15 Best Plumbing Schools in Arizona in 2024 | How to Apply

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Are you in search of the best plumbing schools in Arizona? Search no more; we’ve got you covered.

This article fully reviews the best plumbing schools in Arizona, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.

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Plumbing is any system that transports fluids for a variety of purposes. Pipes transport fluids using pipes, valves, fixtures, tanks, and other devices.

This is an ancient trade, and plumbers work with lead, which is commonly found in the sewage system.

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Their occupation derives its name from the Latin word for lead.

The demand for plumbers has never been greater. Arizona’s growing population drives the construction of new residential and commercial properties that require new pipes and fixtures. 

With so many career options available, you might want to consider a career in plumbing. Plumbers benefit from competitive starting salaries, the best positions, job stability, opportunities to work independently, and various work environments, including residential, industrial, and commercial installations, maintenance, and repair. 

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Plumbing programs cover basic and advanced courses in the shortest time possible, and the best part is the guarantee of immediate employment upon completion of the program.

To enter the trade, one must first receive training, pass a test, and obtain a license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).

Apprenticeship is the preferred method of training for these professionals. Some people, however, prefer to attend a vocational school or college. This type of training also necessitates apprenticeships.

To be accepted into apprenticeship programs or vocational schools, you must be at least 18 years old.

This article will walk you through the various plumbing schools in Arizona and other important information you’ll need to succeed in this field.

See Also: 15 Best Plumbing Schools In Missouri|Requirements

Is Plumbing a Good Career Path in Arizona?

Plumbing is a rewarding career that will always be in demand. Because almost every building has pipes and water flow, experts will always be needed to repair and maintain them. 

Plumbing is a disaster-proof career because, in a disaster or pandemic like the COVID-19 outbreak, people rely on clean, flowing water more than ever.

The more buildings are constructed and the larger and more complex their water systems are, the more plumbers are needed in Arizona. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumber employment is expected to grow by more than 14 percent through 2028, and job opportunities are expected to be plentiful in Arizona. That means plumbers are in short supply and in high demand. Plumbing is also secure because the installation, maintenance, and repairs a plumber performs cannot be automated, so a machine won’t replace you.

Are there Plumbing Schools in Arizona?

  • National Technical Institute
  • GateWay Community College
  • East Valley Institute of Technology
  • Mesa Community College
  • Pima Community College
  • South Mountain Community College
  • Arizona Western College
  • Tohono O’odham Community College
  • Rio Salado College
  • Vocational Training Institute
  • UEI College
  • Maricopa Institute of Technology
  • 13. Universal Technical Institute
  • Phoenix College
  • Einstein’s School of Trades 

How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Arizona?

To work as a plumber in Arizona, you must have a state contractor’s license. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues three types of contracts: commercial, residential, and dual, covering both commercial and residential work. 

Plumbers with the Special Residential Contracting License, Plumbing R-37 license can install and repair water and gas piping, sewage treatment, and fire protection systems. Plumbers with the Specialty Commercial Contracting License, Plumbing C-37, can install, alter, and repair all plumbing within property lines.

You need to take these steps to become a licensed plumber in Arizona.

Step 1: Finish Your Education

A high school diploma or equivalent GED is required in Arizona to obtain a plumbing license. Basic literacy, writing, math, and science skills are essential, especially in the pro-trade industry.

Step 2: Register for a Technical Course

After completing your formal education, enrolling in a technical course is the next step toward becoming a licensed plumber. Fortunately for you, public and private programs in Arizona offer specialized courses.

Step 3: Look for an Apprenticeship Program.

To become licensed, you must have prior plumbing experience. To be eligible to apply for a license in Arizona, you must have four years of cumulative experience. Finding an approved apprenticeship program is one of the best ways to gain the necessary expertise.

Step 4: Sign up for the Examination

The Internet is the quickest and most convenient way to register for your exam. PSI recommends that candidates register for their exams online using a valid Visa or MasterCard. PSI’s website, www.psiexams.com, is where you can quickly register.

