Academic Catalog

Plumbing Apprenticeship, Certificate of Proficiency (PLB)

The Plumbing Apprenticeship program is a four-year curriculum that provides essential skills needed in today’s plumbing occupations. The coursework covers a diverse range of skills and knowledge and helps develop maturity and independence of judgment. This apprenticeship training provides practical and theoretical aspects of the work required in this highly skilled occupation. This program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis only.

This program requires a special process for admission. Check with Admissions to submit additional materials and/or follow procedures for admission.


Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

  • Pass journey-level licensing examinations.
  • Demonstrate proper safety practices.
  • Lay out and install supply, drainage and heat piping systems.
  • Specify and install various fixtures.
  • Cite various requirements of the National Plumbing Code.
  • Identify by sight supply and drainage materials and fittings.
  • Read construction blueprints and specifications.

The College will award a certificate of proficiency to students who complete 30 credits of an approved career program. These credits will not normally include physical education, developmental, basic and/or continuing education courses and will usually consist of 24 credits in the career specialty and six credits in general education. At least 50 percent of the credits must be earned at Delaware County Community College. The student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. At least six credit hours must be in courses that are awarded grade points.

Required Courses
PLB 100Plumbing Theory I5
PLB 101Plumbing Theory II5
PLB 102Math for Plumbers5
PLB 103Installation & Repair5
PLB 104Bathroom Installation1
PLB 200Heating Systems2
PLB 202Blueprint Reading3
PLB 207Cross Connection Control3
PLB 208Philadelphia Plumbing Codes3
PLB 209International Plumbing Codes5
Total Hours37