The Apprenticeship
Credentialed to grow.
Every NRAP apprenticeship is structured to USDOL Registered Apprenticeship standards: classroom instruction, paid on-the-job training, mentorship, and wage progression, ending in a Certificate of Completion recognized by your state and the U.S. Department of Labor.
How long does it take?
Year 1
NCCER Core + Level I
2,000 OJT + 144 classroom hours
Year 2
Level II → Journey Worker
2,000 OJT + 144 classroom hours
The five elements
NRAP follows the same federal framework used in skilled trades for over 80 years. Every program has these five parts.
1. Employer sponsorship
A roofing contractor agrees to host, mentor, and pay the apprentice. The sponsor signs a Standards of Apprenticeship with the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship (OA states) or the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA states).
2. Structured on-the-job training
2,000 OJT hours per year working full-time with your employer (4,000 total over 2 years). Tasks tracked against NCCER competencies as OJT hours accrue. Apprentices learn shingle systems, low-slope assemblies, safety, metal flashing, and more, all under supervision.
3. Related classroom instruction
144 hours of classroom per year. NCCER Core (entry), then Level I and Level II. ABC chapters serve as the primary delivery source; however, instruction may be held at any certified training facility by a NCCER-certified trainer.
4. Wage progression
Apprentices advance in pay as they complete program levels. Wage steps are set by the sponsoring employer and recorded in the Standards of Apprenticeship.
5. Nationally recognized credential
On completion: Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship issued through the U.S. Department of Labor or a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency. Through NCCER-based roofing training, apprentices can also earn portable, industry-recognized credentials that document the skills and training they have completed. College credit may also be available through participating education partners and articulation agreements, depending on the program and institution.
Mentorship throughout
Every apprentice is paired with a journeyman mentor from day one. The mentor is the human glue: they make sure the OJT tasks line up with the classroom, that questions get answered, and that the apprentice actually graduates.
Ready to start?
Find an NRAP program in your state, or talk to a sponsor about hiring you on.