The second most convenient method for registering for exams is to make a quick phone call to PSI’s interactive voice system, preferably at night or to live registrars during the day. Visa and MasterCard are required, just as they are for online registration. Call (800) 733-9276 at any time of day or night.

Step 5: Take the Examinations

Once you have accumulated four years of experience, you can sit for an exam. Exams can be taken in Arizona through companies like Prometric. Aside from the standard plumbing exam, you must take a business management exam.

Step 6: Finally, fill out an application for an Arizona plumbing license.

You can apply for your residential or commercial license after successfully passing your exams. Begin by downloading and printing your contractor license application from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, whose contact information is as follows:

The Registrar of Contractors of the State of Arizona 3838 North Central Avenue Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 542-1525 www.azroc.gov

How to Renew Your Plumbing License in Arizona

Renewal exams consist of three separate “open book” examinations (i.e., Plumber/Gas Fitter, Mechanical, or Gas Fitter). The passing grade is 70%. Failure to pass any renewal examination will necessitate retaking and passing the initial journeyman test.

The renewal information letter and exams will be mailed to the licensee’s most recent address on file approximately one month before the expiration date.

Make sure your address is up to date. It is your responsibility to renew before the expiration date. There are no exceptions or grace periods.

The fee schedule specifies the renewal fee for individual and combination licenses. The fee must be paid before the license can be issued. This fee is non-refundable.

How Much Do Plumbers Make in Arizona?

The average annual salary for a plumber in Arizona is $47,643. If you need a quick salary calculator, it works out to about $22.91 per hour. This is the equivalent of $916 per week or $3,970 per month.

In Arizona, the majority of Plumber salaries currently range from $40,632 (25th percentile) to $59,014 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) earning $71,107 per year.

The average pay range for a Plumber varies greatly (as much as $18,382), implying that there may be numerous opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.

How Long is Plumbing School in Arizona?

It will take at least four years to qualify for the Specialty Contractors license exam and apply for your license in Arizona. Still, you will most likely have spent some time taking classes first, or an apprenticeship will take five years. 

As an apprentice, you will be paid while learning what you need to know to pass the state licensing exam. Similarly, if you first take classes as part of a certificate program or earn an Associate degree, you will still need to gain the required four years of experience while being paid.

15 Best Plumbing Schools in Arizona

After thorough research, rankings, reviews, and value offers, we have curated a list of the best plumbing schools in Arizona.

Below is the list of the best plumbing schools in Arizona in 2023.

#1. National Technical Institute

NTI strives to provide students with the hands-on training that employers seek so that its graduates are immediately employable in the plumbing job market. Without sacrificing quality, NTI teaches rapidly to provide its graduates with the plumbing skills they require in the shortest time possible, allowing them to earn a higher income sooner.

NTI is deeply committed to its students’ success and will do everything possible to improve their future.

It also serves those interested in entering the technical trades and those who are already employed and want to improve their skills. NTI students are driven and determined to advance in their careers.

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#2. GateWay Community College

GateWay Community College’s Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Construction Trades – Mechanical Trades: Plumbing program prepares students to work in the plumbing sector in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional settings. 

The theoretical and hands-on curriculum covers basic and advanced plumbing calculations, system installation, safety, material selection, and scientific principles. Hands-on training will also cover the treatment of public, private, and individual gas, water, heating, waste, and specialized piping systems, cross-connection protection, plumbing code, and blueprint reading. 

Instructors will provide additional training in basic electricity and plumbing troubleshooting. To graduate from the program, students must achieve a grade of at least C in all courses.

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Read More: 15 Best Plumbing Schools In Louisiana|Requirements

#3. East Valley Institute of Technology

The Plumbing Service and Repair Technician Program at EBIT trains students to work as qualified plumbing service, repair, and installation technicians. Plumbing theory, hands-on assessments, and practical, real-world activities will all be included in the training. 

Construction trades safety, customer service and communication skills, professionalism, problem-solving, residential water safety, green technologies, sales and marketing strategies, job readiness, and green technologies are covered in this program. 

