Plumbing Schools in New York: Where to Get Your Plumbing Education

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Plumbing Schools in New York: Where to Get Your Plumbing Education

Field Service Management
September 27, 2024
9 Min Read

Heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration (Plumbing-R or Plumbing) have a lengthy history in the Empire State. According to American Weathermakers, the New York Stock Exchange building was one of the first in the world to deploy an air conditioning system in 1903.

Fortunately for Plumbing technicians across the country, particularly in New York, there is predicted to be an increase in demand for experienced workers over the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted a 5% increase in Plumbing job vacancies across the country between 2021 and 2031, as the expected growth rate for all jobs within that period (5%)

Continue reading to learn about the promising job prospects for New York Plumbing workers, wage prospects (both statewide and regionally), approved Plumbing programs, and credentialing in this industry.

We at ZenPlumbing have created a knowledge vault for plumbing contractors and technicians like yourself. Head to our website for more informative articles to enhance your business knowledge.

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Plumbing Licenses You Need to Pursue a Career in New York

The Plumbing business is no exception to New York’s reputation for high-paying occupations. Because of the scorching summers and cold winters, there is a high demand for trained Plumbing professionals.

Unlike other states, New York does not require state licenses per se apart from the usual Plumbing licenses necessary to practice in the Plumbing business.

Various New York Plumbing licenses are available to help you progress your profession.

EPA Permits

The federal government requires technicians with refrigerant-containing systems to have an EPA license. Technicians with the EPA Section 608 license earn an average annual salary of $73,423.

NATE Certificates

The NATE certificate is an optional Plumbing license in New York. The Plumbing experience of a technician is certified by the NATE organization. Basic household installs and repairs and commercial and industrial projects may be part of the employment. NATE technicians earn around $15,000 more than unlicensed technicians per year.

Local Permits

Licenses may be requested in some counties or cities. For example, in Buffalo, all technicians must have a Plumbing license, whereas in New York City, technicians must obtain a Home Improvement Contractor license. The hourly wage ranges from $15 to $41.

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Certification Available for Plumbing Education

There are three top national Plumbing certifications in the industry of Plumbing, and they are as follows:

Certification under EPA 608
NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Certification
Certification for Plumbing Excellence

The EPA 608 certification is the most important of the three. It teaches you how to work safely and responsibly with potentially dangerous and environmentally hazardous refrigerants in the Plumbing sector.

Without EPA 608 certification, you may violate state and federal regulations. You may also inadvertently engage in harmful behaviors, resulting in costly penalties and, in extreme cases, prison time!

There are three levels of EPA 608 certification, each with its own requirements and varying levels of complexity for dealing with the associated hazards.

Type I Certification: Installation and maintenance of small appliances such as window unit air conditioners, household refrigerators, and vending machines.
Type II Certification: Restoration, setup, and disposal of high-pressure refrigerant appliances such as home air conditioners, commercial cooling systems, and heat pump units.
Type III Certification: Repair, installation, and disposal of low-pressure refrigerants, which are frequently employed in more complex industrial refrigeration systems.

Obtaining accreditation from a nationally recognized organization enables you to deal with more difficult or complex situations that may emerge. It can also position you for higher-paying jobs and more excellent client relationships.

How to Select the Ideal School for Your Education?

Choosing the right program could be the difference between your success and failure in the Plumbing profession. Here are four tips on selecting a Plumbing service technician training school and starting a Plumbing career.

Seek a Plumbing program that covers every aspect of the industry:
Consider the curriculum when looking for Plumbing technician schools. Employers hesitate to hire someone with no formal Plumbing installation or sales training. They are looking for people who are knowledgeable and skilled. A good program should include the following topics:

Electricity fundamentals
Heating and cooling systems
Refrigeration
Water heaters and combination systems
Troubleshooting and service for ventilation systems
Hand and power tools
Mechanical and electrical controllers
OSHA and other safety protocols
Examine the Plumbing technician training, tasks, and responsibilities course schedule.

Choose a Plumbing Technician Training Program with a Previous Record of Success:
Inquire about the reputation of the program. Examine your contacts to determine whether anyone has heard of the institution, done a Plumbing diploma course, or worked for a graduate.
You could also check for a nearby Plumbing school or program. Examine the website and social media pages of a Plumbing school thoroughly. Look over any available reviews. Keep an eye on how they manage challenging situations.
Remember not to buy software purely based on its pricing. There are better solutions than a cheap Plumbing training course.

Experienced Instructors in the Field
Plumbing technician schools operating for a while should have certified teachers knowledgeable about the industry. Lecturers who can teach complex Plumbing theories and ideas in layman’s terms are required.
Plumbing professors with real-world expertise can also help you learn more. They will know everything about the sector and teach you more than just the basics.
Plumbing teachers usually spend a significant amount of time working in the field. This helps you understand what to expect from various employers. They are frequently aware of the characteristics that prospective companies seek in new employees. They could help you succeed in your first job and make an impression.

Always Consider the Flexibility of the Program:
A typical Plumbing training program lasts between six and twelve months. You may, however, have a job or a busy schedule. This may restrict the time you have available to complete a Plumbing program.
Consider enrolling in a hybrid Plumbing technician training program in this situation. Hybrid programs combine online and on-campus learning, allowing you to work around your schedule while still receiving hands-on instruction, which is crucial in any Plumbing curriculum.

