United States · Licensing examWhat's on a plumbing aptitude test?
Whatever the program decides, so ask the program you're applying to. Math is the common thread in the official material: Local 13's test is a math exam, and math is one of the core courses UA apprentices take, next to safety, plan reading and design, science, and tools.
Example: the Local 13 plumbing math test
- Who: the Plumbing and Heating Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council, Local Union 13, Rochester, New York
- Openings in the March 3, 2026 posting: 15 plumber apprentices, with applications open until March 3, 2027
- Eligibility: age 18, a high school or equivalency diploma, a driver's license, and a year living in the local's area
- The test: a math exam taken in person on the first Tuesday of the month after you apply online, with 70% or higher to pass
- Fee: $20, waived with proof of financial need
How to prepare
- Ask the program what its test covers and whether it publishes sample questions.
- Brush up on arithmetic, fractions and measurements: math is what Local 13 tests and one of the subjects UA teaches.
- Learn the basic ideas of the trade. Our practice questions cover drainage, venting and pipe sizing in plain words.
Sources: United Association · New York State Department of Labor. Checked October 2026.
- United Association: Apprentice career path ↗
- New York State Department of Labor: Plumbing and Heating JATC, Local Union 13 (Rochester) posting, March 3, 2026 ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.