Plumbing Apprenticeship Program

Accredited & Registered with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council (MATC)

Plumbing Apprenticeship Graduation — 2024 4th Year Graduating Class – Catonsville

Plumbing Apprenticeship Graduation 2024 — 2024 4th Year Graduating Class – Essex

The Maryland Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Apprenticeship program is fully accredited and registered with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council, Department of Labor and Industry, registration number MATC 1430. The program is approved for veterans benefits as approved by the Veterans Administration.

Classes are held September through May, two evenings a week from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., 55 sessions, 165 hours per year. Tuition includes all books and special courses. The curriculum covers Related Theory Instruction, Trade Mathematics, OSHA Construction Safety, General Safety, Adult First Aide, Adult CPR, Blue Print Reading and State Plumbing Code. Special course training; third-year apprentices attend 36-hour Journey Gas Fitters Course; fourth-year apprentices attend the 32-hour Backflow Certification Course approved by the State of Maryland. Both courses are included in our curriculum.

TRANSFER: We accept transfer students. Students who have attended and completed an Apprenticeship Program registered with the Maryland Apprenticeship & Training Council registered in the State of Maryland may transfer their records and register to attend our program.

TUITION: Tuition for Maryland Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractor member employees includes all books and special courses including CPR Training, OSHA Safety Courses and Backflow Certification Course. 2024-2025 tuition rate is $2100 for MPHCC Members, $4200 for non-members.

SKIP TEST: Apprentices with 2,000 hours of documented experience working in the industry while holding a Maryland State Board of Plumbing Apprentice Certificate, are eligible to sit for the skip test. To apply, send a letter documenting the hours worked on the job signed by the Master Plumber, along with a copy of the applicants’ State Apprentice certificate. A grade of 75% or higher is required in order to skip the first year of the program. If the applicant has 4,000 hours of experience, and passes the first-year skip test with a score of 85%, he/she is eligible to take a skip test for the second year which must be passed with a score of 75% or higher. No applicant may skip more than two years. Skip tests are held in August prior to school starting.

Classes will be held at the following locations:

Catonsville Community College

800 S. Rolling Road

Baltimore, Maryland

Monday & Wednesday

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Essex Community College

7201 Rossville Blvd.

Baltimore, MD

Tuesday & Thursday

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

For additional information please contact the Maryland PHCC office (410) 461-5977.

How On-The-Job Training and Professional Instruction Can Help You Become a Licensed Journey Plumber

Why should I start an apprenticeship program to become a plumber?

Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related professional instruction. In a four-year period, you complete the required 7500 hours of supervised on-the-job work experience and learn the skills and knowledge that will help you to pass the State Journey test.

How Do I Apply?

Complete the enclosed application and return it to our office along with the required documents listed on the checklist on the reverse side of this brochure.

When Do I Start Work?

Once your application is received, if you do not already work for a plumbing company, your name will go into a pool of Apprentices looking for work. We regularly inform our members that we have Apprentices available. Should they wish to contact you for an interview, they will reach out to you directly. Because we cannot guarantee job placement, we strongly recommend that you contact plumbing companies in your area and inquire if they are hiring Apprentices.

The starting wage is 50% of the average Journeyperson’s wage, and you will receive periodic raises while you are in the apprenticeship program. You work approximately 40 hours per week in order to complete 7500 hours within the four-year period.

Note: We are not a Job Placement Agency and, therefore, we cannot guarantee job placement.

When do I Start School?

With your sponsoring contractor’s approval, you will begin related professional classroom instruction. Classes begin in September and run through April. Classes meet two evenings a week from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Who Sponsors the Program?

Maryland PHCC sponsors apprentices and registers the apprentices with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council (M.A.T.C.), and keeps records on attendance and on-the-job training. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded at the end of each school year if a passing grade is achieved.