Plumbing Schools in Oklahoma: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma, which requires anyone performing plumbing work to either be licensed or working in an apprenticeship under a licensed professional. To become a licensed journeyman plumber, a three-year registered plumbing apprenticeship (or a mix of education and experience) is required. 

The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) oversees plumbing licenses for the state, while some localities have their own licensing requirements. 

The following Oklahoma trade schools offer plumbing programs:

• Mid-Del Technology Center in Del City and Midwest City (Maple Drive)

• Wes Watkins Technology Center in Wetumka

• Central Tech in Drumright and Sapulpa

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. 

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 Oklahoma, such as:

• Oklahoma State University in Stillwater

• The University of Oklahoma in Norman

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 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 Oklahoma community colleges on average is $3,475 per year for in-state students and $7,963 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. To qualify for the journeyman plumbing exam in Oklahoma, you must have three years of experience working under a licensed plumber. However, an associate degree or CareerTech diploma in a plumbing program with 1,000 hours in the classroom may count as two years experience. 500 hours of education can count as one year of experience. 

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 educational 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 Oklahoma:

Mid-Del Technology Center

• Offers a 900-hour Plumber Apprenticeship program

Wes Watkins Technology Center

• Offers a Facility Maintenance Technician - Plumbing program

Central Tech

• Offers a Plumbing Technology program

Steps for Enrollment in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma

Oklahoma grants two licensing types, each with their own requirements.

Journeyman plumber: Applicants must first complete a three-year registered apprenticeship. An associate’s degree or CareerTech diploma in a plumbing program with 1,000 hours in the classroom may shave off two years experience. 500 hours of education can count as one year of experience. 

Alternatively, three years of plumbing experience while serving in the U.S. military or an out-of-state plumbing license in good standing condition meets the experience requirements. 

Upon completion of the hands-on/educational experience requirements, aspiring plumbers can apply for the journeyman exam. 

Plumbing contractor: Applicants for a plumbing contractor license must meet the same requirements as for the journeyman license, plus one additional year of experience in the plumbing trade. 

Licensed plumbers are required to complete six hours of continuing education every three years.

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

Salaries for Plumbers in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma?

According to the BLS, the annual mean salary for a plumber in the state of Oklahoma is $52,790. As with all professions, salaries can increase with experience.

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To become an apprentice in Oklahoma, you must find a sponsoring employer or formal apprenticeship program, then register with the state. 

Oklahoma Works maintains a list of plumbing apprenticeship programs. Current opportunities include:

• DaVco Mechanical Contractors in Sperry

• Dense Mechanical in Enid and Oklahoma City

• Northwest Plumbing and Mechanical in Enid

• Pippin Brothers Home Services in Lawton

• Plumbers and Pipefitters JATC Local 344 in Oklahoma City

• UA Local 430 in Tulsa

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Arkansas and Kansas:

• NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) in Bentonville, AR

• Arkansas State University Beebe in Beebe, AR

• Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park, KS

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