Compete for a chance to win an expense-paid trip to AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in Washington, D.C. Finalists will also win an AFSA44 registration for their employer or guest, a set of hand tools, and cash prizes!
Apprentices already testing in Canvas will find the Phase I exam available in their Canvas courses on May 12, 2025.
If not yet testing in Canvas, apprentices can request Phase I exam access by completing this online form.
PHASE I TESTING BEGINS MAY 12, 2025
Take the Phase I Exam
for a chance to
Win $100 GIFT CARD
for you and $100 for Your Training Coordinator!
2025 Contest Details
The competition consists of two phases.
May 12 – June 30, 2025 – Phase I National Competition
Phase I consists of a 100-question multiple-choice exam that is taken online and virtually proctored. Once competition enrollment is confirmed, AFSA will provide exam instructions. This exam must be taken between May 12 – June 30, 2025.
October 15 – 18, 2025 – Phase II National Competition
Held during AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in Washington, D.C., Phase II of the competition will consist of a written exam, as well as the requirement to cut, thread, and install a steel and CPVC piping system with sprinkler heads and perform a pressure test. Participants will be graded on accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety.
Seven finalists, apprentices representing member companies from across the country, will compete in Phase II to become the winner of this national competition. These contestants take a practical test in the Exhibit Hall during the AFSA Exhibition each year as they cut, thread, and install a steel & CPVC piping system with sprinkler heads and perform a pressure test. You will have the opportunity to see this competition from beginning to end. The seven finalists receive:
- An expense-paid trip to compete at AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in Washington DC.
- Accommodations at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Free full convention registration for each finalist and a guest determined by their employer
- Cash award ($2,500, $5,000, $7,500, or even $10,000)
- A brand new set of hand tools
Competition Guidelines
Apprentice’s employer must be a member of AFSA in good standing.
Apprentice must be actively participating in the AFSA/NCCER Sprinkler Fitting apprenticeship training series as of June 27, 2025.
The apprentice must have at least one year of field experience with a MINIMUM of 6 months combined HANDS ON experience in cutting, threading, and installing steel pipe AND installing CPVC pipe.
Prior to October 15, 2025, the apprentice cannot have worked in the sprinkler trade hanging pipe for more than six years.
If an apprentice has won first, second, or third place in AFSA’s National Apprenticeship Competition, he/she is not eligible to compete.
An employer can enter as many employees as are eligible from his/her company.
If an apprentice resigns employment from the original sponsoring company after Phase I of the competition, he/she is not eligible to compete in Phase II.
The apprentices scoring in the top 7 of Phase I will qualify to compete in Washington, D.C., at the National Competition’s Phase II during AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition provided no more than two (2) apprentices compete from the same membership region. In this case, the top two (2) scoring apprentices from a region will compete.
If more than one apprentice from the same control group scores in the top 7 of Phase I, then a maximum of two apprentices from that control group will be qualified to compete in Phase II, provided the apprentices are in different regions. In this case, the two qualifying apprentices will be identified by having the top scores in their region.
Privacy Policy:
AFSA will use an online proctoring service to proctor the Apprentice Competition Phase I exam.
AFSA’s National Apprentice Competition (NAC) was started in 1994 by the late Robert (Bob) L. McCullough, then chair of the Apprenticeship and Education Committee. The NAC was created to promote apprentice training and recognize apprentices who are actively enrolled in AFSA’s apprenticeship training Sprinkler Fitting series.
Congratulations to the 2024 NAC Finalists pictured below at AFSA43 in Denver, CO.
