Building a career in the plumbing trade in Minnesota offers diverse pathways tailored to different professional goals, with program durations ranging from nine-month fast-track diplomas to comprehensive two-year technical degrees. Depending on the educational route you select—whether it is a full-time academic program or a specialized licensing preparation course—tuition costs typically range from $100 to $500 for focused certifications and exam prep, while foundational diploma programs can range between $4,000 and $15,000 to help students qualify for the state’s rigorous apprenticeship standards.
Individuals who pursue plumbing training — whether through trade schools or union apprenticeships — are positioned to enter a field with high demand, competitive wages, and clear advancement opportunities.
Online Classes
Online plumbing instruction focuses on practical job skills for entry-level work. Students learn how plumbing systems function, how tools work, and how to interpret drawings and code basics. Tool kits or lab assignments add hands-on elements for real-world experience. The format removes classroom barriers and allows learning at a steady pace.
Local Trade Schools & Programs
- Brooklyn Park, Prairie
- Blaine
- Oakdale
- West Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone, Worthington, Luverne
- Glyndon
- Bemidji
- Cloud
Hennepin Technical College (Rating: 4.1 out 5)
Hennepin Technical College offers a comprehensive Plumbing program starting each Fall Semester, with flexible scheduling including daytime classes at the Brooklyn Park campus and evening options in Eden Prairie. Students undergo rigorous training in plumbing codes, safety procedures, and blueprint reading, earning technical Awards and Certifications that qualify them to begin careers as apprentices or pipefitters with local contractors. The curriculum is designed to facilitate a direct path toward high-earning roles such as commercial plumber, estimator, or master plumber within the Minnesota construction industry.
Metro Testing (Rating: 5 out 5)
Metro Testing operates under the instruction of Gary Ford, a Master Plumber licensed since 1978, offering continuing education certificates for licensed plumbers rather than traditional degrees or diplomas. The school accommodates working professionals by providing evening classes exclusively through in-person instruction, with no online or hybrid options available. Course offerings include New Backflow Tester (ASSE 5110), New Backflow Rebuilder (ASSE 5130), and 3-Year Recertification programs that focus on classroom instruction without externships or hands-on clinical experiences. Tuition costs vary by program, generally ranging from $130 to $795 depending on the specific class and certification level, though the school does not provide a net price calculator. Metro Testing does not publish acceptance rates or specific enrollment requirements, requiring prospective students to contact the institution directly for admission criteria, current pricing, and scheduling details.
Midway Vo Tech (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
Midway Vo-Tech’s Plumbing program provides a foundational technical pathway where students master the essential skills of soldering, brazing, and blueprint reading alongside system layout and design. This training serves as a direct pipeline into professional apprenticeships, qualifying graduates for immediate entry-level roles as apprentice plumbers, pipefitters, or sprinkler fitters. By focusing on both residential and industrial applications, the curriculum ensures students are prepared for the rigorous field hours and certification requirements necessary for long-term career advancement.
Minnesota West Community & Technical College (Rating: 3.8 out 5)
Minnesota West Community & Technical College offers two distinct pathways in Plumbing Technology at the Pipestone campus, both of which can be completed in a one-year (two-semester) timeframe for full-time students. The 9-credit Certificate provides a fast-track into foundational skills like pipe threading and fixture installation, while the more comprehensive 32-credit Diploma dives deeper into water supply systems, blueprint reading, and rigorous interpretation of the Minnesota Plumbing Code. Graduates of these programs are professionally prepared to enter the workforce as apprentices, with their academic training often counting as credit toward the required hours for future Journeyman or Master Plumber licensure.
My Plumbing Training (Rating: 5 out 5)
My Plumbing Training, founded by Scott Thompson in 2013 in Glyndon, Minnesota, provides continuing education courses for licensed plumbers through both online and in-person instruction. The school offers flexible scheduling options with course segments ranging from 2 to 8 hours, allowing working professionals to balance education with job demands while classes typically run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with lunch included. Tuition costs are affordable and vary by delivery method, with online courses ranging from $60-$80, on-site training from $60-$160 for different session lengths, and a specialized Journeyman/Master Prep Class priced at $350. The earned hours count toward multiple professional licenses including plumbing, water conditioning, building official, residential contractor, and manufactured home installer certifications. My Plumbing Training maintains open enrollment for all qualified applicants and holds certifications from the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC) and Minnesota state approval for continuing education.
Northwest Technical College (Rating: 3.8 out 5)
Northwest Technical College offers a 37-credit Residential Plumbing Technology Diploma that can be completed in one year through on-campus, hands-on instruction. Graduates are eligible to apply their earned course credits directly toward state apprenticeship hour requirements, allowing for an advanced entry into the workforce and a faster path to a journeyman license. The curriculum integrates theory and practical lab work, covering critical areas such as Minnesota Plumbing Code interpretation, piping system fabrication, and hydronic design and controls.
St. Cloud Technical and Community College (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) offers a structured pathway into the plumbing trade through a 37-credit Diploma that can be completed in approximately one year or a more comprehensive 60-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Plumbing and Shop Management, typically spanning two years. Both programs prepare students to enter the field as registered apprentices by providing intensive training in the Minnesota State Plumbing Code, blueprint reading, and hydronic heating. Graduates gain a significant advantage in their career progression, as the program qualifies them for applicable hours on their apprenticeship card, moving them closer to the 8,000 hours of field experience required to sit for the official Minnesota Journeyworker plumber exam.
