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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 Ocean State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 17% growth rate in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island posted across Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to launch a plumbing career in Rhode Island.
Accredited Rhode Island 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.” This all holds true for plumbers in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island requires a state-issued license for apprentices, journeymen, and master plumbers. Additionally, plumbing professionals who work on underground utility lines need to hold an underground utility contractor’s license.
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s (DLT) Plumbers and Irrigators branch is responsible for issuing plumbing licenses across the state.
The following Rhode Island trade schools offer plumbing training programs:
New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich
Note: In the past, Community College of Rhode Island, with campuses in Warwick, Newport, Providence, and Lincoln, has offered a plumbing apprenticeship program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. However, the option was not listed on its website at the time of publication.
In addition, Providence Career and Technical Academy offers plumbing trade education to high school students.
Apprenticeships are offered through the Rhode Island Construction Training Academy, Rhode Island Master Plumber and Mechanical Association (RIMPMA), and Rhode Island Association PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors).
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Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of 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 Rhode Island, require education in conjunction with an apprenticeship.
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 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 Rhode Island such as:
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 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 Rhode Island community colleges on average is $3,950 per year for in-state students and $10,582 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
The New England Institute of Technology offers a two-year associate’s degree program in Plumbing and Heating Technology. Apprentice plumbers in Rhode Island are required to complete at least five years of on-the-job training as well as 576 hours of related classroom instruction to complete the apprenticeship and qualify for the journeyman plumber examination.
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 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 training centers and trade schools in Rhode Island.
New England Institute of Technology
Offers an associate’s degree in Plumbing and Heating Technology
Rhode Island Construction Training Academy
Offers core curriculum apprenticeship course geared toward the first year in any trade, as well as pipefitting and sprinkler-fitting programs
Rhode Island Master Plumber and Mechanical Association
Offers plumbing and pipefitting apprenticeship programs
Offers the required 576 hours of accredited plumbing theory coursework to be completed in conjunction with an apprenticeship
Steps for Enrollment in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires a state-issued license for apprentices, journeymen, and master plumbers—each with their own requirements.
Apprentice: Candidates typically need a high school diploma or its equivalent, photo ID, and a valid driver’s license to be eligible. First, candidates need to apply directly to a company or sponsor that offers plumbing apprentice programs, and then register with the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship.
Apprentice plumbers in Rhode Island need to complete at least five years of on-the-job training as well as 576 hours of related classroom instruction approved by the DLT. There is no registration fee or required testing to become an apprentice plumber.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, sponsoring companies need to fill out the Apprenticeship Completion Form and submit it to the DLT within 45 days.
Journeyman: After completing an apprenticeship, a journeyman candidate can take the journeyman plumber examination to become a licensed plumber. You must complete the plumbing exam in person at the RI Department of Labor and Training in Cranston.
Master: To become eligible for the Rhode Island master plumber exam, candidates need a minimum of five years of proven work experience, with at least one of those years as a journeyman plumber.
Rhode Island requires seven hours of continuing education for every two-year Rhode Island plumbing license cycle for both journeyman and master plumbers.
Note: An individual who performs the installation, repair, alteration, or replacement of underground utilities, sewer lines, storm drainage lines, or water lines requires a Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor license.
For a detailed explanation of Rhode Island’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Rhode Island Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Rhode Island for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $49,800
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,300
Senior 4-6 years: $64,900
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is required in order to become a plumber in Rhode Island. In addition to the training centers already listed in this article, apprenticeships are offered through:
Employer sponsors throughout the state
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts:
Porter and Chester Institute in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Southeastern Technical Institute in South Easton, Massachusetts
The Peterson School, with Massachusetts locations in Woburn, Westwood, Worcester, and Haverhill
You can find the training you need to excel in a plumbing industry career in Rhode Island. The opportunities are all around you.
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