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How to become a plumber

Plumbers install, maintain and repair water, heating and drainage systems in homes and other buildings.

You could work for a plumbing or heating firm, a building services company, a housing provider or, in time, for yourself.

There is no licence to be a plumber, but working on gas appliances such as boilers needs Gas Safe registration by law.

  • Apprenticeship routes
  • Earn while learning
  • Gas work needs Gas Safe registration

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Plumbing and domestic heating technician apprenticeship (Level 3)

    For those who want the full plumbing and heating route, including gas appliances, with a wage and training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own requirements
    • The National Careers Service says advanced apprenticeships usually ask for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English and maths
    • A CSCS card, or equivalent, is usually needed to work on construction sites

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a plumbing and domestic heating technician apprenticeship
    2. Work alongside qualified plumbers and train off the job
    3. Learn water, heating and gas systems, including gas-fired appliances
    4. Pass the end-point assessment
    5. Join the Gas Safe Register before doing gas work unsupervised
    Estimated duration
    About 48 months (4 years)
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists this Level 3 standard at a typical 48 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £22,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Low carbon heating technician apprenticeship (Level 3)

    For those who want to install and maintain heat pumps and other low-carbon heating, with a wage and training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own requirements
    • The National Careers Service says advanced apprenticeships usually ask for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English and maths
    • Apprenticeships are open to all ages

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a low carbon heating technician apprenticeship
    2. Work and train with an installer of heat pumps and similar systems
    3. Pass the end-point assessment
    4. Work as a heating technician; you could add gas work later through Gas Safe registration
    Estimated duration
    About 36 months (3 years)
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Low carbon heating technician (Level 3) at a typical 36 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £22,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CWork + study

    College course, then a trainee job or plumber's mate role

    For those who want to learn the basics at college first, then train on the job.

    Starting requirements

    • Entry requirements vary by course; the National Careers Service suggests 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent
    • A T Level also needs English and maths
    • After college you still need workplace experience to qualify

    Pathway outline

    1. Take a plumbing college course or the T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
    2. Apply for a trainee, assistant or plumber's mate job — or an apprenticeship
    3. Train on the job and complete a recognised Level 3 qualification
    4. Join the Gas Safe Register if you want to work on gas appliances
    Estimated duration
    2 years at college, then on-the-job training
    How we estimate this

    A T Level is a 2-year course. You then need on-the-job training to qualify, and no official typical length is published for the trainee route.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Not enough dataPlus: Set by each college; you may not pay tuition if you are under 24 and on your first GCSE- or A level-standard qualificationPaid up front by you: Not enough dataPublished fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after college, once you start a trainee or assistant job.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Do I need to be Gas Safe registered to be a plumber?

Not for plumbing on its own. You must be Gas Safe registered, and qualified for that type of work, before you work on gas appliances such as boilers.

Can I start as a plumber's mate?

Yes. The National Careers Service says you could start as a plumber's assistant or mate and train on the job to qualify. You will usually need some GCSEs, including English and maths, and good practical skills.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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