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8 schools in North Carolina offer plumbing-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 2 registered apprenticeship sponsors in North Carolina train plumbing apprentices — see apprenticeships.
North Carolina requires a state Plumbing Contractor license (Class I) from the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors to contract plumbing work: 2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience — up to 2,000 hours creditable from related academic or technical training, including apprenticeship — plus the trade and business law exams. Employees may work under a licensed contractor's supervision without holding their own license.
Official source: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors · Exam: Board plumbing contractor examination plus North Carolina business law exam · Typical requirement: Plumbing Class I contractor exam: 2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience installing, maintaining, servicing, or repairing plumbing/heating systems; up to 2,000 hours may be satisfied by directly related academic or technical training (including apprenticeship classroom time). Restricted Technician licenses require 3,000 hours (Class I) or 2,500 hours (Class II). No license reciprocity with other states.
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby | public | $995 | 30.6% | $33,755 |
| Pamlico Community College | Grantsboro | public | $1,321 | 55.3% | $30,005 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville | public | $3,589 | 28.2% | $31,861 |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh | public | $8,759 | 31.8% | $41,769 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | public | $7,200 | 32.9% | $34,139 |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington | public | $9,610 | 39.7% | $38,654 |
| Halifax Community College | Weldon | public | $9,040 | 37.3% | $31,644 |
| Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown | public | $15,002 | 27.4% | $33,934 |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
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