Plumbing Technician
Train to Be a Plumber in Santa Ana and Become Indispensable
Orange County-Area Plumbing Technician Training
Fix Your Future with Training in Plumbing
When tragedy strikes in your home bathroom and with your business’s water pipes, the plumbing technician that swoops in to correct the issues is a straight-up superhero. It’s a profession that is in consistent demand all over the United States, including in Santa Ana, California. Plumbers work in residential, commercial, and/or industrial properties to install, maintain, and repair water and piping systems; handling fixtures and appliances; repairing broken equipment, and more.
What Does a Plumbing Technician Do?
As a plumbing technician, your daily tasks will likely vary from day to day and customer to customer. It may include things like:
- Installing plumbing fixtures, like bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, as well as appliances like dishwashers and water heaters
- Installing and repairing water, gas, and other piping systems in residential and commercial settings
- Cleaning drains, clearing out obstacles, replacing broken pipes and equipment, and maintaining septic systems
- Inspecting and testing installed pipe systems and troubleshooting malfunctioning areas
- Determining the materials and equipment needed for a job and preparing cost estimates for clients
More Information About the Plumbing Trade
What Will I Learn in a Plumbing Technician Program?
The Santa Ana Plumbing Technician program takes only 32 weeks and teaches you the fundamentals of plumbing, mathematics in plumbing, devices, values, fittings, fixtures, water supplies, safety, design, and installation. The hands-on training covers all the nuts and bolts (and pipes and valves) you need to qualify for entry-level plumbing positions.
What will course instruction look like?
Our Plumbing Technician program centers around the hands-on, practical experience in our modern labs because we recognize that you can’t truly be ready for a career as a plumber without training in real-life skills and equipment. We pair that with foundational theory and knowledge in our on-campus classes led by licensed instructors.
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?
At Summit College Santa Ana, the curriculum for our Plumbing Technician program includes the following courses:
- Plumbing Fundamentals
- Plumbing Theory
- Fittings & Fixtures
- Drainage, Waste & Vents
- Water Service & Distribution
- Valves, Pumps & Plumbing Code
- Layout & Installation
- Servicing Plumbing Systems
Are Plumbers in California In-Demand?
Demand in California is about twice as high as it is nationwide. According to the numbers out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, at a rate of around 4%, with around 44,000 annual openings.
In California, however, employment for trained plumbing technicians is projected to grow at 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?
In Santa Ana, in Orange County, plumbers have a number of different places they can look for employment, including:
- 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 Santa Ana 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
Santa Ana Campus
Our Santa Ana campus, located in the heart of Orange County, is built to encompass labs with modern equipment and instruments, numerous classrooms, computer access, and a student lounge. Parking is provided to students at no charge.
Address and Location
Address
1639 E. Edinger Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Located near Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim; just off I-55 and the 55 Freeway, with access to multiple public transportation options, including MetroLink
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 Santa Ana?
Not only will you get the hands-on training and skills you need to become a professional electrician, you’ll also be able to start working and earning fast. Summit College has been providing quality career education since 1991, and we currently offer flexible day or evening class schedules in a hybrid delivery format. Free tutoring and one-on-one assistance from our Career Services Department is available to help you land the job of your dreams.
- 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). To enroll in programs like these, you generally need to:
- Be 18 years or older
- Provide an acceptable high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Complete an interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Meet the required level of proficiency with speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English
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?
Per California state law, a license is not required to work as a journeyman or even a master plumber 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?
The length of a plumber training program depends on the school and the curriculum; a community college program could take up to a year or longer. The Plumbing Technician program at Summit College Santa Ana, however, was structured so that you can complete it in just 32 weeks and graduate ready to apply for entry-level plumber jobs.
How Much Does Plumbing Technician School Cost?
At Summit College Santa Ana, we respect that our students want the most out of their time and their budget, and we’ve designed our short-term programs around that, with the aim of getting you from first class to graduation in under a year. We also have a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education.
