International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

BAC Apprenticeship Guide: How to Join the Bricklayers Union in 2026

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers is the oldest continuously operating union in North America. Founded in 1865, the BAC represents craftworkers across bricklaying, tile setting, terrazzo, marble masonry, cement masonry, and restoration work in the United States and Canada. If you're considering a masonry career, the BAC apprenticeship is the most structured path into the trade.

What the BAC Represents

The BAC covers a wider range of masonry and finish trades than most people realize.

Bricklayers construct walls, facades, fireplaces, chimneys, and other structures using brick, block, and mortar. This is the core and most recognized BAC trade.

Tile Setters install ceramic, porcelain, stone, and glass tile in floors, walls, and countertops in residential and commercial buildings. This is one of the fastest-growing specializations within the BAC, driven by renovation and new construction demand.

Terrazzo Workers install decorative flooring systems using marble chips, glass, and other aggregates set in cement or epoxy. A specialized finish trade with consistent commercial demand.

Marble Masons install marble flooring, cladding, and decorative elements in commercial and institutional buildings. Highly skilled precision work with strong demand in high-end construction.

Cement Masons place and finish concrete flatwork including floors, sidewalks, driveways, and structural slabs.

Restoration and Waterproofing Specialists clean, repair, and restore existing masonry on historic and aging buildings. A growing specialization as aging building stock requires maintenance and preservation.

Refractory Bricklayers install heat-resistant brick and materials in industrial furnaces, kilns, and boilers. This is a specialized industrial track within the BAC.

How BAC Apprenticeships Work

BAC apprenticeships are administered through local unions and Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees across North America.

Duration is typically 3 years for most BAC trades. Some specializations may require additional training.

OJT Hours total approximately 4,500 to 6,000 hours of on-the-job training depending on the trade.

Related Training Instruction covers blueprint reading, material identification, layout techniques, safety, and trade-specific skills.

Benefits including healthcare are typically available from the start of the apprenticeship.

The BAC also offers specialty certifications through the International Masonry Institute and CTEF that demonstrate craft excellence.

How to Apply for a BAC Apprenticeship

Find your local BAC at bacweb.org. The BAC has locals across the United States and Canada. Each covers a specific geographic jurisdiction and trade specialization.

Contact your local hall directly. Application windows and requirements vary by local. Call and ask specifically about the apprenticeship process and which trades your local covers.

Submit your application. Basic requirements typically include a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and being at least 17 or 18 years old depending on the local.

Complete the interview. Work history, manual dexterity, and motivation are typically evaluated.

Wait for placement. Accepted applicants are dispatched as work becomes available through the local hiring hall.

What You'll Earn as a BAC Apprentice and Journeyman

Apprentices typically start around 40-50% of journeyman scale and step up on a published schedule roughly every six months. Journey-level pay is set by each local's collective bargaining agreement and varies substantially by market. Rates also differ between the trades the BAC covers, so a tile setter and a bricklayer working under the same local will not necessarily be on the same scale. See masonry salary data by state for brickmason and blockmason figures by metro and local.

The International Masonry Institute

The BAC operates the International Masonry Institute, a labor-management cooperation trust that provides training, technical assistance, and research for the masonry industry. IMI training programs are available to BAC members and cover advanced installation techniques, project management, and specialty certifications.

CTEF (Ceramic Tile Education Foundation) certifications are increasingly recognized as the industry standard for tile installation quality. BAC tile setters who hold CTEF certification demonstrate a level of craft excellence that is increasingly expected on high-end projects.

Finding Your BAC Local

Go to bacweb.org and use the local finder to locate the union covering your area. Contact the local hall directly and ask for the apprenticeship coordinator. Ask which trades your local covers, since BAC locals vary in which specializations they represent and some areas have separate locals for different trades within the BAC family.