All worksheets / Plumbing
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Plumbing
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Plumbing is all about safe water delivery and waste disposal in modern buildings. You will learn to read riser diagrams, work with copper, galvanized, and PVC pipe, and handle plumber's tools safely. Requirement 6 requires hands-on shop tasks: soldering a copper joint, assembling plastic pipe, clearing a drain trap, and replacing a faucet washer.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Plumbing Safety & Local Building Codes
- Pipe Materials: Copper, PEX & PVC Joining
- Drainage Systems, Traps & Venting
- Faucet, Valve & Toilet Repairs
5Printable Pages
7Requirements
2025Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Plumbing Requirements
Every requirement for the Plumbing merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1How Plumbing Protects Health
Do the following:
- a Describe how a properly working plumbing system protects your family's health and safety.
- b List five important local health regulations related to plumbing and tell how they protect health and safety.
- c Describe the safety precautions you must take when making home plumbing repairs.
2Water Supply and Drainage Diagrams
Do the following:
- a Make a drawing and explain how a home hot- and cold-water supply system works. Tell how you would make it safe from freezing.
- b Make a drawing and explain the drainage system of the plumbing in a house. Show and explain the use of drains and vents.
3Five Plumber's Tools
Show how to use five important plumber's tools.
4Plumbing Terms
Identify and explain the following terms: washer, retaining nut, plunger (rubber force cup), solder, flux, elbow, tee, nipple, coupling, plug, union, trap, drainpipe, and water meter.
5Kinds of Pipe and Their Uses
Name the kinds of pipe that are used most often in a plumbing system. Explain why these pipes are used.
6Hands-On Plumbing Tasks
Do FOUR of the following, each under the supervision of a knowledgeable adult:
- a Visit the plumbing section of a hardware store or home center and identify:
- b Cut, clean (debur), PVC or CPVC pipe; solvent weld at least three connections to include a coupling, tee, and elbow.
- c Cut PEX pipe; make at least one connection using either a quick-connect fitting or a crimp fitting (using specialized tools).
- d Solder a copper connection using a gas torch.
- e Replace a kitchen or lavatory faucet.
- f Remove, clean or replace, and reinstall a sink or lavatory drain trap.
- g Properly apply pipe thread tape to a pipe or a plumbing connector.
7Careers
Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in plumbing. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Plumbing requirements in 2025. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/plumbing/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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