Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Of Iowa

Governor Culver meets with students attending the Cedar Rapids Apprenticeship Class

In 2007, the Iowa Legislature enacted "The Iowa Plumber and Mechanical Professional Licensing Act,” a law that created statewide licensing for contractors performing work in the plumbing, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), hydronics and refrigeration areas. Commencing on January 1st, 2010 all new  technicians working in any of these four areas will need to complete a four-year Department of Labor (DOL) approved apprenticeship program and pass a state exam in order to obtain their state license.

PHCC operates a 4-year registered apprenticeship program for both Plumbing and Heating/ Cooling technicians. Our apprenticeship program is recognized and certified by the United States Department of Labor/Bureau of Apprenticeship Training and by license and code authorities that utilize the DOL/BAT standards.

Students participating in a Department of Labor apprenticeship program must meet two key requirements during each of the four years: (1) 144 classroom hours and (2) 2,000 on-the-job earning hours. Participants in the PHCC Program will attend face-to-face classes at either our laboratory in Cedar Rapids or on the Vatterott Campus in Des Moines. The Cedar Rapids class will meet for one full work-week in January and a second full week in May. The Des Moines class will meet once a month, starting in October, for six Friday-Saturday sessions. Both classes will be supplemented with online training and testing to meet the 144 classroom hour requirement. The student’s employer will be responsible for helping the student meet the 2,000 hour on-the-job requirement.

The registration deadline is November 6th for both programs. Classes starts in January 2010 for both programs.

If you have questions or wish to register, please contact Valerie Preston, PHCC Apprenticeship Director at 319-373-2145 or the PHCC-IA staff at 515-282-8192.