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HLS 26RS-1246 REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 827
BY REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN
PLUMBERS: Creates the Plumbing Workforce Access Act
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 37:2150, 2150.1, 2156(D), (E), (K)(1), 2156.1(A)(7), (B)(1), and
3 (I), 2158(A)(introductory paragraph), and 2164(A), (B), (H), and (I), to enact R.S.
4 37:2155.1, 2156.1.1, and 2158(A)(24) and Part II of Chapter 24 of Title 37 of the
5 Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 37:2175.1 through
6 2175.10, and to repeal Chapter 16 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
7 1950, comprised of R.S. 37:1361 through 1380, relative to licensing of plumbers; to
8 provide the State Licensing Board for Contractors the power to license and regulate
9 licensure of plumbers and plumbing contractors; to provide for definitions; to
10 provide for a Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee of the State Licensing Board for
11 Contractors; to provide for licensing penalties; to create the Louisiana Plumbing
12 Workforce Access Act; to establish an institution-based pathway to plumbing
13 licensure; to provide for curriculum standards; to provide for responsibilities of
14 Louisiana Works and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System; to
15 authorize competency-based assessment; to create an industry rotation program; to
16 provide for employer incentives; to establish a returning citizen pathway; to provide
17 for reciprocity by examination; to provide for rules and regulations; to abolish the
18 State Plumbing Board; to provide for the transfer of assets and obligations from the
19 State Plumbing Board to the State Licensing Board for Contractors; to provide for
20 an effective date; to provide for the grandfathering of existing plumbing licenses;
21 and to provide for related matters.
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1 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
2 Section 1. R.S. 37:2150, 2150.1, 2156(D), (E), (K)(1), 2156.1(A)(7), (B)(1), and (I),
3 2158(A)(introductory paragraph), and 2164(A), (B), (H), and (I) are hereby amended and
4 reenacted and R.S. 37:2155.1, 2156.1.1, and 2158(A)(24) are hereby enacted to read as
5 follows:
6 §2150. Purpose; legislative intent
7 The purpose of the legislature in enacting this Chapter is the protection of the
8 health, safety, and general welfare of all those persons dealing with persons engaged
9 in the contracting and plumbing vocation vocations, and the affording of such
10 persons of an effective and practical protection against the incompetent,
11 inexperienced, unlawful, and fraudulent acts of contractors or plumbers with whom
12 they contract. Further, the legislative intent is that the State Licensing Board for
13 Contractors shall monitor construction and plumbing projects to ensure compliance
14 with the licensure requirements of this Chapter.
15 §2150.1. Definitions
16 As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
17 (1) "Apprentice plumber license" means the license that may be granted to
18 a natural person engaged in learning the plumbing trade by working under the direct,
19 on-the-job supervision of a journeyman plumber or master plumber, and in the
20 employ of an employing entity. Apprentice plumbers shall be placed in an
21 apprenticeship approved by the board.
22 (2) "Board" means the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
23 (2) (3) "Commercial" means any construction project except residential
24 structures intended to be primarily occupied as a residence with no more than two
25 separate dwelling units incorporated into one structure.
26 (3) (4) "Contract" means an agreement to perform a scope of work that is
27 regulated by this Chapter. The project value includes the entire cost of the labor,
28 materials, rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses. The cost of materials,
29 rentals, and direct and indirect expenses shall be included regardless of who pays the
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1 costs or if they are donated. The "principal contract" is the agreement to perform the
2 entire scope of work for a construction project.
3 (4) (5)(a) "Contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or
4 submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct,
5 perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair,
6 improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or
7 furnishing labor together with material or equipment, or installing material or
8 equipment for any of the following:
9 (i) Any building, highway, road, railroad, sewer, grading, excavation,
10 pipeline, public utility structure, project development, housing, or housing
11 development, improvement, or any other construction undertaking for which the
12 project value is fifty thousand dollars or more when the property is to be used for
13 commercial purposes.
14 (ii) Any new residential structure for which the project value is fifty
15 thousand dollars or more when the property is used for residential purposes.
16 (iii) Any improvements or repairs to an existing residential structure for
17 which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
18 (iv) Any mold remediation for which the project value is seven thousand five
19 hundred dollars or more.
20 (v) Any plumbing work.
21 (b) The term "contractor" includes persons who receive an additional fee for
22 the employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal
23 architectural or engineering services.