Choosing a plumbing career in Minnesota requires a strategic balance of academic study and long-term field experience. Whether you prefer a nine-month fast-track diploma or a comprehensive one-year technical degree, the state offers diverse pathways to suit your goals. Depending on the institution and depth of the program, tuition costs can range from $3,000 for foundational certificates to $15,000 for advanced diplomas, with many programs offering credits that count directly toward your eventual journeyman license requirements.
How to Choose the Best Plumbing Program for You in Minnesota
Minnesota is unique in that the state requires a significant number of field hours—7,000 hours over four years—to become a licensed journeyworker. Because of this, the “best” program for you is often the one that helps you secure an apprenticeship most quickly.
Full-Time Technical and Community College Paths
For those who want to enter the trade with a strong technical foundation, community and technical colleges provide the most structured environment. Programs like the one at Hennepin Technical College offer both daytime and evening classes, focusing heavily on blueprint reading and plumbing code.
Similarly, Minnesota West Community & Technical College and Northland Community & Technical College offer accelerated nine-to-twelve-month diplomas. These pathways are ideal if you want to gain “Pre-Apprenticeship” status, as schools like Northwest Technical College allow your course credits to count directly toward state apprenticeship hours, shortening your time in the field.
Specialized Vocational and Pipefitting Pipelines
If you are focused on immediate entry into the workforce, vocational centers like Midway Vo-Tech specialize in creating direct pipelines into professional apprenticeships. These programs emphasize hands-on skills such as brazing and soldering for both residential and industrial applications.
This is often the preferred route for students who want to become not just plumbers, but also pipefitters or sprinkler fitters. By focusing on the specific “fabrication” aspect of the trade, these programs prepare you for the high-intensity environment of large-scale construction sites.
Continuing Education and Career Advancement
Once you are licensed, the learning doesn’t stop. Minnesota requires master and journeyworker plumbers to complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years. Specialized training centers like Metro Testing focus exclusively on this niche, offering certifications for backflow prevention and tester recertification.
For those preparing for the final step of their career, My Plumbing Training offers highly-rated Journeyman and Master Prep classes to ensure you pass the state-mandated exams on the first try.
The Advantage of Online and Hybrid Learning
For working professionals or those in remote areas, online plumbing instruction has become a vital tool. Platforms such as My Plumbing Training offer state-approved digital courses that allow you to earn required continuing education hours from home. Even entry-level students can find online foundational courses that use digital simulations and tool kits to teach plumbing theory, math, and code basics at a steady pace.
While you will still need to complete your 7,000 hands-on hours in person, online programs are an excellent way to handle the “book” portion of your training with maximum flexibility.
How to Become a Plumber in Minnesota
To become a plumber in Minnesota, you must adhere to the standards set by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). This path focuses on a heavy “on-the-job” training requirement to ensure public safety and code compliance.
Step 1: Register as an Unlicensed Individual
Before performing any work, you must register with the DLI as an “Unlicensed Individual” (the state’s term for an apprentice). This registration allows you to begin accruing the 7,000 hours of practical experience required for licensure. While you can start this immediately with an employer, many students first complete a pre-apprenticeship program at Hennepin Technical College or Northwest Technical College to gain foundational skills.
Online training via My Plumbing Training is also an excellent flexible option for mastering the Minnesota Plumbing Code and preparing for initial site work.
Step 2: Complete Your Practical Experience
You must complete four years of documented work experience (at least 1,750 hours per year) under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Plumber. This must include specific hour milestones, such as 2,000 hours in water distribution and 2,000 hours in drain, waste, and vent system installation.
Diplomas from institutions like Minnesota West Community & Technical College are highly beneficial during this stage, as they provide the technical theory that complements your daily field fabrication and layout tasks.
Step 3: Pass the Journeyworker Examination
Once your 7,000 hours are verified by the state, you are eligible to sit for the Journeyworker Plumber exam. This comprehensive test evaluates your knowledge of state-specific codes, safety protocols, and blueprint reading.
To ensure success on this challenging exam, many candidates enroll in specialized prep courses like those offered at Midway Vo-Tech or the intensive My Plumbing Training exam modules. After passing, you can work independently and eventually pursue a Master Plumber license after an additional year of experience.
Why Become a Plumber in Minnesota?
Plumbing work in Minnesota, along with other construction trades such as electrical and HVAC, is seeing increased demand both from aging infrastructure and from new construction growth. The Star Tribune notes that training programs have expanded, and employers are adopting apprenticeship pathways to build a larger pipeline of qualified workers. In the article, Dean Gale, business manager for Plumbers Local No. 34, said, “It’s a good time to get in because it’s growing,” pointing to rising demand and opportunities for trainees who are willing to commit to the long apprenticeship cycle. Journeyman plumbers in Minnesota can earn between $53 and $54 an hour, with apprentices earning increasing pay each year as they develop skills.
For workers considering plumbing as a career in Minnesota, the current shortage paints a promising career outlook. With many experienced plumbers soon retiring and not enough new workers to fill those roles, pay and job security are likely to remain strong.
Read the article here: https://www.startribune.com/more-students-enrolling-in-trade-schools-helping-fill-shortage-of-skilled-jobs/601485155