Member Training
Please contact the Training Facility (301) 552-3505 or email Maria Vasquez at [email protected] to register for classes.
All training courses will take place at the Local 5 Training Facility located at 5000 Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706. All classes begin at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
All class materials and exam fees are payable via cash, credit card, or money order (made payable to Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Fund). Payments are accepted Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 5000 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706. Credit card payments can be processed via phone (301-552-3505) or in-person. Please submit payment before the first night of class.
Most classes are for Local 5 Union Members only. Class sizes are limited to a 16-person maximum unless otherwise noted. A waitlist will be established for each class. You will be notified via phone and email when space is available.
Updates Effective September 2022:
-Helpers may only take Helper Class, OSHA 10/30 and classes held on Saturdays.
-All Journeyman & DJ Classes will require a $100 refundable deposit, due within 48 hours of reserving your space in class. The deposit will be accepted by cash only and must be submitted in-person at the Training Facility. Requiring refundable deposits for JM/DJ class assists the Local 5 Training Facility to efficiently allocate resources and ensures that members obtain access to necessary classes. Upon completion of the class, the $100 cash deposit will be refunded to the member.
Update Effective January 2023:
-The Training Facility will no longer support TREEO based Backflow full certification or re-certification. All Backflow certifications and re-certifications will use the ASSE model, testing, and fees. Please note: As each Journeyman moves from a TREEO certification to an ASSE (re)certification, an initial, full ASSE certification fee of $120 – $140 will be required. Subsequent ASSE re-certification ASSE fees are lower, in a range of $75-$95. Journeymen/DJs will be required to submit the fee within the first few weeks of the course.
2024 Available Courses:
*You must contact the Training Facility to register.*
Advanced Plan Reading – Union Members only
Date: To Be Determined (Fall 2024)
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructor: Michael McKenzie
Class Materials: Adv. Plan Reading book ($80)
*This class is considered approved continuing education for those classified as Divisional Journeymen.
In this course, students will develop and enhance their teaching skills in drawing interpretation. The course’s focus will be on understanding the basics of plan and elevation drawings, as well as developing grading criteria and exceeding the time length for each assignment. Students will explore the UA’s Interactive Curriculum App as it is designed to take pages of the textbooks and overlay Augmented Reality (AR) above a live view world utilizing the camera on your phone or tablet.
Backflow Full Certification – ASSE (Available to non-members with course fee)
Date: Mondays, starting Monday, March 4, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Classroom # 118
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructor: Daniel Somoza
Class Materials: Backflow Manual ($117) – Effective 8/2023
Required Exam Fee: $140
*Members can only miss one night of class.
Completers of Backflow Full Certification class will become ASSE 5110 certified backflow testers of ASSE 1013, 1015, 1020, and 1056 devices.
Backflow Re-Certification- ASSE (Available to non-members with course fee)
Dates: To Be Determined
Course Length: 5 weeks
Instructor: To Be Determined
Class Materials: Backflow Manual ($117) – Effective 8/2023
Required Exam Fee: $85
As each Journeyman moves from a TREEO certification to an ASSE (re)certification, an initial, full ASSE certification fee of $120 – $140 will be required. Subsequent ASSE re-certification ASSE fees are lower, in a range of $75-$95. Journeymen/DJs will be required to submit the fee within the first few weeks of the course. *Please note: Per ASSE, individuals must recertify within six (6) months of expiration. Certifications expired beyond six (6) months do not qualify for recertification and the individual must therefore complete the full certification course and exam.
Braze Certification/Re-Qualification
Date: To Be Determined
Required Fee:
Braze BTS 15 (Required with Medical Gas Installer Certification): $75
Braze BTS 15 Re-Qualification (Vertical up-flow): $50
Payment must be submitted at the time of confirming class. Payment is accepted by credit card, cash or money order made payable to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Fund.
