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 field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid in the form of a federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Program length varies based on the type of program (certificate, degree, etc.) and the school. It takes a minimum of four years to qualify to take the plumbing journeyman license exam in Idaho. You can qualify to take the specialty journeyman licenses exams in 18 months for each. If your eventual goal is to own your own plumbing business, it will take an additional two and a half years to qualify to test for the plumbing contractor license.

Benefits

There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. 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 an apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secures 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 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 to do 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 plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed. And, of course, especially in residential work, customer service is key.

School Comparison: At a Glance   

Let’s take a look at plumbing trade schools in Idaho:

College of Southern Idaho

• Offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship program

Lewis Clark State College

• Offers a four-year Associate of Applied Science Plumbing Apprenticeship program

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center

• Offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship Program at its Post Falls location

College of Eastern Idaho

• Offers a four-year Associate of Applied Science Plumbing Apprenticeship program

College of Western Idaho

• Offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship Program

Idaho State University Continuing Education/Workforce Training

• Offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship Program

Steps for Enrollment in Idaho

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. 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 Idaho

You must be at least 16 years of age and complete a four-year apprenticeship that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor that includes 2,000 hours of hands-on training and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Once your apprenticeship is completed, you will qualify to take the exam for a journeyman license. After you become a licensed journeyman and you would like to own your own plumbing business, a contractor license is needed. It will take two and a half more years to qualify for that exam.

Both journeyman plumbers and contractors must complete eight hours of continuing education for every three-year license cycle to renew their license. 

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

Salaries for Plumbers in Idaho

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 average salary can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in Idaho? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber annual salary in Idaho for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $44,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $54,100

• Senior 4-6 years: $53,300

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

While Idaho doesn’t require apprenticeships, obtaining one allows plumbing apprentices to gain the experience needed for licensure and shows their commitment to the field. In addition to the college plumbing apprentice programs listed above, there are union or joint apprenticeship training centers offering plumbing apprenticeships, including:

CSI Workforce Development & Training, Twin Falls

• Offers a four-year apprenticeship program to take the journeyman test and become a licensed technician

Idaho Department of Labor

• Offers more than 100 apprenticeship opportunities, including plumbing apprentices, that combine on-the-job training with job-related instruction. In addition, the School to Registered Apprenticeship (STRAP) youth apprenticeship program is also available for youth ages 16 and older to gain experience in the plumbing trade.

UA Local 296 Plumbers and Pipefitters in Meridian

• Offers a 5-year apprenticeship program through the Southwest Idaho JATC (a DOL-registered apprenticeship program) for plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC/R service technicians, and welders.

UA Local 648 Plumbers and Pipefitters in Pocatello

• Offers a 5-year apprenticeship program through their JATC Training Center in Blackfoot

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Oregon, Washington, and Montana.

• Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon.

• Perry Technical Institute in Yakima, Washington.

• Montana State University Northern in Havre, Montana.

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