Plumbing Schools in Illinois: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Illinois 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 Illinois.

Illinois licenses every level of this workforce at the state level—from apprentice plumber to plumbing contractor. The Board of Plumbing Examiners issues plumbing licenses in Chicago through the Department of Buildings. Plumber licenses issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are also valid and recognized in the City of Chicago, if the plumber’s employer has a City of Chicago plumbing contractor license.

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

• Kennedy-King College of City Colleges of Chicago

• Triton College in River Grove

• Building and Fire Code Academy in Elgin

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefit of getting some 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois such as:

• Northwestern University

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 

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

• 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 Illinois community colleges on average is $7,972 per year for in-state students and $10,688 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. The plumbing certificate at Triton College is two semesters. A four-year apprenticeship is required before becoming a licensed plumber. 

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 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 Illinois plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed. 

School Comparison: At a Glance   

Let’s take a look at plumbing training centers and trade schools in Illinois.

Kennedy-King College of City Colleges of Chicago

• Offers a Basic Certificate in Plumbing and Fire Protection

Triton College

• Offers a Plumbing Certificate

Building and Fire Code Academy

• Offers a 4-year Plumbing Apprenticeship Education (PAE) to supplement an apprentice plumber’s on-the-job training

Steps for Enrollment in Illinois

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 Illinois

There are multiple license types available in the State of Illinois. Apprentices must be at least 16 years old, complete the “Apprentice Plumber’s License Application” form, and provide proof of sponsorship by an Illinois licensed plumber or approved apprenticeship program.

Applicants for a plumbing license must have been employed as a licensed apprentice plumber for a minimum of 4 years, and have successfully completed at least 2 years of high school or equivalent in addition to completing an approved course instruction through a college, university, or trade school. They can then apply to take the plumbing exam.

If you wish to own your own business, you must apply to be a Plumbing Contractor. Plumbing contractors must maintain minimum general liability insurance, bodily injury insurance, property damage insurance, and workers' compensation insurance. In addition, Chicago licenses plumbers separately.

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

Salaries for Plumbers in Illinois

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 Illinois?Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Illinois for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $48,300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,500

• Senior 4-6 years: $63,200

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

Although you only have to be 16, most apprenticeships require that you complete your high school diploma or GED program before the apprenticeship starts. Many Illinois businesses sponsor apprentices, and you can apply directly with those employers. In addition, the following union and trade associations offer hands-on plumbing apprenticeship programs:

• UA Local 130 in Chicago

• Plumbers’ Local 63 in Peoria

• UA Local 149 in Savoy

• Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 101 in Belleville

• UA Local 23 Plumbers & Pipefitters in Rockford

• UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 99 in Bloomington

• Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 160 in Murphysboro

Once one secures an apprenticeship, they must register in Illinois or Chicago, depending on their location.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Wisconsin and Kentucky.

• Maysville Community and Technical College in Maysville, Kentucky

• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin

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