Plumbing Schools in North Carolina: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited North Carolina 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.” 

To perform plumbing work in North Carolina, individuals must hold either a contractor or technician license or work under a licensed contractor. The State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors issues plumbing licenses.

While advanced education isn’t required to qualify for licensure, academic coursework counts toward the experience requirements for certain license types.

The following North Carolina trade schools offer plumbing programs:

• Wake Technical Community College (9101 Fayetteville Road) in Raleigh

• Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville

• Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, Castle Hayne, Burgaw, and Hampstead

• Cleveland Community College in Shelby

• Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem

• Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown

• Pamlico Community College in Grantsboro

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 state of North Carolina does not require advanced education, although education does count toward work experience requirements for licensure.

However, securing an entry level plumbing job or apprenticeship can be a competitive process, 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.

The programs 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 North Carolina, such as:

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

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 North Carolina community colleges on average is $3,923 per year for in-state students and $9,541 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 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. Eligibility for a plumbing contractor license requires two years (4,000 hours) of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, or service of plumbing systems. Up to 2,000 hours of plumbing education (30 semester hours) can count toward the requirement. 

Fayetteville Technical Community College offers both a 16-credit hour plumbing certificate program and a 44-hour plumbing diploma program.

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 education 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. 

School Comparison: At a Glance

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

Wake Technical Community College

• Offers a Plumbing and Pipefitting program

• Offers a Plumbing Technology degree program

Fayetteville Technical Community College

• Offers a Basic Plumbing certificate

• Offers a Plumbing diploma

Cape Fear Community College

• Offers a Plumbing certificate

• Offers a Plumbing diploma

Cleveland Community College 

• Offers a Plumbing certificate

• Offers a Plumbing diploma

Forsyth Technical Community College 

• Offers a Plumbing certificate

• Offers a Plumbing diploma

Guilford Technical Community College 

• Offers a Plumbing certificate

Pamlico Community College

• Offers a Plumbing program

Steps for Enrollment in North Carolina

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 North Carolina

North Carolina offers six different plumbing licenses through the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors:

1. P-I Contractor

2. P-II Contractor

3. RLP (Restricted Limited Plumbing) Contractor

4. Plumbing Technician

5. State & Local Government Technician – Plumbing

6. Private Educational Institution Technician – Plumbing

Each type designates the approved job duties.

License eligibility requirements include:

Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor: 9 months (1,500 hours) of full-time hands-on experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing systems. 750 hours of the experience requirement may be in academic or technical training.

Plumbing Technician: 18 months (3,000 hours) of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing systems. 

Plumbing Contractor: Two years of experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing systems. Plumbing education can fulfill one of those years. 

There are no continuing education requirements.

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

Salaries for Plumbers in North Carolina

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 North Carolina?

Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in North Carolina for 2024 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $46,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,300

• Senior 4-6 years: $60,700

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

Industry Apprenticeships

Another way to get the training you need to become a plumber is through an apprenticeship. Most apprenticeships are three to five years long and require you to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license, and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better. Union plumbing apprenticeships are offered in North Carolina through the United Association local union chapter Joint Apprenticeship Training Center like UA Local 421 in Concord, NC with training centers in Concord, Charleston, Camp Lejeune and Wendell. They offer apprenticeships to plumbers, pipe fitters, gas fitters, and service technicians.

Plumbing companies also hire apprentices directly. You can find plumbing apprenticeship listings on job boards of plumbing company websites, and apply directly to the company.

For more information about apprenticeship opportunities, check out ApprenticeshipNC. 

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Virginia and South Carolina.

• Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, VA 

• Midlands Technical College in Columbia, SC

• Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort, SC

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