CAD/BIM/VDC Level 1 – Union Members only
Date: To Be Determined (Fall 2024)
Course Length: 22 Weeks
Instructor: Christina Fullwood/Steven Hedrick
The CAD/BIM/VDC (Building Information Modeling/Virtual Design and Construction) program is nearly 300 hours over three years. Students start with the basics of Autodesk design programs, PDF management software, modeling pipe and equipment, and work towards advanced understanding of all software and hardware tied to project design and coordination. *Apprentices who opt to specialize in BIM/VDC complete the same classroom coursework as all apprentice plumbers but attend an extra evening for the elective during the second, third, fourth, and fifth years of the program.
BIM/VDC capable coordinators and designers are always in demand by our contractors. Apprentices and journeyworkers who choose this elective obtain a deep understanding of how our systems and ALL trades fit and function together within a given project.
CAD/BIM/VDC Level 2 – Union Members only
Date: To Be Determined (Fall 2024)
Course Length: 22 Weeks
Instructor: John Russell
Members must first successfully complete CAD/BIM/VDC level one to qualify for level two.
CAD/BIM/VDC Level 3 – Union Members only
Date: To Be Determined (Fall 2024)
Course Length: 22 Weeks
Instructor: John Russell
Members must first successfully complete CAD/BIM/VDC level two to qualify for level three.
Code Review (Plumbing Code) – Union Members only
Date: Tuesdays starting Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Classroom #128
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructor: Derek Morrill
Books available for purchase: International Plumbing Code (IPC 2021) $79.00, International Gas Code (IGC 2021) $79.00, WSSC Code (2021) $55.00
This class is comprehensive review of ICC International Plumbing Code book in order to prepare for code testing in multiple jurisdictions.
Estimation Training – Union Members only
Date: Tuesdays, starting Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 4:00 pm – 7:15 pm., Classroom #132
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructor: Michael McKenzie
Class Materials required for the 1st night of class:
- Calculator
- Architectural scale rule
- Highlighters
- Red pen
- Pencil
- Paper
*This class is considered approved continuing education for those classified as Divisional Journeymen .
This class will introduce students to the skills and tools necessary to prepare cost estimates for HVAC & Plumbing projects. The course will touch on different types of estimates along with various methods and techniques used to put together a proposal. The course will focus on the understanding of construction documents, material takeoff, labor, subcontractors, vendors, and other costs that factor in on the completion of an estimate. Students will learn through multiple lectures and have the opportunity to employ their knowledge, hands on, in the process of putting together a competitive bid.
Foreman Training – Union Members only
Date: Mondays, starting Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00 pm – 7:15 pm., Classroom #129
Course Length: 13 nights
Instructor: Chris Reed
Class Materials: Foreman Manual ($50)
*Permission to register must come from contractor management (Superintendent/Labor Manager level or higher).
Forman Training class is a joint creation by the United Association and the Mechanical Contractors Association, covering all the basic knowledge and positive habits needed to be a successful and productive jobsite or crew supervisor.
*This class is considered approved continuing education for those classified as Divisional Journeymen.
Green Technologies – Union Members only
Date: Tuesdays, starting Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 4:00 pm – 7:15 pm., Classroom #129
Course Length: 11 nights
Instructor: Alan Nash
Class Materials: ARSCA Manual ($35)
Optional Exam Fee: $180
Our industry is always changing and the push for ecological plumbing improvements in technology is going to continue not just as a trend, but as a critical part of infrastructure and water conservation measures. Potable water is becoming more scarce and more expensive. Conserving and using rainwater through Rainwater Harvesting Systems and using the maximally efficient water heating and storage methods are critical to keeping our environment and ourselves healthy and sustainable. This Green Technologies class which will grow and adapt with the technology and local market.
Helper Class – Union Members only
Date: Thursdays, starting Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Classroom # 129
*Thursday schedule will resume on Thursday, December 7, 2023
Instructor: Charles Taylor
Course Length: 9 nights
Class Materials: Use and Care of Tools ($35)
This class is focused on giving Helpers the basic but critical knowledge of tool use, safety, and mathematics which will make the students more productive and valuable to both crew and contractor.
***Missing a single class will disqualify a student from completing this class.
NITC Medical Gas Installer/Brazer Full Certification – Union Members only
Date(s): Wednesdays, starting Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 4:00pm-7:15pm, Classroom 110
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructor: Scott Caudill
Required Class Materials: NFPA 99 book (2021) ($110) + Applicable exam fee below
Required Exam Fees:
Medical Gas Installer/Brazer full cert. exam with Braze certification: $150 exam fee
Payment must be submitted at time of confirming class. Payment is accepted by credit card, cash or money order made payable to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Fund.
