Student information publication · published October 2026
The Maintenance Academy: school catalog
The Maintenance Academy, operated by Maintenance 215 LLC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Online (distance education) career training in the skilled trades, with hands-on skills signed off by an instructor in a shop or on a job site.
Not yet licensed. The Maintenance Academy is applying for a license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools and does not enroll students or collect tuition until it is approved.
Admission requirements and how to enroll
- Be at least 16 years old. Students under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the enrollment agreement too.
- Read English at about an 8th-grade level. Lessons are written in plain language, with captioned videos.
- Work, or plan to work, in a state where the Academy is approved to enroll learners (Pennsylvania so far).
- A phone, tablet or computer with internet access (see Equipment below).
To enroll: create a free account, choose a plan on the Pricing page and pay the invoice, then sign the enrollment agreement for your program online. Your access starts when the school accepts the agreement.
Equipment, online availability and costs beyond tuition
- You need your own device and internet service. There are no other required books, supplies, software or fees; the study guide and reading list are included. Your phone or internet provider's charges are yours.
- Hands-on skills are practiced and signed off with your own or your employer's tools and personal protective equipment, or the shop's, as your instructor arranges.
- The Academy is online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, apart from short maintenance. Live classes are scheduled on the Live classes page. Written answers are usually graded within 3 business days.
- Lessons, videos and materials are protected by copyright. Copying or sharing them, or misusing the system, can infringe copyright or other rights.
Programs
Each program is self-paced online instruction (lessons, videos, section tests, written answers graded by an instructor and a final exam) plus hands-on skills an instructor signs off. Hours are clock hours (50 minutes of instruction).
Construction Core: Pre-Apprenticeship Foundations
General construction · about 82 clock hours (54 online, 29 hands-on) · 13 weeks
Objective: Start here. Safety, construction math, tools, blueprints, rigging awareness, materials handling, communication, employability and first aid: what every apprenticeship expects on day one.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Build Your Future in Construction Careers and pathways, how construction projects work, and the people who built America. | 5.8 |
| Basic Safety OSHA and your rights, the Focus Four hazards, PPE and health hazards, and tool and materials safety. | 11.6 |
| Construction Math Fractions and the tape measure, decimals and conversions, area, volume and estimating. | 6.4 |
| Hand and Power Tools Introduction to hand tools and power tools, and choosing and caring for them. | 5.0 |
| Construction Drawings Types of drawings and title blocks; scale, lines, symbols and dimensions. | 5.0 |
| Rigging Awareness and Materials Handling Rigging basics, slings and hand signals, and safe materials handling and storage. | 5.0 |
| Communication and Employability Skills Communication on the jobsite, respect at work, getting hired, and keeping the job and managing money. | 8.4 |
| First Aid, CPR and Emergency Response Emergency response on the jobsite. | 4.0 |
| Hands-on skills (12), signed off by an instructor | 29 |
Comprehensive Construction Skills
General construction · about 109 clock hours (75 online, 34 hands-on) · 24 weeks
Objective: Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, painting and roofing, with safety and soft skills throughout. The Black Boots Initiative's core course.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Construction The course, the construction industry, and safety fundamentals. | 5.4 |
| Carpentry Tools, measuring, cutting and joining; framing, roofing and exterior finish; interior finish; and safety. | 10.2 |
| Electrical Electrical concepts and safety, wiring methods, troubleshooting and installing devices. | 8.4 |
| Plumbing Plumbing concepts and safety, installing systems, repair, and drainage and waste. | 8.4 |
| HVAC HVAC systems and principles, installation and maintenance, troubleshooting, and efficiency. | 8.4 |
| Masonry Tools, brick and block, mortar, walls and chimneys, safety, and restoration. | 8.4 |
| Painting Tools and surface preparation, interior and exterior painting, and specialty work and safety. | 6.0 |
| Roofing Materials and equipment, installing and repairing roofs, and safety, gutters and maintenance. | 6.2 |
| Safety Training OSHA training and your rights, first aid and CPR, and handling hazardous materials. | 5.8 |
| Soft Skills Training Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving and critical thinking. | 5.4 |
| Hands-on skills (14), signed off by an instructor | 34 |
Electrical Technician
Electrical · about 100 clock hours (66 online, 34 hands-on) · 16 weeks
Objective: Safety and NFPA 70E, test equipment, theory and calculations, the NEC, boxes and conduit bending, conductors, dwelling wiring, grounding and overcurrent protection, motors and HVAC circuits, and troubleshooting.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| The Electrical Trade Careers, licensing, apprenticeship, codes and how electricians work. | 5.6 |
| Safety for Electricians Shock and arc flash, NFPA 70E boundaries, lockout/tagout, an electrically safe work condition, and PPE. | 7.6 |
| Electrical Test Equipment Multimeters, clamp meters, testers, measurement categories and using them safely. | 4.8 |
| Electrical Theory and Circuits Ohm's law, power, series and parallel circuits, AC power systems, and voltage drop. | 8.8 |
| Drawings and the National Electrical Code Reading electrical plans and specifications, and finding answers in the NEC quickly. | 4.8 |
| Boxes, Raceways and Conduit Box types and box fill, raceway types, support and fill, and conduit bending. | 6.6 |
