The NIC Workforce Training Center offers a federally and state-approved Related Instruction (RI) program for Plumbing Apprentices. This program provides the 144 hours of instruction required annually by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), delivered over approximately 16 hours per month.
In person classes run from August through May, with 100% attendance required for all face-to-face classes. Online classes runs October through May and required attendance for orientation only.
This Related Instruction program in conjunction with 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training combine to meet Idaho Apprenticeship requirements for the Plumbing Industry. Upon successful completion, the Plumbing apprentice will be eligible to take the Idaho Plumbing Journeyman’s exam for licensure.
Program Requirements
To become a Plumbing Apprentice in Idaho, individuals must:
- Be at least 16 years old to register.
- Obtain an Apprentice Card by registering with the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) and/or the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
- Work under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman.
Apprenticeship Program Tuition and Financial Aid
- Program Cost: $1,950 per year.
- Includes: Instruction, course textbooks, and materials.
- Financial Assistance:
- Workforce Training Scholarship Application
- Qualifies for Idaho Launch funding.
- Veterans Benefits may be available – Learn more about VA Benefits.
- Advanced Opportunities (AO) funding for high school students
Tuition Payment Options
- Full payment required at registration OR
- Enrollment in a payment plan. Requires a $350 deposit (refundable if cancelled within the refund window) and $60 set up fee (non-refundable).
Phone: (208) 769-3333
Email: nicworkforcetraining@nic.edu
Next Steps
To obtain apprentice state license(s) for OJT contact:
Idaho Division of Occupational and & Professional Licenses
1090 East Watertower Street, Suite 150 Meridian, Idaho 83642
(800) 955-3044 http://dbs.idaho.gov
WA State Dept. of Labor and Industries
901 N Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99201
(800) 509-8847 http://www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing
Employment in the Trades
Most apprentices secure employment with a contractor before beginning their Related Instruction (RI); however, this is not required to enroll in Plumbing apprenticeship courses at NIC.
If you are seeking employment in the trades:
- Check the NIC Workforce Training job board.
- Contact local contractors.
- Search job listings on Craigslist, local newspapers, and the Department of Labor.
- Find contractor information for Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing through online searches.
For detailed wage and occupational data, visit We Build Idaho.
Class Location
NIC Parker Technical Education Center
7064 W. Lancaster Rd, Rathdrum, ID 83858
Questions
Phone: (208) 769-3333
Email: apprenticeship@nic.edu
Program Funding
The Trades Apprenticeship Program is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Closing the Skill Gap (CSG) Grant. $369,471 (10% of the program) is federally funded over a four-year period.