Plumbing Technician
Become Indispensable with a Career as a Plumber in San Bernardino
Inland Empire Plumbing Technician Training
Fix Your Future with Training in Plumbing
Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or industrial properties, plumbers are superheroes, there to save the day when something goes wrong by installing, maintaining, and repairing water and piping systems, including installing fixtures and appliances, repairing broken equipment, and more. It’s a profession that is in consistent demand all over the United States.
What Does a Plumbing Technician Do?
As a plumbing technician, your daily tasks will include things like:
- Installing and repairing water, gas, and other piping systems in residential and commercial settings
- Determining the materials and equipment needed for a job and preparing cost estimates for clients
- Inspecting and testing installed pipe systems and troubleshooting malfunctioning areas
- Installing plumbing fixtures, like bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, as well as appliances like dishwashers and water heaters
- Cleaning drains, clearing out obstacles, replacing broken pipes and equipment, and maintaining septic systems
More Information About the Plumbing Trade
What Will I Learn in a Plumbing Technician Program?
Our 32-week Plumbing Technician program gets you started off right in your new career by teaching you the fundamentals of plumbing, mathematics in plumbing, devices, values, fittings, fixtures, water supplies, safety, design, and installation. We’ve got you covered with hands-on training in all the nuts and bolts (and pipes and valves) you need to qualify for entry-level positions.
What will course instruction look like?
We understand the importance of hands-on, practical experience when it comes to training to become a plumber, which is why our Plumbing Technician program prioritizes plenty of time in our modern labs. We build on that with on-campus classes led by licensed instructors who walk you through the foundational theory and knowledge you’ll need on the job.
Is Career Training Right for You?
Take the Summit College Career Training Readiness Quiz
The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
What plumbing technician classes will I take?
The curriculum for the Plumbing Technician program at Summit College San Bernardino is designed to be comprehensive, with courses that include:
- Plumbing Fundamentals
- Plumbing Theory
- Fittings & Fixtures
- Drainage, Waste & Vents
- Water Service & Distribution
- Valves, Pumps & Plumbing Code
- Layout & Installation
- Servicing Plumbing Systems
What Is the Job Outlook for Plumbers in California?
Plumbing technician jobs in California are growing even faster than the national average. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters will grow at a rate of around 4% through 2034, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Projections Central estimates employment to increase by that double that amount, a rate of 8% through 2032. With approximately 4,500 job openings expected each year, employers will be looking to hire.
Where can plumbers work?
Pretty much everywhere you go in the Inland Empire area, trained plumbers will be able to search for potential employment at places like:
- Plumbing contractors
- HVAC contractors
- Construction companies
- Heavy and civil engineering companies
- Government facilities
- Manufacturing facilities
Plumbers can also be self-employed and work directly with customers to hire out their skills and services.
What jobs can I get in San Bernardino with Plumbing Technician training?
Here are some of the potential job titles and opportunities:
- Commercial Plumber
- Residential Plumber
- Water Supply Plumber
- Service and Repair Plumber
- Sanitary Plumber
- Industrial Plumber
- Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Plumber
San Bernardino Campus
With modern classrooms equipped with audiovisual technology, labs outfitted with updated equipment and instruments, computer labs, and a student lounge, the San Bernardino campus of Summit College is set up to provide a quality education in both our allied health and skilled trades programs. Parking is provided to students at no charge.
Address and Location
Address
804 East Brier Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Located near I-10 and a short walk from the Tippecanoe Metrolink Station, conveniently situated near Colton, Loma Linda, Riverside, and more
Phone Number and Hours
General Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number: 888.504.2552
Why Should You Choose Summit College San Bernardino?
If you’re looking for a secure career that is all about helping others, a future as an vocational nurse has all of that and more. Summit College can help you get the education and training you need to get it done! That’s what we’ve been doing since 1991 — helping students just like you follow their dreams of an exciting, fulfilling career as a vocational nurse. With hands-on training from caring instructors who have lived and breathed the life of a vocational nurse in the real world, we’ve got your back all the way across the finish line and beyond.
- Professional faculty focused on your success: Your instructors have all done the job you’re training for and use their experience to prepare you for real-world situations. You’ll develop clinical skills through hands-on learning and benefit from small class sizes.
- Curriculum that provides a broad foundation: In addition to clinical and skills fundamentals, you’ll learn about various specialties, including obstetrics, pharmacology, pediatrics, nutrition and psychology and patient education for a solid foundation.
- Flexible schedules: Choose from day or evening/weekend classes that adapt to your lifestyle and responsibilities. Complete the program in just 12 months (full-time) or 18 months (part-time).
Ready for What’s Next?
Your Path to Success Starts Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Become a Plumber in California?
Much like other careers in the skilled trades, you can approach becoming a plumber in a couple different ways. On the one hand, you can go for an on-the-job apprenticeship, although it is generally an unstructured program and could take several years to complete.
Enrolling in an approved program at a plumbing trade school like Summit College El Cajon takes less time from first class to graduation. California requires anyone applying to take the licensing exam to be a Plumbing Contractor to demonstrate four years of journeyman-level experience in the field. (That experience can be entirely hands-on or up to three years in an approved college or vocational training program, but at least one year must be in the field).
After you’ve successfully graduated from a Plumbing Technician program, you’re eligible to apply for entry-level positions as a plumber with a licensed employer.
What Kinds of Certifications or Licenses Do I Need to Be a Plumber?
According to California law, a license is not required to work as a journeyman or even a master plumber, but only as long as you are employed by a contractor that has a valid C-36 license.
Per the Contractors State License Board:
A plumbing contractor provides a means for a supply of safe water, ample in volume and of suitable temperature for the purpose intended and the proper disposal of fluid waste from the premises in all structures and fixed works.
If you are self-employed or not working under a licensed contractor and you are taking on any projects valued over $500, then you will need to hold a C-36 license. In order to qualify for that, you need to:
- Have a minimum four years of journeyman-level experience
- Submit an application and pay a $25 fee
Pass the two-part licensing exam
How Long Does It Take to Become a Plumber?
At Summit College San Bernardino, our Plumbing Technician program takes only 32 weeks from start to finish, designed to get your ready for entry-level plumbing positions in just 8 short months. That isn’t the case with all programs, however. Comparatively, a program at a community college or similar institution may take a year or longer.
How Much Does Plumbing Technician School Cost?
It really depends. At Summit College San Bernardino, we’ve designed our short-term programs to make the most out of their time and their budget, with a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education. Program tuition is affected by a lot of different factors, like the type of institution you’re attending, the length of the program, their cost per credit hour, any auxiliary fees, etc.