| Conductors and Cables Wire sizes, ampacity and its corrections, insulation, color codes and cable types. | 5.2 |
| Dwelling Wiring Services and panels, required circuits and outlets, GFCI and AFCI protection, and installing devices. | 9.0 |
| Grounding, Bonding and Overcurrent Protection Grounding electrodes, bonding, equipment grounding conductors, breakers and fuses, and motor and HVAC circuits. | 6.4 |
| Troubleshooting and Service Calls A step-by-step method for finding electrical problems, common faults, and handling service calls. | 5.0 |
| Hands-on skills (14), signed off by an instructor | 34 |
HVAC Technician
HVAC · about 91 clock hours (55 online, 36 hands-on) · 14 weeks
Objective: Safety and EPA 608 rules, math, electricity and controls, gas and hydronic heating, the refrigeration cycle and charging, airflow and loads, brazing, evacuation and recovery, heat pumps and mini-splits, maintenance and troubleshooting.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Introduction to HVACR The trade and career paths, EPA 608 certification and refrigerant rules, and safety. | 6.0 |
| Trade Math, Electricity and Controls HVAC math, electricity for HVAC, and reading wiring diagrams and thermostat controls. | 6.4 |
| Heating Systems Gas furnaces, boilers and hydronic heat, electric heat, and combustion, venting and carbon monoxide. | 8.0 |
| Cooling and the Refrigeration Cycle The refrigeration cycle, pressure-temperature relationships, refrigerants, and superheat and subcooling. | 7.8 |
| Air Distribution, Loads and Indoor Air Quality Ducts, airflow and static pressure, load calculations and sizing, and filters and indoor air quality. | 6.0 |
| Piping, Brazing and Refrigerant Handling Copper tubing, flares and brazing; pressure testing, evacuation and leak testing; recovery and charging. | 6.8 |
| Heat Pumps and Mini-Splits How heat pumps heat and cool, defrost and auxiliary heat, and installing ductless mini-splits. | 5.2 |
| Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Customer Service Preventive maintenance, electrical troubleshooting of capacitors, contactors and motors, and service calls. | 6.2 |
| Hands-on skills (15), signed off by an instructor | 36 |
Plumbing Technician
Plumbing · about 79 clock hours (46 online, 34 hands-on) · 13 weeks
Objective: Safety and codes, tools, math and drawings, pipe and fittings, DWV sizing and venting, water distribution and backflow, fixtures, tank, tankless and heat pump water heaters, fuel gas, and service and repair.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| The Plumbing Profession Careers, licensing, codes and plumbing safety. | 4.8 |
| Tools, Math and Drawings Tools of the trade, plumbing math, and reading plumbing drawings and isometrics. | 5.8 |
| Pipe and Fittings Plastic pipe and PEX, copper, and cast iron and steel: uses and joining. | 6.4 |
| Drain, Waste and Vent Systems How DWV systems work, traps and venting methods, and sizing, slope and cleanouts. | 6.4 |
| Water Distribution Supply, pressure and sizing; backflow prevention and water hammer. | 5.0 |
| Fixtures, Valves, Water Heaters and Gas Fixtures and valves, tank, tankless and heat pump water heaters, and fuel gas basics. | 9.2 |
| Service and Repair Common service calls, drain cleaning and camera inspection, and leak repair. | 5.8 |
| Hands-on skills (14), signed off by an instructor | 34 |
Property Maintenance Technician
General construction · about 91 clock hours (52 online, 38 hands-on) · 10 weeks · company plans only
Objective: For property management teams: electrical, plumbing, heating and steam, air conditioning and PTACs, appliances, interior and exterior repairs, locks, make-ready, preventive maintenance, work orders, fair housing and lead-safe work.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Welcome to Property Maintenance The maintenance technician's job, tools, and safety. | 4.8 |
| Electrical Maintenance and Repair Outlets, switches, GFCIs and fixtures; smoke and CO alarms; breakers and when to call an electrician. | 6.0 |
| Plumbing Maintenance and Repair Toilets, faucets and drains; leaks, shutoffs and water heaters. | 5.2 |
| Heating Systems No-heat calls, carbon monoxide safety, and steam and hot-water heat in older buildings. | 6.0 |
| Air Conditioning No-cool calls and preventive care; window units, PTACs and mini-splits. | 4.8 |
| Appliance Maintenance and Repair Refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers and dryers. | 5.0 |
| Interior and Exterior Maintenance Drywall, paint, doors and floors; locks and unit security; exterior and grounds. | 6.0 |
| Make-Ready and Preventive Maintenance Turning a vacant unit, and running a preventive maintenance program. | 4.8 |
| Work Orders, Emergencies and Compliance Prioritizing work orders and emergencies, fair housing and respect, and lead-safe work in older housing. | 7.4 |
| Hands-on skills (16), signed off by an instructor | 38 |
Floor Care Technician
Flooring · about 55 clock hours (29 online, 26 hands-on) · 5 weeks
Objective: Floor types and chemistry, equipment and pads, daily and periodic care, stone, tile, concrete and wood, stripping and refinishing, burnishing and slip safety, carpet care and spotting, and estimating.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Floor Types and Cleaning Chemistry Identifying floors, pH and dilution, and chemical safety. | 6.0 |
| Equipment and Daily Care Floor machines, pads and tools; daily and periodic care; and stone, tile, concrete and wood floors. | 6.2 |
| Stripping and Refinishing Resilient Floors Strip and refinish step by step; burnishing and slip safety. | 5.4 |
| Carpet Care Carpet maintenance and extraction, and spotting and stain removal. | 5.0 |
| Working as a Floor Care Professional Customer service, estimating and growing a floor care business. | 4.0 |
| Hands-on skills (11), signed off by an instructor | 26 |
Workforce Development for Green Jobs
Green jobs · about 61 clock hours (44 online, 17 hands-on) · 9 units
Objective: Renewable energy and solar safety, green building and weatherization with real testing, sustainable agriculture, waste management, environmental law and careers, ending with a capstone project.
