APPLICATION PROCESS
The Washington D.C. Joint Plumbing Apprentice Committee accepts applications year-round and is now accepting applications for the 2026/2027 school year. Applications are accepted online only and can be accessed by following the link below. While the application process is open year-round; the entrance exam process is conducted on specific dates, and a limited number of apprentices are accepted each year prior to the beginning of the school calendar year in September.
We will be holding our first entrance exam testing for the 2026/2027 school year in February 2026. The application and document deadline for testing #1 is Friday, January 23, 2026. Our next and final entrance exam testing is tentatively scheduled for June 2026. The application and document deadline for testing #2 is Friday, May 15, 2026. Any applications and documents received after May 15, 2026, will be considered for the 2027/2028 school year.
REQUIREMENTS
The following documents are required to complete your application. All must be uploaded online in your application, with the exception of your official transcripts which can be mailed or brought in-person to the Plumbers Local 5 Training Facility located at 5000 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706. Official electronic transcripts are also accepted but must be submitted directly to our office from the transcript service or educational institution to applications@plumbersualocal5training.com. Please note that these documents can take several weeks to obtain if copies are needed.
Upon verification of your documentation, you will be sent an email confirming your eligibility to participate in the entrance exam process. After receiving this email, you will be notified of the available test dates by mail/email. If you fail to complete your document requirements, your application will be considered incomplete, and you will proceed no further in our application process. Applications are maintained for a two-calendar year period.
ENTRY EXAM PROCESS:
All eligible applicants are REQUIRED to complete the 3-step entrance exam process. Eligible applicants will be notified of the entrance exam process dates via email and mail when they are established. Please note that there is no study guide available for the entry exam process however, frequently asked questions for each step can be found by clicking here.
Step 1: Proctored Journey Assessment (Computer-Based)
Effective 2/2024: On the established date, eligible applicants will receive an invitation to schedule a proctored journey assessment in-person at the Training Facility. The assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete. Click here for more information on how to prep for the assessment and other frequently asked questions.
The assessment is a brief, validated assessment that will help the Committee select applicants for open spots in the Apprenticeship Program using an objective, fair, and consistent process. The assessment will also help you learn about the Apprenticeship Program and determine if the program is the right career step for you.
Step 2: Proctored Math Exam (Computer-Based)
Immediately following the journey assessment, the applicant will then complete a proctored math exam, consisting of basic math skills (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, rules measurement, converting feet to inches). The exam takes about 30 minutes to complete. Please note that calculators are not permitted during the exam and the exam is not timed.
The math Assessment is a brief, validated assessment that will help the Committee select applicants for open spots in the Apprenticeship Program using an objective, fair and consistent process. The assessment was designed to include an assessment of basic math skills that are required to be successful in the Apprenticeship Program- both in the classroom and on job sites.
Step 3: Panel Interview
Upon completion of the journey assessment and math exam, qualifying applicants will then be contacted via email to schedule a panel interview in-person at the Training Facility. The interviews are about 30 minutes in length and consist of structured interview questions by a panel of interviewers who are involved in the Apprenticeship Program.
The interview involves a brief set of questions asked by a panel of interviewers who are involved in the Apprenticeship Program. The questions will be about your past experiences in other jobs or at school that are related to areas important for success in the Apprenticeship Program. All candidates will be asked the same questions that are evaluated by the interview panelists using the same standards.
Upon completing the entrance exam process, you will be placed in a pool of eligible applicants based on the scores you receive. The Apprenticeship Committee will select eligible applicants from the top of the pool to be admitted to the upcoming Apprenticeship school year. If accepted, you will be notified via email and mail of your acceptance and next steps. If you are not selected, all scores are maintained in the applicant pool for a two-calendar year period. Please keep your address, email, and phone number updated with our office.
Please be advised by submitting an application, you consent to a drug test in the event you are selected for admission to the Apprenticeship Program. If accepted, Apprentices are placed at employment for on-the-job training within the boundaries of the Local 5 Union’s jurisdiction and are scheduled to attend classes one day a week at the Training Facility. The school year begins in September and ends in July each year for five years.
The Committee selects students of any race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Apprentice Committee is actively recruiting applicants including minorities and females.
LOOKING TO GET STARTED IN THE TRADE?
Contact the Local 5 Union Hall for more information about employment and becoming a member of Local 5.
