NITC Journey Level Plumber study plan

Map each of the eight exam domains to the code sections and installation standards it draws on, writing a one-line citation note per domain

State the scope, purpose, and structure of the plumbing code and identify which edition and local amendments apply in your jurisdiction

List the permit, inspection, and testing sequence for a typical residential rough-in and final, in order, from memory

Define the safety fundamentals: confined space entry, trenching and shoring basics, and PPE selection for common plumbing tasks

Build a personal glossary of 25 code-defined terms (e.g., fixture unit, trap seal, developed length) with your own definitions

Compare the approved joining methods for copper, PEX, CPVC, PVC, ABS, cast iron, and galvanized steel, and state where each is permitted and prohibited

Describe the correct procedure and common failure points for soldering copper and for solvent-cementing plastic pipe

Identify fitting types by function (wye, sanitary tee, combo, reducing coupling, dielectric union) and where each belongs in a system

Explain support spacing, hanger types, and protection requirements for each pipe material

Calculate cut lengths and fitting take-offs for a simple two-fixture branch run

Trace the path of waste from a fixture drain through the trap, branch, stack, and building drain to the sewer, naming each component

Size a horizontal branch and a stack from fixture-unit tables for a given fixture load

Explain venting categories (individual, common, wet, circuit, studor/air admittance where allowed) and the conditions each satisfies

Identify the causes of trap siphonage and backpressure and the venting corrections for each

Describe the slope, cleanout, and fitting-direction rules that govern horizontal drainage

Size a water service and distribution system from fixture units and developed length, accounting for pressure loss and elevation

Explain the difference between a direct and indirect waste, and where each is required

Describe backflow prevention devices and the hazard each addresses, and state where they are required

Lay out hot and cold distribution with correct fixture spacing and thermal-expansion provisions for plastic piping

Identify the water heater installation requirements: relief valve, discharge pipe, expansion control, and venting

State the installation requirements for water closets, lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and their traps and connections

Explain the differences among faucet types and valve cartridges, and the repair path for a dripping or leaking fixture

Describe the installation and venting requirements for clothes washers, dishwashers, and water heaters as appliances

Identify accessibility and clearance requirements for fixtures in residential and commercial settings

List the required fixture clearances and the minimum trap-arm and fixture-drain sizes for each common fixture

Convert between decimal inches, fractions, and metric, and compute pipe lengths, offsets, and 45/22.5-degree fitting take-offs

Read a floor plan and a plumbing plan and extract fixture locations, pipe sizes, and riser callouts

Draw an isometric from a plan view, correctly orienting horizontal and vertical runs

Compute grade, fall, and slope for a drainage run given length and required percent slope

Calculate fixture units, demand, and simple pressure loss for a worked example

Walk through a rough-in and final inspection checklist and state the test each system must pass and at what pressure

Diagnose five common service calls (no hot water, slow drain, running toilet, low pressure, sewer odor) and list the likely causes in order

Explain the procedure for hydrostatic and air testing of DWV and water systems, and the leak-isolation logic when a test fails

Describe maintenance tasks for water heaters, traps, valves, and sump pumps, and the interval for each

Identify the code violations most often cited on inspection and the correction for each

Take two full-length timed practice exams and record the score by domain

Rework every missed question to a written explanation of the correct answer and the code basis

Re-drill the two weakest domains with focused review and a short self-quiz each

Review the glossary, code map, and deliverable set from weeks 1 through 7 in a single pass

Confirm exam-day logistics: test format, allowed references, and time budget per question