| Course (section) | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Green Jobs What green jobs are and where they are. | 4.4 |
| Sustainable Development Principles The three pillars, and sustainability in practice. | 4.4 |
| Renewable Energy Renewable sources, solar PV systems and safety, and renewable energy jobs. | 6.0 |
| Sustainable Agriculture Principles and practices, and jobs in sustainable and urban agriculture. | 4.2 |
| Green Buildings Green building design, weatherization in practice, and sustainable materials. | 6.2 |
| Waste Management Waste management principles and technologies, and jobs. | 4.4 |
| Policy and Regulation Environmental laws and government, and advocacy and careers in policy. | 4.4 |
| Professional Skills Professional skills for green jobs, and career development. | 4.4 |
| Capstone Project Planning and completing a real project with a partner. | 3.6 |
| Hands-on skills (7), signed off by an instructor | 17 |
Grading and requirements for graduation
- Section tests: 70% to pass; you may retake them.
- Written answers: each one must be accepted by an instructor; answers sent back come with feedback, and you can revise them.
- Final exam: drawn from every section, passing mark shown on each course page (usually 80%), up to 3 attempts a day.
- Hands-on skills: signed off by an instructor who watched you do the task to the stated standard.
- To graduate: complete every lesson, pass every section test and the final exam, and have every written answer accepted. Your certificate lists every hands-on skill an instructor verified.
Progress reports: your course page shows your progress and grades at all times, and your transcript lists every grade.
Award
Graduates receive a certificate of completion, with a code employers can check on the Verify page. It is not a degree or diploma, and it is not a state trade license; licenses are issued by each state or city (see "Rules where you work" in each course).
Policies
- Attendance and pace: online programs are self-paced. You need to finish within your plan's access period. Live classes are optional unless your instructor says otherwise.
- Conduct: do your own work; written answers must be in your own words. Treat instructors and other learners with respect. Harassment, cheating or misuse of the site can lead to termination.
- Termination by the school: for cheating, harassment, misuse or nonpayment, after written notice. Refunds follow the policy below.
- Withdrawing: use the Withdraw button on the course page, or write to the school.
- Calendar: enroll any time; online programs start when your access begins. The school observes federal holidays for grading and support.
Tuition
Tuition will be published here once the program is approved. No tuition is taken before then.
Cancellation and refund policy
Cancellation within 5 days. You may cancel within 5 calendar days of signing your enrollment agreement for a full refund of everything you paid. The Academy charges no application or registration fee.
Before your first lesson. If you cancel after 5 days but before you complete your first lesson, you get a full refund.
After you start. If you withdraw after completing your first lesson, the minimum refund of the tuition is:
- up to and including 10% of the program's lessons completed: 90% refunded
- more than 10%, up to and including 25%: 75% refunded
- more than 25%, up to and including 50%: 50% refunded
- more than 50%: no refund
The share completed is the number of lessons you completed divided by the lessons in the program. Your cancellation date is the day you ask to cancel. Ask through the Contact page or by writing to the school. Refunds are paid within 30 calendar days. If the school rejects your enrollment, everything you paid is refunded.
Placement assistance
The Academy helps graduates with résumés, interviews and introductions to employers through its partners. The school does not promise or guarantee employment or any level of pay.
Student services
- Instructor feedback on written answers, live classes, and hands-on sign-offs.
- The study guide and reading list for each program.
- Help through the Contact page.
Questions and complaints
The School Director (School Director) handles questions or concerns; use the Contact page. Concerns the school doesn't resolve may be brought to the State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Pennsylvania Department of Education, 607 South Drive, Floor 3, Harrisburg, PA 17120, RA-PLS@pa.gov.
Student records: transcripts are kept for 50 years after you graduate or leave.