Plumbing school courses for potential plumbers are available through college education as well as through unions and non union organizations. Even if a potential plumber completes college coursework an apprenticeship must be completed. Potential apprentices must be at least 18 years of age and have a college degree or a GED.

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada can provide information on coursework available to potential plumbers. Persons without plumbing experience can enroll in a 5 year apprenticeship program that involves classroom time as well as on the job experience.

The National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors and the National Fire Sprinkler Association Nonunion training and apprenticeship programs provide information on plumbing courses and education study materials and information on how to become a licensed plumber.

To acquire appropriate plumber training on has to become an apprentice plumber. Each state has individual criteria that must be met. Usually this criteria is the same from state to state with variations on specifics such as number of hours required for specific parts of education, with the general time required for apprenticeship remaining consistent from state to state.

Advances in plumbing have created a need for plumbers who are computer literate. Appropriate education concerning technologies for computers specific to the area of plumbing are available through these apprenticeship programs and through coursework at colleges.