Graduates will receive George Brazil Plumbing and National Center for Construction Education and Research certifications and other manufacturer specialty certifications. They will be qualified for entry-level jobs as repair and installation technicians. 

This is a dual enrollment class—Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

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#4. Mesa Community College

Construction Trades Certificate: Plumbing teaches students the fundamentals of plumbing. The curriculum covers fundamental construction skills such as safety, costs, construction drawings, fixtures, pipes and fittings, waste, drain, vent, and water distribution systems. 

Students will learn to apply OSHA standards in their daily work, perform calculations in the plumbing trade, effectively communicate with stakeholders, repair plumbing systems with appropriate tools, interpret construction plans, and maintain workspace according to professional standards.

To graduate from the program, students must receive a grade of C or higher in all courses. Graduates of the Certificate of Competency program may pursue an Associate in Applied Science in Construction Trades.

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Read More: 15 Best Plumbing Schools In Maine|Requirements

#5. South Mountain Community College

South Mountain Community College’s plumbing program includes everything students need to get started in the plumbing industry. All covered are power tool fundamentals, distribution and disposal systems, calculations and blueprint reading, pipes, fittings, fixtures, and safety.

 The coursework is delivered in a hybrid format, allowing students to complete the theory online while also gaining hands-on experience on campus and with affiliate partners. 

Every student will be assigned an Academic Advisor. Graduates will benefit from the school’s job interview guarantee with local industry partners.

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#6. Pima Community College

Pima Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution that serves students and employers in Pima County, Arizona, and beyond. The Community College welcomes anyone seeking a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Additionally, the school is rapidly evolving into a high-tech institution serving the needs of the region’s expanding aerospace, defense, and healthcare industries. Pima is focused on strengthening partnerships and expanding employer engagement in critical areas, such as Applied Technology, Information Technology, and Health Professions, to ensure that today’s students are prepared for many years.

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Read More: Best Plumbing Schools In Canada For International Students

#7. Arizona Western College

The plumbing Career and Technical Education Division represents instructional plumbing programs and services at Arizona Western College designed to help you prepare for the workforce and support your educational and professional development goals.

According to labor market data, 65 percent of jobs in today’s workforce are classified as “skilled and technical.” Jobs in this classification require training beyond high school but do not always necessitate a four-year degree. 

Choosing a Career and Technical Education plumbing program at AWC means you can be on your way to a new career or a better position in your current field in two years or less – or you can begin in an occupationally related Associate’s Degree program for transfer towards your Bachelor’s Degree.

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#8. Tohono O’odham Community College

The vision of the Tohono O’odham Community College plumbing program is to become the Tohono O’odham Nation’s center for higher education and increase the nation’s participation in local, state, national, and global communities.

Tohono O’odham Community College’s mission, as an accredited land grant institution, is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by providing holistic, high-quality higher plumbing education services. 

These services will include opportunities for research and programs addressing academic, life, and development skills.

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#9. Rio Salado College

Construction Trades Certificate of Completion (CCL): The plumbing program is intended to provide students with the knowledge, safety, and skills in the plumbing construction trade.

 Safety, codes, construction drawings, tools, fixtures, pipes and fittings, drain, waste, and vent systems, and water distribution systems are all covered in this program. Students can work as plumbing technicians on residential and commercial construction sites.

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Read More: 15 Best Plumbing Schools In California|Requirements

#10. Vocational Training Institute

As a student in VTI’s plumbing training program, you will learn theory in the classroom and have a lot of hands-on experience in VTI’s workshops. VTI instructors bring years of practical experience to the workshop and concentrate on the skills you need to know.

 Furthermore, VTI lifetime job placement assistance, personal job leads, and relocation assistance will help you jump-start your career but will also help you along the way, no matter where life takes you.

VTI is proud to be a licensed postsecondary education school and an approved Ferris State University and ESCO Institute testing and certification center.

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#11. UEI College

At UEI, you can get plumbing career training and skills that will help you build a future you can be proud of. UEI believes that every student should have the opportunity to have a better future and will work with you to make that happen. 

