Trade Schools
If you live in Virginia and want to start a career in the plumbing field, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best schools in your state that offer training for this profession.
Typically plumbers learn the skills for this profession on the job, by enrolling in an apprenticeship.
Some also attend a vocational school before starting the apprenticeship.
The programs included in our list focus on teaching job-ready skills, such as:
- Reading blueprints
- Understanding and applying plumbing code requirements
- Installing plumbing systems
- Repairing plumbing fixtures
- Math for plumbers
- Providing information to customers about their plumbing
- And more
Classes are available in person as well as online to fit different lifestyles and schedules.
We encourage you to read further and choose the format that best works for you.
1Virginia Technical Institute
About the School
Virginia Technical Institute offers a Technical Studies program that includes hands-on training in a variety of fields including electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, welding, carpentry, and more.
Technical Studies uses a curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research, which is stackable, portable, and nationally recognized credential.
Students can earn this certification as they seek their degree or students can attend as non-degree seekers.
Courses Offered
The plumbing program available at Virginia Technical Institute includes an introduction to the plumbing profession, plumbing safety, plumbing tools, plumbing math, plumbing drawings, plastic pipe, and more, reading commercial drawings, installing, water heaters, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Ogden Road, Altavista, Virginia 24517
- Phone: 434-369-8200
- Website: https://www.govti.org
2Jasa Inc. Trade School
About the School
Jasa Inc. Trade School is a leading provider of trade education.
The school helps students start their careers in electrical, plumbing, or HVAC fields.
The curriculums are available online while hands-on labs and instruction are conducted in person at any of the school’s lab locations, or students can receive a kit in the mail.
The average student completes their course blocks within 10-12 weeks.
Most students have families and part-time/full-time jobs while attending school.
The school is accredited through IACET.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-341-1459
- Website: https://jasainctradeschool.com
3Virginia Technical Academy
About the School
Virginia Technical Academy offers accelerated education courses in the following fields:
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Building/Property Maintenance
- Electrical
- Appliance Repair
The Plumbing Career Track Program is a comprehensive, accredited course that offers educational courses to supplement on-the-job training.
Students learn how to install, operate, maintain, and repair plumbing fixtures, fittings, piping, water supply systems, venting, fuel gas systems, and more.
The plumbing career track programs are 180 hours of classroom and lab learning coursework:
- Prerequisites- a core curriculum course
- Plumbing Level I- 120 hours
- Plumbing Level 2- 180 hours
- Plumbing Level 3- 180 hours
- Plumbing Level 4- 180 hours
Contact Information
- Address: 809 Omni BlvdNewport News, VA 23606
- Phone: 757-586-5322
- Website: https://vtacademy.com
4Piedmont Virginia Community College
About the School
Piedmont Virginia Community College helps students start a career in skilled trades through an Introduction to Construction program.
The entry-level course is the recommended first course for all trades students and a prerequisite to most specialty courses.
The topics covered by this program include basic safety, construction math, introduction to hand and power tools, construction drawings, basic rigging, communication skills, and more.
The following plumbing programs are also available:
- Plumbing- Level 1- a course that includes 110 contact hours and covers topics such as the plumbing profession, plumbing safety, tools of the trade, drawings, pipe and fitting types, and more
- Plumbing- Level 2- a 145-contact hour course that covers reading commercial drawings, structural penetrations, installing and testing DWV piping, installing roof, installing and testing water supply piping, types of valves, and more
Contact Information
- Address: 501 College Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Phone: 434.977.3900
- Website: https://www.pvcc.edu
5Central Virginia Community College
About the School
Central Virginia Community College offers a program designed for students who want to start a career as a plumber.
This program includes stackable credentials and each credential takes four months to complete.
The program covers the concepts technicians need to safely install, test, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems for residential, commercial, and public buildings.
Students learn math, drawings, code, and other critical skills to ensure learners are set up for job success.
