FAQs

Applications for the 2026–2027 school year will be open from November 3, 2025, through January 31, 2026, on our Application Page.  All applicants are required to complete a math assessment. A passing score is necessary for the Joint Apprenticeship Committee to process your application.

Plumbers and Steamfitters LU 486 Membership and the Mechanical Contractors’ Association of Maryland, Inc.

5 Years.

There is a non-refundable processing fee of $25.00 due at the time of application. The fee is payable by major credit card only.

If selected for training, you will receive an Apprentice Scholarship that covers the cost of your training. However, you will be responsible for purchasing your books, which cost approximately $250 for the first year and about $200 per year on average for the following four years.

Once you are placed on a job site with one of our participating contractors, you will also be required to pay union dues of $31.00 per month.

Classes begin each September and typically run through June, following the public school calendar. If selected, you will be required to attend a mandatory, week-long First Year Training Camp from June 22, 2026, through June 26, 2026.

Classes are held two evenings per week from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with occasional Saturday sessions from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (6 hours).

You will be employed by one of the participating contractors signatory to an agreement with Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 486, as jobs become available. LU 486’s work jurisdiction includes Baltimore City, the surrounding counties, the Hagerstown and Frederick areas, and the Sussex, Delaware area.

Work is typically 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, usually between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You will be responsible for having your own transportation to and from the job site.

At the Plumbers/Steamfitters’ Training Facility, 1201 66th Street, Baltimore Co. Rosedale, Maryland, 21237, Or at the Technical Institute,1301 West Washington Street Hagerstown, MD 21740. Or the Plumbers/Steamfitters Facility, 26705 Sussex Hwy. Seaford, Delaware, 19973

No prior experience is required, but if you have experience, it will be acknowledged.

Next year.  Applicants may take the math test only once per application year.

You will be dispatched by Local Union 486.

Plumber and Steamfitter Apprentices and Journeyman install piping in buildings, industry, schools, hospitals, etc. Additionally, they install and service heating and cooling systems and do their own control work. They also do their own welding. A Plumber/Steamfitter also installs and repairs pipe, fittings and fixtures of hot and cold water, vacuum, oxygen, gas and drainage systems. They also do layout of pipe and pipe connections and provide openings for pipes in walls and floors. They cut and thread pipe using pipe cutters, cutting torches, and pipe threading machines.

The deadlines for the September 2026/2027 school years are:

Baltimore, Maryland –   January 31, 2026   Seaford, Delaware & Hagerstown, Maryland – January 31, 2026

• You must turn 18 years old by 8/31/26.
• Apply online at www.getpiping.com, fill out an application by the deadline.   Must have a $25 processing fee, payable by Credit card only. Also, must provide an official photo I.D.
• Must have state-issued photo ID.
• You must achieve a passing score on the math assessment test when scheduled by the school’s office.

What will the requirements be after passing the Math assessment test?
AFTER you pass the Math assessment, you will be notified by e-mail to provide the following:

• Provide a copy of your state-issued high school diploma or GED certificate.
• Submit a copy of your certified Birth Certificate or passport.
• Permanent Resident Card or Naturalization Papers (if not a U.S. Citizen).
• DD214 if Military
• After you provide all the documentation listed above, you will appear in person for a “personal interview” by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee on the date that has been scheduled for you.

When you appear before the Joint Apprenticeship Committee for your interview, your application, our math assessment scores, and high school diploma or GED will be reviewed. Interview questions asked will be personal history, your goals, and what, why, when, and how you became interested in our apprenticeship program. The committee compiles an overall score for each applicant that qualifies for an interview. They are then placed on an eligibility list. After all qualified applicants have been interviewed, a selection is made by the Apprenticeship Committee from the eligibility list from the highest score, downward. Job opportunities dictate the number of applicants selected for training.

Current 1st Year pay is $22.93/hour.  Current pay + benefits rate for the apprenticeship program starts at over $34/hour. Starting salary and benefits of $70,720.

Benefits by Year

• 1st Year – Medical coverage for you and your family begins after you qualify. To qualify, you must work 250 hours in a work quarter, after which medical insurance will be provided for the following quarter. You will also begin receiving a pension benefit.
• 2nd Year – Apprentices with 2nd-year hours will receive a prescription plan, dental plan, vision plan, annuity, and pension, in addition to medical coverage.
• 2nd–5th Years – Continued medical coverage for you and your family, along with pension and annuity benefits.

LICENSES:

a. State of Maryland Plumbing License.
b. State of Maryland HVACR License.
c. Gasfitters’ License.

CERTIFICATIONS/QUALIFICATIONS:
a. Medical Gas Certification.
b. Backflow Certification.
c. CFC Qualification.
d. Welding Qualification.
e. Ten hour OSHA Certification including ” Right to Know Law.”
f. Confined Space Certification.
g. CPR Certification.
h. Standard First Aid Certification.