Entry Level Plumber
Training Certificate
Overview
The Entry-Level Plumbing Program at Midlands Technical College provides hands-on training in plumbing fundamentals, equipping students with the technical skills, customer service abilities, and foundational knowledge needed to become a journeyman plumber.
The Entry-Level Plumbing Program is designed to prepare students for entry into the plumbing trade through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on lab experience. Students will learn essential technical skills including cutting and connecting various pipe materials, installing and repairing valves, fixtures, and water tanks, and understanding drain-waste-vent and water distribution systems. Alongside technical training, the program emphasizes practical math applications, blueprint reading, material take-off, and the fundamentals of backflow prevention. Customer service skills are woven into the curriculum to ensure graduates can communicate effectively with clients and work efficiently in real-world job settings. In the capstone course, students will apply their skills by designing and installing a complete residential bathroom system—from creating a materials list to pressure testing the finished installation. Graduates will be prepared to pursue entry-level positions in residential or commercial plumbing or to continue their education toward licensure or advanced certifications. This program is ideal for career changers, recent high school graduates, or anyone seeking a stable and rewarding career in the skilled trades.
What are the steps to becoming a licensed plumber?
In South Carolina, you need two years of hands-on work experience, as well as a passing score on the appropriate exam, before you can apply for your journeyman's plumbing license. MTC offers hands-on and classroom learning to cover all the basic skills you will need to pursue a career in plumbing, paving the path for you to eventually get your plumbing license.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $56,330 in May 2020, and about 51,000 job openings are projected each year, on average, until 2030.
- What will my courses be like?
You’ll learn to assist plumbers with plumbing system installations, job-site clean-up, preventative maintenance, and repairs on plumbing systems.
Course topics include:
- Plumbing Math and Print Reading
- Pipes and Fittings
- Valves, Fixtures, and Hot Water Tanks
- Drain-Waste-Vent and Water Distribution Systems
- What happens after I complete the program?
After completing the program, you’ll be in an excellent position to work as a plumber's helper/assistant. Your coursework can distinguish you from other candidates and will ensure you have the skills to succeed on the job.
- Why choose MTC?
At MTC, we're serious about helping you jumpstart your career with the skills you need to succeed. We've developed programs like our plumbing certificate course to provide intensive and complete job training for careers that will be in high demand over the next decade.
You don't have to put your life on hold to access job training, either. Plumbing classes meet in the evening, so you can fit your education around work or family obligations that occur during the day. Tuition assistance, including scholarships and loans, may be available for this program.
How to Enroll
To pursue this certificate, please click on the courses below to see availability. You can register for courses online, and you do not have to apply to the college!
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
| CEUs | Class Hours | Course Title | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20 | 12 |
Customer Service for Plumbing This course introduces plumbing students to the essential customer service skills needed to succeed in residential and commercial service work. Students will learn how to communicate effectively with clients, manage customer expectations, handle complaints professionally, and build long-term trust. Emphasis is placed on punctuality, appearance, active listening, empathy, and follow-through. This course is ideal for students preparing to enter the workforce or transition into customer-facing roles in the skilled trades. Classroom ID: CEPLU-548 We frequently add new sections. Please contact our Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu for more information.
|
$389.00 |
| 1.50 | 15 |
Plumbing Math This course provides students with the foundational math skills required for success in the plumbing trade. The course emphasizes practical, jobsite-relevant applications of basic arithmetic, fractions, decimals, measurement conversions, and formulas used in pipefitting and layout. Students will learn how to calculate areas, volumes, offsets, flow rates, and apply math concepts to solve real-world plumbing problems. This course prepares students to perform accurate measurements, reduce material waste, and increase job efficiency. Classroom ID: CEPLU-549 We frequently add new sections. Please contact our Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu for more information.
|
$395.00 |
| 4.80 | 48 |
Pipes and Fittings This course provides students with hands-on training in the tools, materials, and techniques used to cut, connect, and install piping systems commonly found in residential and commercial plumbing. Students will work with PVC, PEX, PEX-A, copper (using both soldering and ProPress methods), and cast iron. The course also introduces blueprint reading and the interpretation of isometric drawings to help students visualize and plan piping layouts. Best practices in material take-off are integrated throughout the course to reinforce cost awareness, accuracy, and jobsite efficiency. Students will gain critical skills in pipe measurement, layout, and joining techniques that prepare them for success on the job. Classroom ID: CEPLU-550 We frequently add new sections. Please contact our Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu for more information.
|
$1,299.00 |
| 4.80 | 48 |
Valves, Fixtures, Water Tanks This course prepares students to install, diagnose, and repair a wide range of plumbing fixtures and components found in both residential and light commercial settings. Students will gain hands-on experience working with faucets, toilets, sinks, tubs, water heaters, shut-off valves, pressure-reducing valves, and expansion tanks. Emphasis is placed on proper installation techniques, leak detection, troubleshooting procedures, and common repair methods. Through lab-based instruction and simulated service calls, students will build the skills necessary to ensure safe, code-compliant operation of plumbing systems. This course reinforces mechanical aptitude and attention to detail while fostering a strong service-oriented mindset. Classroom ID: CEPLU-551 We frequently add new sections. Please contact our Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu for more information.
|
$1,299.00 |
| 2.40 | 24 |
Drains, Vents, Water Systems This course introduces students to the core plumbing systems that ensure safe water supply and effective wastewater removal. Students will learn the function and layout of drain-waste-vent (DWV) systems and water distribution networks, with an emphasis on proper slope, venting, pipe sizing, and pressure regulation. The course also covers the fundamentals of backflow prevention and cross-connection control, providing an essential understanding of how to protect potable water supplies. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations, students will interpret basic schematics and begin applying layout and troubleshooting skills to real-world scenarios. Classroom ID: CEPLU-552 We frequently add new sections. Please contact our Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu for more information.
|
$759.00 |
| 2.10 | 21 |
Plumbing System Design and Ins In this capstone course, students will apply their knowledge and skills to design, plan, and install a complete residential bathroom plumbing system. Working from a custom layout, students will create a materials list, position and install a shower, bathtub, urinal, toilet, and sink, and connect all fixtures to a central drain-waste-vent (DWV) system. The course emphasizes system layout, fixture placement, code compliance, and water pressure testing. By completing a full installation from planning through final testing, students gain a deeper understanding of system integration, jobsite sequencing, and real-world plumbing workflow. Classroom ID: CEPLU-553 We frequently add new sections. Please contact our Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu for more information.
|
$859.00 |
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Estimated Cost
Tuition Assistance
$5,000.00
Not including fees and equipment |
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