Frequently Asked Questions

Before calling our office, please review the information below. Most applicant questions can be answered here. Taking a few minutes to read through these FAQs will save you time and help ensure your application process goes smoothly.

Important: All applicants must provide proof of age and education (high school diploma or GED with scores + transcript). See below for details on special cases. 

1) When are applications available?
Applications are available all year long, online only. We do not have a cutoff date to submit applications. 

2) Is there a cost to apply?
No — there is no application fee.

3) Is there a test I need to take?
No — the Pipe Fitters do not require a test to submit an application or enter the apprenticeship program.

4) What if I can’t find my birth certificate?
You don't need your birth certificate. You can use a state-issued ID or passport. If you want your birth certificate, contact the county or state where you were born to request a replacement.

5) Do I need my driver's license and my birth certificate?
No, you only need one document to prove your identity and age. 

6) How do I get my high school transcripts?
Request your transcript directly from your high school. Do not have it emailed or mailed to the Training Center. You must upload it within your online application. Your transcript must include your graduation date. Be sure to upload all pages of your transcript.

7) I lost my high school diploma. What should I do?
Submit your transcripts instead or request a letter from your high school (on official school letterhead) confirming:

• Your legal name
• Graduation date
• Signature of a school official

8) My high school no longer exists (fire, closure, etc.). How do I prove graduation?
Contact the State Department of Education where your school was located. Request a letter on official letterhead confirming your graduation and explaining why records are unavailable.

9)  I only have a wallet-sized copy of my diploma. Is that okay?
Yes — as long as it’s legible.

10) I haven’t graduated yet. Can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you are at least 18 years old, provide:

• A letter from your high school on official letterhead with your expected graduation date.
• A seven-semester transcript. First semester of your senior year must be complete and shown on the transcript.
• By June 1 after graduation, you must provide us with your diploma or final transcript showing your graduation date.

11) Can I use my college diploma or transcript instead of my high school diploma or transcript?
Yes, a college diploma or transcript is acceptable.

12) I did not graduate but have my GED. What do I need?

• Upload your GED certificate or
• GED scores 

13) I earned my HiSET. Do I still need to submit anything else?

• Upload your HiSet certificate or
• HiSet scores 

Note: The HiSET is a high school equivalency credential—it is not the same as a traditional high school diploma, even if your testing center issued a document labeled “diploma.”

14) I was home schooled. What do I need?

Provide, at a minimum:

• Proof of graduation or
• A transcript that lists all courses completed and grades received

15) How do I get hired?
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Letter of Eligibility and gain access to the Contractor Hiring List. Send your Letter of Eligibility, your resume, and any other relevant materials to contractors on the list. You’ll contact contractors the same way you would for any other job opportunity. If a contractor is interested, they’ll reach out to you. When you’re hired, you’ll officially enter the Apprenticeship Program—working for that contractor during the day and attending classes two nights per week for five years.

16) When do the contractors hire? Is there a cutoff?
Contractors hire year-round. However, if you’re hired after the annual mid-July hiring cutoff, you’ll still work for your contractor but won’t begin classes until the following August.

17) I sent my information to the contractors and I haven’t heard from any of them. Why not?
Our program typically has around 800 applications on file at any given time, and many applicants contact the same contractors. The Local 533 Apprenticeship Program is competitive, and contractors may not respond to every applicant.

18) Can I start taking classes now while waiting to be hired?
No. You must first be hired by a contractor. Once you’re hired, you’ll be part of the Apprenticeship Program. You’ll start work for that contractor and begin classes when the new school year starts.

19) Do I need experience to be hired?
No. Some contractors hire individuals with no prior experience, while others may prefer applicants with some background in the trade. It depends on each contractor’s needs and upcoming projects.