Even when obstacles arise, UEA’s supportive faculty and staff are committed to assisting you in reaching your goals. 

A professional team designs UEI College’s plumbing programs to provide effective web-based learning. Instructors/mentors participate actively in your online learning experience, answering questions and concerns and encouraging and motivating you to succeed.

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#12. Maricopa Institute of Technology

The Plumbing Program at MIT is filled with lessons that will teach you the fundamentals of plumbing in as little as four months. You’ll learn about bathroom and kitchen layout design, plumbing math and codes, architectural abbreviations and symbols, and much more. Begin our plumbing program whenever it is convenient, and study at your own pace.

Plumbing courses include the following: Plumbing textbooks and study guides are described in detail, as are job hunting and time management strategies.

Invitations to live events with professionals in their fields

Unlimited tutoring and supervision by an instructor

Open-book exams are given online.

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#13. Universal Technical Institute

The UTI plumbing program curriculum covered nearly every area of interest for starting a career in heavy-duty mechanics. The instructors are highly knowledgeable and did an outstanding job of keeping all students engaged. 

There are both classroom and hands-on shop components for each module. Each module’s testing assessed your knowledge and comprehension of the material presented. After finishing the course, you will work on various heavy-duty equipment and as a port captain for a crew boat company that services oil and gas platforms off the coast of Arizona.

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#14. Einstein’s School of Trades 

Everything you need to know about plumbing is covered in the Einstein School of Trades plumbing course, including fundamentals, mathematics, blueprint reading, waste systems, water supply systems, finish and advanced plumbing, and more.

After completing the Einstein School of Trades’ plumbing course, the graduates have the technical knowledge and positive work habits needed to succeed in this high-paying, high-demand field.

Einstein’s School of Trades offers an enhanced Virtual Reality learning environment within the Metaverse that has assisted countless students in obtaining state certification plumbing.

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#15. Phoenix College

Phoenix College provides a quality plumbing education that fosters multicultural understanding and critical thinking skills, as well as the personalized support, care, and learning experiences required for students to achieve their goals.

They also serve approximately 17,000 students like you each year with over 150 degrees and certificates in plumbing. 

The College works hard to prepare you for your next step, whether it’s university transfer, career training, advancement, or lifelong learning.

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How Much Do Plumbing Schools Cost in Arizona?

In Arizona, tuition and materials will cost you between $1,000 and $18,000. Your total cost will be determined by the location of your school, whether you attend part-time or full-time, and how long it takes you to complete the program.

Plumbing school costs vary greatly depending on the type of program and whether it is public or private. Because tuition rates are not regulated, it is critical to consider all costs when budgeting for school.

Plumbing school comes with several additional costs. Books and tools, for example, will cost around $2,000. A plumber’s license can cost between $200 and $400. Certification is optional but highly recommended and costs around $300.

Plumbing Schools in Arizona FAQs

In Arizona, how long does it take to become a plumber?

You could start with an apprenticeship, which typically lasts four to five years and combines hands-on training with classroom instruction. You may decide to enroll in a certificate or diploma program.

Is a plumbing license required in Arizona?

A plumbing license is also required in Arizona to work as a plumber. After passing the plumbing examination, the State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues separate licenses for commercial and residential work for each trade or construction field.

In Arizona, how quickly can you learn to be a plumber?

Depending on your path to becoming a star plumber, it can take up to 3-4 years to complete your qualifications. If you want to take more traditional, fail-safe routes, such as an apprenticeship (roughly four years) or S/NVQ Level 3 qualification, this is the way to go (around three years).

Conclusion

Plumbing trade schools in Arizona will prepare you to work as a plumber in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. You’ll need trade-specific skills, training, licenses, and certifications to succeed as an aspiring plumber.

Those who enjoy working with their hands will find this one of the most rewarding career paths. A good associate degree focusing on practical and theoretical knowledge will help you excel as a professional plumber.

I hope you found what you were looking for on our list of the best plumbing schools in Arizona. Pls, share!

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