The Plumbing Technician program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. Coursework covers water supply, drainage, waste and vent systems, fuel gas piping, fixtures and water heating, materials and installation, blueprint reading, and the California Plumbing Code.
Plumbing Technician tuition and payment periods →
This program will prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. Individuals may install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems, including sprinkler equipment.
The curriculum covers the core knowledge and practical skills employers look for in entry-level candidates.
Plumbing work is the layout, assembly, installation, and maintenance of the piping, fixtures, and systems that carry water, steam, natural gas, and other liquids and gases through homes and businesses. The trade spans source determination, water distribution, waste removal, and pressure adjustment, and it draws on blueprint reading, pipe installation, pumps, welding and soldering, plumbing inspection, safety, and the codes and standards that govern each installation.
This program centers on residential and light commercial systems: potable water supply, drainage, waste and vent systems, fuel gas piping, fixtures and water heating, and specialty systems such as medical gas, renewable energy, and stormwater. In California the governing code is the California Plumbing Code, and it runs through the program's courses on materials and joining methods, specialty systems, layout and blueprint reading, and service and repair.
Contractors who perform plumbing work for compensation in California are regulated by the California Contractors State License Board. Students weighing a related trade can compare the HVAC Technician program and the Electrical Training Program. Information on federal aid, Veterans benefits, and other funding options is available through InterCoast's financial aid resources. InterCoast does not guarantee employment, licensure, or any specific outcome.
A certificate from this program is not a license to work independently as a plumbing contractor.
State and local requirements for plumbing work vary. This program provides entry-level trade preparation; a contractor's license requires additional work experience and state testing. Students who intend to work outside California should check that state's requirements (catalog p. 13). InterCoast does not guarantee employment, licensure, or any specific outcome.
InterCoast Colleges has been accredited by ACCET (the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training) since 1988 and is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Graduates of this program may pursue entry-level positions with titles such as:
This program prepares graduates for the following occupation: Helpers - Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-2152.00
No specific employment outcome is guaranteed. Labor market conditions vary.
A high school diploma or GED is required for enrollment. Speak with an admissions advisor to review eligibility.
This program is eligible for Title IV federal financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify — not all students will qualify for all types of aid. Contact the financial aid office for a complete picture of your options.
On-ground training at 2 California campuses:
The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) requires a School Performance Fact Sheet for this program, with completion, placement, licensure-exam and salary data. Review it before you enroll.
All School Performance Fact Sheets and required disclosures →
The program is 32 weeks and carries 40 academic credits, delivered in a hybrid format that combines online coursework with hands-on lab work at the campus.
Not fully. Coursework is online, and trades students are required to attend lab each week. Students who miss two or more lab sessions in a course (15 or more lab hours) do not meet the course completion requirements and will receive a failing grade for that course. The program also requires OSHA-10 training, which includes mandatory attendance at scheduled live video conferencing sessions.
The program is offered at InterCoast's Riverside and Rancho Cordova campuses in California. Contact an admissions advisor to confirm start dates at a specific location.
A high school diploma or GED is required for enrollment. An admissions advisor can review eligibility and next steps.
Yes. This program is Title IV eligible. Eligible students may qualify for federal financial aid. Contact an admissions advisor for details.
No. The program awards a certificate, which is not a license to work independently as a plumbing contractor. Contractor licensing in California is separate and requires additional work experience and state testing. Students who are considering working as a plumbing technician in a state other than California should become familiar with the licensing requirements of the state or municipality where they intend to work.
The Plumbing Technician program follows the Track A start-date calendar. The next published start dates are November 9, 2026, December 7, 2026, and January 4, 2027. An admissions advisor can confirm the schedule at each campus.
The catalog lists the program-specific equipment and supplies as: pipe, basin, torque, and adjustable wrenches, hacksaw, various pliers, screwdrivers, hex key sets, hammers, drills, sinks, gauges, valves, shower pans, bathtubs, drains, flow measuring devices, soldering and brazing equipment, gauges, thermometers, leak detectors, pipe cutters, drain cleaning snakes and augers. A computer lab with computers and printer is available to all programs.