Medical Gas Installer full cert. exam without Brazing: $130 exam fee
*Some individuals may not desire to complete the exam with brazing, based on needs.
To Qualify:
Minimum of four (4) years of documented practical experience in the field of installation of plumbing or mechanical systems. For more information visit NITC’s website: Click Here
NITC Medical Gas Installer Re-Certification – Union Members only
Date(s): Mondays, starting Monday, May 6, 2024, 4:00 pm – 7:15 pm, Classroom # 110
Course Length: 3 weeks + Exam on Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Instructor: Scott Caudill
Required Book: NFPA 99 book (2021) ($110)
Required Exam Fee: NITC Medical Gas Installer Re-Certification Exam fee $60
Payment must be submitted at the time of confirming class. Payment is accepted by credit card, cash or money order made payable to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Fund.
*Please confirm the status of your current NITC Medical Gas Installer Certificate before confirming your space in the class. NITC Medical Gas Installer certificates are valid for 3 years, with a 1-year grace period after date of expiration (cert. is not valid during grace period). Individuals should plan to renew before the date of expiration. **If for some reason the member does not attend the initial recert. exam session scheduled; members are allowed to schedule a 2nd exam session without a fee. After a second absence (3rd scheduled date), members are required to pay the $60 exam fee.
OSHA 30 Construction Certification – Union Members only
Date: Mondays, starting Monday, November 27, 2023, 4:00 pm – 7:15 pm, Classroom # 132
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructors: Scott Caudill
Class Materials: None
*This class is considered approved continuing education for those classified as Divisional Journeymen.
**OSHA 30 Certificate does not expire but should be renewed every five years.
***Missing a single class will disqualify a student from receiving their certification.
The OSHA 30 Construction Certification covers standards, procedures, and policies relevant to our industry. Topics include scope and application of the OSHA Construction Standards, construction safety and health practices, and emphases on areas in construction which are most hazardous or fatal
Service Class – Union Members only
Date: Thursdays starting Thursday, November 30, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Classroom # 112
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructors: Eric Smith
Class Materials: Service Manual ($90)
*This class is considered approved continuing education for those classified as Divisional Journeymen.
*Members can only miss one night of class.
The Service Class is focused on our trade’s most used tools, equipment, and troubleshooting guides. Students will gain intensive knowledge on safety, drainage and venting systems, water distribution, fuel gas systems, fixtures, equipment, appliances, traps, and interceptors, all relating to service and maintenance.
Virginia Continuing Education – Available to Members and Non-Members
The class will consist of two nights:
(3) three hour session during night #1, (1) one-hour session during night #2. General class details include:
Dates: Night #1 Wednesday, February 21, 2024 & Night #2 Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Course Length: 2-night class (night #1 – 3 hours, night #2 – 1 hour).
Instructor: Tom Buckley
*Class offered to non-members at no cost.
**The student must attend all available hours (3 on the first night and 1 on the second) to receive full credit.
**Effective Jan. 1, 2023, this class satisfies the plumbing and gas requirement for the State of Virginia.
Welding Class – Union Members only
Date: Mondays & Tuesdays on-going, 4:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Course Length: 11 weeks
Instructor(s): Paul Cruz /Christopher Davison
Suggested Class Materials: Auto-Darkening welding hood, welding jacket, welding gloves.
Required: Long pants, Leather boots (or boots with boot covers), safety glasses, welding hat.
Plumbers know, but much of the public is unaware, that welding is a critical component of plumbing and gasfitting. Larger domestic water lines are run in stainless steel when the price of copper becomes cost prohibitive. While smaller commercial fuel gas piping is run in threaded steel pipe, larger sizes require welded steel pipe. The UA Local 5 JATC offers multiple welding certifications for joining pipe and is always increasing the offered certifications.
More Information?
Please contact the Training Facility (301) 552-3505 or email Maria Vasquez at [email protected].
