Plumber

Plumbers install, repair and maintain plumbing fixtures and systems such as water, hydronic, drainage, waste and vent (DWV), low pressure steam, chemical and irrigation. They also install specialized systems such as medical gas, process piping, compressed air, water conditioners, fuel piping, sewage and water treatment, and storage and flow equipment. Plumbers interpret drawings, refer to layouts of existing services, and review applicable codes and specifications to determine work details and procedures. They locate and mark positions for fixtures, pipe connections and sleeves, and cut openings to accommodate pipe and fittings.

Regulations concerning the planning, installation, maintenance and inspection of sewage treatment systems may vary by jurisdiction. Additional certification may be required in some jurisdictions to allow plumbers to plan and perform work on these systems.

For information regarding BC regulations, please refer to Sewerage System Regulation 

OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS THE PLUMBER PROGRAM WILL BE CHANGING. WHERE ARE WE NOW?

APRIL 2021 - MARCH 2022

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Harmonized*

Harmonized*

Harmonized*

Current**

*Harmonized = Program stream with re-aligned content beginning in April 2019

**Current = Program stream for apprentices who've completed level 1 training before April 2019

If you are unclear as to what program you are registered in, or unclear as to which program you should be following, please contact ITA Customer Service. 

HARMONIZED PROGRAM INFORMATION - In effect starting April 1, 2019 as per Transition Plan
Program Profile Describes the requirements for apprentices and challengers to earn certification.  Download (191 PDF KB)
Program Outline Guidelines for delivery of technical training at ITA Recognized Training Providers Download (1,211 PDF KB)
Exam Weighting Charts The Exam Weighting Charts for the Harmonized level exams will be made available as the Harmonized level exams are launched.

Level 1 (130 PDF KB)

Please be aware that changes have been made to the Gasfitter - Class B program, please view OPSN 2018 002.1 for details. 


Plumber Guidebook


Record Book

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Program Updates:

Transitioning to the Harmonized Program

  • March 2021:  For information regarding Year 3 of transition, see the Transition Update
  • January 2020: For information regarding Year 2 of transition,  see the Transition Update
  • February 2019: For information regarding the Foundation and Level 1 implementation, please see the Program Update
  • December 2018: For information about work-based training hours credit between the piping trades, please see the Program Update
  • September 2018: For information about the Transition Plan, please see the Program Update.
  • March 2018: For details of changes to the program and revised implementation date, please refer to OPSN 2018 001.1

 

Standardized Level Exams

  • August 2021: Development and validation of Standardized Level Exam(s) (SLEs) for the Harmonized Level(s) of this program have been impacted by Covid-19. Implementation of affected SLEs will be announced by Official Program Standards Notification (OPSN). Please see the Program Update for details.
  • Harmonized Level 1: exam launched October 2019, see OPSN 2019 015 for details and Exam Weighting Chart
  • Current Level 2 and 3: See Exam Weighting Charts
  • October 1, 2019: Effective October 28, 2019, the Interprovincial Red Seal exam will be based on the 2016 RSOS. Candidates will no longer be provided the National Plumbing Code book when writing the exam, excerpts will be provided to answer the exam questions. See Program Update for details.
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Program Information

The documents below offer detailed information specific to this program.

  • Program Profile
  • Describes the requirements for apprentices and challengers to earn certification
  • Download(PDF 171.39 KB)
  • Program Outline
  • Guidelines for delivery of technical training at ITA Recognized Training Providers
  • Download(PDF 893 KB)
  • Interprovincial (IP) Exam Table
  • List of tasks that will be tested and number of questions on each task
  • Download(PDF 28.68 KB)

Challenge Certification/Recognize Prior Experience

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please refer to the application form on whether this trade qualifies.

  • Instructions
  • How to Apply
  • Download(PDF 171.16 KB)
  • Application Form
  • Personal information and exams scheduling information (for challenge option)
  • Download(PDF 178.62 KB)
  • Employer Declaration
  • Document of relevant work experience
  • Download(PDF 521.18 KB)
  • Statutory Declaration
  • Attestation for self-employment/work experience when employer cannot be contacted
  • Download(PDF 410.88 KB)