Contact Information
- Address: 3506 Wards Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502
- Phone: (434) 832-7600 | (800) 562-3060
- Website: https://centralvirginia.edu
6Associated Builders and Contractors
About the School
Associated Builders and Contractors offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program that prepares students for plumbing tasks such as:
- Installing pipes and fixtures
- Studying blueprints and following state and local building codes
- Inspecting and testing installed pipe systems and pipelines
- Troubleshooting systems that are not working
- Replacing worn parts
- And more
Courses Offered
The four parts of the program cover topics such as:
- Introduction to the Plumbing Profession
- Plumbing Safety
- Plumbing Tools
- Introduction to Plumbing Math
- Introduction to Plumbing Drawings
- Fixtures and Faucets
- Types of Valves
- Introduction to electricity
- Applied Math
- Types of Venting
- Compressed Air
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Codes
- Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 42680 Trade Waste Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
- Phone: (703) 968-6205
- Website: https://abcva.org
7Center for Apprenticeship & Adult Training
About the School
The Center for Apprenticeship & Adult Training offers a 144-hour plumbing apprentice program.
The four-year program includes four levels offered once a year every fall.
Students learn about topics such as:
- Types of pipe fittings and fixtures
- DMV
- Water distribution systems
- Installation
- Valves
- Water testing
- And more
The hands-on portion of the training should be done with an apprentice sponsor.
Students don’t need an apprentice sponsor before starting classes but they need to begin working with one in order to complete the requirements for testing.
Contact Information
- Address: 520 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666
- Phone: 757-766-1101
- Website: https://nhrec.org
8Laurel Ridge Community College
About the School
Laurel Ridge Community College offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship, Journeyman, and Licensure Program.
The program is available at the Fauquier Campus.
The program contains the hours and content to satisfy the educational requirements for Plumbing registered apprenticeships, as well as the educational requirements to obtain state Plumbing licensure and Plumbing Journeyman status.
Students who enter the Level I Plumbing class don’t need prior coursework or industry experience.
The Level I class introduces students to basic safety, introduction to construction math, hand tools, and power tools, and an orientation to the plumbing trades and plumbing safety skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 6480 College St. Warrenton, VA 20187
- Phone:540-351-1505
- Website: https://laurelridge.edu
9Virginia Wesleyan University
About the School
Virginia Wesleyan University offers an online Foundations of Plumbing course that teaches students specialized plumbing skills and terminology for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
Students learn:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety
- The function of components required for the construction of standard piping and water supply systems
- The use and meaning of specialty drawings
- The application and installation of standard plumbing fixtures
- How to identify piping materials
- And more
The course also teaches math, geometry, and physical principles.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes the following courses:
- Plumbing History, Codes, and Principles
- Tools of the Plumbing Trade
- First Aid and Safety
- Piping Materials
- Water Heaters
- Building Plans, Drawings, and Scale Rulers
- Sketching
- Soldering, Brazing, Cutting, and Gas Welding
- Cross-Connection Protection and Pipe Identification
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5817 Wesleyan Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.vwu.edu
10Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute offers the following Virginia Online Plumber courses:
- Journeyman & Master Plumber exam prep
- Continuing education
The following exam prep classes are available:
- Virginia 2021 IPC Journeyman and Master Plumber exam prep- a 12-hour course that costs $389
- Virginia Master Plumber Isometrics- a three-hour course that costs $59
- Virginia Plumbing Math- a one-hour video course that costs $29
- Virginia Plumbing Vents- a one-hour course that costs $29.
Plumbers Training Institute classes may be completed from anywhere, anytime.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-284-8738
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 210 | $53,780 | $25.86 | $76,370 | $40,510 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 280 | $57,940 | $27.86 | $73,960 | $43,880 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 290 | $56,440 | $27.14 | $79,730 | $39,970 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 340 | $53,240 | $25.60 | $71,700 | $38,530 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,060 | $58,810 | $28.27 | $76,720 | $40,540 |
| Roanoke, VA | 470 | $52,740 | $25.36 | $70,720 | $37,310 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 90 | $52,710 | $25.34 | $67,220 | $37,070 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 4,980 | $57,890 | $27.83 | $72,780 | $43,560 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 140 | $56,350 | $27.09 | $75,860 | $39,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about construction and want to start a rewarding career in trades, the plumbing profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our list of the best Plumbing schools in the state of Virginia, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
