Plumbing Apprenticeship Area
About plumbing apprenticeship: Apprenticeship programs vary from place to place but they all have some common traits; such as, a mix of schooling and practical work experience lasting usually 4 years. Apprentices must be employed in the plumbing field under the supervision of a licensed plumber and may be required to return to school for further training on a yearly basis. Here is an example of a 4 year program from Okanagan college. Keep in mind that each program will be different.
About Plumbing Apprenticeship
Level 1
- Mathematics
- Science
- Safety
- Tools
- Pipes, Valves and Fittings
- Rigging
- Cutting, Soldering and Brazing
- Drafting and Blueprint Reading
Level 2
- Hot Water Heating Systems
- Piping Drawings and Specifications
- Rough-in and Finishing
- Drainage and Venting Systems
- Compressed Air and Medical Gas
- Leveling Instruments and Tools
Level 3
- Drainage and Venting Systems
- Potable Water Systems
- Rural Water Systems
- Piping Drawings and Specifications
- Gasfitting
Level 4
- Install and Light Gas Appliances
- Hot Water Heating Systems
- Gasfitting
- Electrical CCTS and Gas Controls
- Rural Sewage
- Drainage and Venting Systems
Plumbing Red Seal Exam
The plumbing red seal or inter-provincial exam is based on the National Occupational Analysis, which lays out the trade related knowledge and duties you are expected to know. Each of the blocks; A-G, are further divided into tasks and sub tasks. Click on the link below to see the tasks related to each category.
| Blocks | % of total exam |
| A - COMMON OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS | 12 |
| B - DRAINAGE, WASTE, VENTS AND PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS | 28 |
| C - WATER SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION, PLUMBING FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES | 22 |
| D - HYDRONIC HEATING/COOLING SYSTEMS | 13 |
| E - SPECIALIZED PIPING SYSTEMS | 10 |
| F - PUMPS | 6 |
| G - MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS | 9 |
Plumbing Exam Study Questions
Preparing to write the Inter-provincial plumbing exam? Test your knowledge on this Red Seal Practice Exam that I created. Many of the questions have been on recent Red Seal plumbing exams.
Click here for practice exams and questions
Plumbing Math - Formulas And Tables
Math unfortunately is part of being a plumber or any other skilled trade for that matter. Although we don't tend to use many of these formulas in our daily plumbing chores, you better know them if your planning to write your plumbing exam.
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