How to Enrol in Plumbing Schools in New York

To work in the Plumbing industry in New York, you must first learn and obtain job experience. New York has similar Plumbing license requirements to meet employer expectations at the local level. Typically, you’ll need classroom training and hands-on work experience.

You should have either a high school diploma or a GED
You must be at least 18 years old.
Select a training program. You can acquire the content and prepare for your certification examinations by attending a trade school, technical college, or community college.
Employers can sponsor you to become an entry-level worker, or you can become an apprentice through a union or trade organization.

Additional certificates will raise your earnings and increase your marketability. The education and experience requirements for licensing vary by municipality. Most apprenticeships will require four to five years of schooling and work experience.

An associate degree takes roughly two years to complete. After two years of either schooling or working under a qualified professional, you should be adequately prepared for the EPA Section 608 Certification examination.

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Plumbing Schools in New York with Plumbing Training

Many trade schools and community colleges in New York provide post-secondary programs that prepare students for fulfilling professions in Plumbing.

Training can last from some months to two years or more, depending on the certificate you seek.

Apex Technical School:
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has accredited the Apex Technical School.
Students learn how to repair and maintain household and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Electrical controllers, key home appliances, and gas heating systems are all covered in the courses.
Trainees spend 450 hours in classes and 450 hours on-the-job training.
Graduates understand how to troubleshoot and analyze the functioning of refrigerators, air conditioning, and appliance equipment. Students are also prepared to take the EPA Type 608 certification exam, which is required for professionals who service, restore, or troubleshoot refrigerant equipment.
Turner School:
For almost 75 years, Turner School has provided continuing education courses in the fields of Industrial and Commercial Building Operations and Management.
Turner School is a member of the US Green Building Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers, and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
The school offers a Refrigeration Machine Operator License that covers topics such as – The foundations of Refrigeration, Metering Devices, the New York Refrigeration Cycle, Mathematics, Water Pumps, Refrigerants, and many other Plumbing-related topics.
The courses last about nine months, including six months of written classroom assignments and seven weeks of experimental lab practice.
The Refrigeration Institute:
Students enrolled in this Plumbing program will get the real-world training required to work in the field. The first 14 weeks of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning curriculum address the fundamentals of refrigeration and electricity, while the remainder of the course covers charging, recovery, and troubleshooting.
Students usually take the Refrigerating System Operating Engineer courses to prepare for the Q-01 exam. This exam requires persons wishing to become licensed electricians in New York to operate commercial equipment weighing 100 tons or more, such as those found in hotels, hospitals, commercial buildings, universities, movie theatres, colleges, and other significant structures.
Sunset Technology Center:
Sunset Technology Center offers training programs in New York and New Jersey for students who want to start careers in HVAC, electricity, plumbing, and solar panels.

Some of the courses offered by this institute are:
1. Photovoltaic Solar Panel- a program for those interested in pursuing a profession in sustainable energy.
2. Residential Refrigeration and Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning – a five-month curriculum for students interested in working in the Plumbing industry.
3. Automotive Air Conditioning- this program comprises the Section 609 License expertise.
4. Heating and Plumbing – the program includes classes on installing and repairing various types of bathroom and kitchen faucets, water heater installation and repair, and many other topics.
Career School NYU:
Career School NY offers Electrical Assistant and Plumbing programs.
Students in this program receive specialized training, can develop at their speed, and have the opportunity to engage in an externship after finishing a couple of months of training in which they apply the skills taught in the classroom in a real-world setting.
The program includes 720 hours of instruction in subjects such as:
1. Fundamental Electricity Concepts
2. Electric Conductors and Wiring Methods
3. Plumbing Troubleshooting and many other topics
The Carbonne Academy:
The Carbone Academy provides training programs to prepare students for license tests and jobs in various professions. Engineering courses here are available both online and in person.

Some Courses Offered by This Academy are:
1. Chiller Operation and Cooling Towers is an entirely virtual course with a one-year National Association of Power Engineers membership.
2. Refrigeration Machine Operators- a 200-hour program that trains students for the New York City Fire Department’s written and practical exams.
3. Refrigeration Practical Exam Preparation Course C and F Preparation Course – a curriculum that prepares students for the FDNY Certificate of Fitness tests.
4. Basic Boiler Plant Operation – this entirely virtual course introduces students to the ideas required to start a career in stationary engineering.

Many obtain on-the-job training through apprenticeships, which last three to five years and include 2,000 hours of on-the-job training; others enroll in a diploma, certificate, or degree program. Using the above list, you can make an informed decision about which one to go for.

New York Plumbing Trained Technician Salary

A person’s salary might vary substantially based on their residence and other factors. Education, certificates, additional skills, and years of experience are all examples of such factors. Entry-level employment is often more lucrative once you have a good work history and knowledge in the field.

Plumbing specialists in New York earn an average of $57,000 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $89,000. New York, Jersey City, White Plains, and Newark have the highest pay rates, with average annual earnings of $61,000. In New York, Plumbing professionals are not required to be licensed to work.

Conclusion

Plumbing professionals labor tirelessly all the entire year to make us comfortable. They install our systems, maintain them regularly, and repair them as needed. They give us a fantastic service by keeping tabs on our climate equipment, whether they work independently or for a larger organization.

Plumbing vocations are not only among the fastest expanding in New York, but the state also employs the fourth most workers in this industry in comparison to other US states.

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