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What Are the Courses in an Online Plumbing Certification Program?
What Are the Courses in an Online Plumbing Certification Program?
If you've taken the steps to become a plumber and have acquired adequate supervised work experience, you might consider obtaining a certification that demonstrates your skills and knowledge. A number of schools and organizations offer online programs that, while training you in the plumbing trade, also prepare you for licensure and certification. Read on to learn more.
About Plumbing Certifications
It will be necessary for you to pass an examination in order to qualify for a plumber certification. Depending upon your specific trade, you must first accumulate up to several thousand hours of work experience in order to become eligible to take a certification examination. Below are some courses you can take through a plumbing course to prepare you for certification.
<h3 id="section---ImportantInformationAboutThisFieldOfStudy"> Important Information About This Field of Study</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> Must be 18; some courses require you to be sponsored by a licensed plumbing contractor</td></tr>
<tr><td>Specializations</td><td> Journeyman, pump and irrigation specialist, backflow certification</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Courses are available completely online or split between hands-on-training and online lessons</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Residential, commercial, and contract plumbers</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $59,880 <i>(all plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters)</i>*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Growth (2021-2031)</td><td> 2% <i>(all plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters)</i>*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---BasicWelding">Basic Welding</h3><p>As a student pursuing a plumbing certification, you should be able to demonstrate basic welding and cutting techniques. You should be familiar with fillers, gases, and electrodes, as well as various brazing, soldering, and welding methods. You should also know how to work with oxy-fuel and welding equipment.
</p><h3 id="section---TechnicalPlumbingKnowledge">Technical Plumbing Knowledge</h3><p>You must be able to perform the basic functions of a plumber. This means that you will be required to display expertise in the installation and maintenance of pipe fixtures as well as heating, cooling, lubrication, natural gas, and hot water systems.
</p><h3 id="section---BlueprintReading">Blueprint Reading</h3><p>You should be capable of reading and interpreting blueprints and specification sheets. The profession may require that you know how to identify specific details related to floor plans, foundations, schedules, and elevations. You may have to demonstrate your abilities in these and other key areas.
</p><h3 id="section---PlumbingDiagrams">Plumbing Diagrams</h3><p>As an aspiring plumbing professional, you should be able to sketch diagrams that can be used for plumbing jobs. You should be comfortable with the process of assessing plumbing plans for commercial and domestic buildings.
</p><h3 id="section---PlumbingEstimates">Plumbing Estimates</h3><p>It is important that you have the knowledge necessary to estimate the installation costs for different plumbing systems. You should be prepared to estimate quantities of materials for various plumbing projects and be able to order the materials and supplies needed to get the plumbing systems up and running.</p>
