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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 Pelican State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 14% growth rate in Louisiana for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as compared with 2% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumbing jobs in Louisiana posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
Louisiana licenses every level of this workforce at the state level—from journeyman plumber to master plumber. Apprentices must be registered with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana. To legally perform plumbing work valuing more than $10,000 in labor and materials, you must hold a Master Plumber license and also be licensed as a commercial contractor.
While Louisiana doesn’t offer reciprocity with other states, plumbers licensed in other states qualify to take the Journeyman Plumber exam.
The State Plumbing Board of Louisiana is responsible for licensing plumbers in the state. Commercial Contractor licenses are issued through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC).
The following Louisiana trade schools offer plumbing programs:
SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles
South Louisiana Community College in New Iberia
The #1 newsletter for the trades.
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 Louisiana, require an apprenticeship.
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 Louisiana such as:
Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge
Louisiana Tech University in Ruston
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
Waste, Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems
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) 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 Louisiana community colleges on average is $2,971 per year for in-state students and $6,101 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 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 program at South Louisiana Community College lasts five months. Apprenticeship programs run for two to five years.
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 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 training centers and trade schools in Louisiana.
SOWELA Technical Community College
Offers a Plumbing Construction Apprenticeship
South Louisiana Community College
Offers a pre-apprenticeship plumbing program
Steps for Enrollment in Louisiana
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:
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 Louisiana
Before you apply to become a licensed plumber in Louisiana, you will need to register as an apprentice with the State Plumbing Board. Once the apprenticeship or its equivalent is complete, you may apply for a license.
The state of Louisiana issues two types of plumbing licenses, and there are different requirements for each.
Journeyman Plumber License: To qualify for an examination, an applicant must either:
Complete or be in the last year of a registered apprenticeship program.
Work for five years (8,000 hands-on hours) under the direct, on-the-job supervision of a Journeyman or Master Plumber.
Have a valid plumbing license in another state, and take the equivalent examination.
Journeyman plumbers must complete four hours of continuing education and renew their journeyman license each year.
Master Plumber License: A licensed Journeyman Plumber can apply for the Master Plumber exam at any time. There is no required amount of years as a Journeyman before qualifying.
Master Plumbers must complete 6 hours of continuing education and renew their license each year.
For a detailed explanation of Louisiana’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Louisiana Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Louisiana
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 Louisiana? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Louisiana for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $46,400
Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,100
Senior 4-6 years: $60,600
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, applicants must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
The Louisiana Department of Labor Workforce Commission oversees registered plumbing apprenticeship programs. They also maintain a list of current apprenticeship options. That list includes:
New Orleans/Bayou Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors
Local Union 659 Plumbers & Steamfitters JAC
Louisiana Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors
Once one secures an apprenticeship, they must register with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Arkansas and Mississippi.
Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville
Mississippi State University, Mississippi
You can find the training you need to excel in a plumbing industry career in Louisiana. The opportunities are all around you.
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