TITLE 22. EXAMINING BOARDS

PART 17. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PLUMBING EXAMINERS

CHAPTER 363. EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (Board) proposes an amendment to the existing rule at 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 363, §363.4. The proposed change is referred to as the "proposed rule."

EXPLANATION OF AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE RULE

The Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1301 (Plumbing License Law or PLL) was amended by House Bill 3214 (HB 3214), 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. The proposed rule implements the statutory change made by HB 3214.

HB 3214 amends the Plumbing License Law to reduce the minimum required work experience as a journeyman plumber from four years to two years in order to qualify for a master plumber license. Under this bill, a journeyman plumber may qualify to take the examination for a master plumber’s license after holding a journeyman’s license for two years. The bill aims to address a shortage of skilled plumbers in Texas by streamlining the path to becoming a master plumber, allowing capable professionals to advance more quickly and meet growing demand in the plumbing industry.

SECTION BY SECTION SUMMARY

Section 363.4 - The proposed rule amends the existing regulation by reducing the required number of years a journeyman plumber must be licensed--from four years to two--in order to qualify for the master plumber’s licensing exam.

FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Lisa G. Hill, Executive Director for the board (Executive Director), has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed rule is in effect, there are no foreseeable increases or reductions in costs to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. The executive director has further determined that for the first five-year period the proposed rule is in effect, there will be no foreseeable losses or increases in revenue for the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

PUBLIC BENEFITS

The executive director has determined that for each of the first five years the proposed rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed rule will be to have fewer regulatory barriers to licensure and greater opportunity to expand the population of licensed plumbers.

PROBABLE ECONOMIC COSTS TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE RULE

The executive director has determined that for the first five years the proposed rule is in effect, there is no substantial economic costs anticipated to persons required to comply with the proposed rule.

ONE-FOR-ONE REQUIREMENT FOR RULE WITH A FISCAL IMPACT

Given that the proposed rule does not have a fiscal note which imposes a cost on regulated persons, including another state agency, a special district, or local government, proposal and adoption of the rule is not subject to the requirements of Government Code §2001.0045.

GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT STATEMENT

For each of the first five years the proposed rule is in effect, the Board has determined the following: (1) the proposed rule does not create or eliminate a government program; (2) implementation of the proposed rule does not require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; (3) implementation of the proposed rule does not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; (4) the proposed rule does not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; (5) the proposed rule does not create a new regulation; (6) the proposed rule does not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; (7) the proposed rule does not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; and (8) the proposed rule does not positively or adversely affect this state's economy.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT

No local economies are substantially affected by the proposed rule. As a result, preparation of a local employment impact statement pursuant to Government Code §2001.022 is not required.

FISCAL IMPACT ON SMALL AND MICRO-BUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

The proposed rule will not have an adverse effect on small or micro-businesses, or rural communities because there are no substantial economic costs anticipated to persons required to comply with the proposed rule. As a result, preparation of an economic impact statement and a regulatory flexibility analysis, as provided by Government Code §2006.002, are not required.

TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT

There are no private real property interests affected by the proposed rule. As a result, preparation of a takings impact assessment, as provided by Government Code §2007.043, is not required.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Written comments regarding the proposed rule may be submitted by mail to Patricia Latombe at 929 East 41st Street, Austin, Texas 78751, or by email to rule.comment@tsbpe.texas.gov with the subject line "Rule Amendment." All comments must be received within 30 days of publication of this proposal.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This proposal is made under the authority of Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301 as proposed by HB 3214 during the 89th Legislative Session. Section 1301.251(2) of the Texas Occupations Code authorizes the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to adopt rule as necessary to implement the Chapter.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposed rule.

§ 363.4. Master Plumber License.

To be eligible for a Master Plumber License an applicant must have held a Journeyman Plumber License issued in Texas or another state:

(1) for at least two [four] years; or

(2) for at least one year if the applicant has successfully completed a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship or another nationally-recognized apprentice training program accepted by the Board.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 30, 2025.

TRD-202502146

Patricia Latombe

General Counsel

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 10, 2025

For further information, please call: (512) 936-5216