24 (c) A contractor holding a license in the major classification of hazardous
25 materials, or any subclassifications thereunder, is defined in terms of work
26 performed for which the project value is one dollar or more.
27 (d) "Contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer, or
28 employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears
29 down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such
30 person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction
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1 undertaking. "Proprietary" means specific and specialized equipment installation,
2 manufacturing processes, used, or components that are protected from disclosure to
3 third parties by the owner or manufacturer of the equipment.
4 (5) (6) "Controlled access" means the complete building or facility area
5 under direct physical control within which an unauthorized person is denied access.
6 (6) (7) "Electrical contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts
7 to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee,
8 direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration,
9 repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or furnishing
10 labor together with material and equipment, or installing the same for the wiring,
11 fixtures, or appliances for the supply of electricity to any residential, commercial, or
12 other project, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more. This
13 Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of a contractor, general
14 contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined in this Section, nor
15 to require such individuals to become an electrical contractor.
16 (7) (8) "Employee" means a worker whose employer deducts taxes from his
17 wages and reports his annual earnings to the Internal Revenue Service using a W-2
18 form.
19 (8) (9) "Executive director" means the person appointed by the board to
20 serve as the chief operating officer in connection with the day-to-day operation of
21 the board's business. The executive director is the appointing authority for all
22 employees of the board.
23 (9) (10)(a) "General contractor" means a person who contracts directly with
24 the owner. The term "general contractor" includes the term "primary contractor" and
25 wherever used in this Chapter or in regulations promulgated thereunder "primary
26 contractor" means "general contractor".
27 (b) "General contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer,
28 or employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears
29 down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such
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1 person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction
2 undertaking.
3 (10) (11) "Home improvement" means the reconstruction, alteration,
4 renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, or demolition,
5 or the construction of an addition to any preexisting residential structure which
6 building is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling unit, or to
7 structures which are adjacent to such residence or building for which the project
8 value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more. "Home improvement" does not
9 include services rendered gratuitously.
10 (11) (12) "Home improvement contractor" means any person who undertakes
11 or attempts to undertake or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise,
12 superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a home
13 improvement project for which the project value is at least seven thousand five
14 hundred dollars but less than fifty thousand dollars. A home improvement contractor
15 shall not perform any structural work that is integral to the structural integrity of any
16 new or existing structure, including but not limited to footings, foundations, outside
17 walls, skeleton, bearing columns and interior load bearing walls, floor slabs, or
18 roofing systems to any type.
19 (13) "Journeyman plumber license" means the license that may be granted
20 to a natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to
21 install, alter, repair, and maintain plumbing systems; is supervised by a master
22 plumber; and is in the employ of an employing entity.
23 (12) (14) "License" means any form of license or registration the board is
24 authorized to issue in accordance with this Chapter.
25 (15) "Master plumber license" means the license that may be granted to a
26 natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to plan and
27 lay out plumbing systems; and who supervises journeyman plumbers in the
28 installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems.
29 (16) "Master plumbing contractor" means any person who undertakes to,
30 attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend,
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1 oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction,
2 alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down,
3 furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or equipment, or
4 installing material or equipment regarding plumbing in any structure or setting, and
5 is licensed by the board to do the same.
6 (13) (17) "Mechanical contractor" means any person who undertakes to,
7 attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend,
8 oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction,
9 alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or
10 furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material and equipment, or
11 installing the same for the construction, installation, maintenance, testing, and repair
12 of air conditioning, refrigeration, heating systems, and plumbing for all residential,
13 commercial, and industrial applications as well as ventilation systems, mechanical
14 work controls, boilers and other pressure vessels, steam and hot water systems and
15 piping, gas piping and fuel storage, and chilled water and condensing water systems
16 and piping, including but not limited to any type of industrial process piping and
17 related valves, fittings, and components, for which the project value is ten thousand
18 dollars or more. This Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of
19 a contractor, general contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined
20 in this Section, nor to require such individuals to become a mechanical contractor.
21 (14) (18) "Mold remediation contractor" means any person who engages in
22 removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventative
23 activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter that was not purposely grown at that
24 location for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
25 Mold remediation applies only to the regulation of mold-related activities that affect
26 indoor air quality and does not apply to routine cleaning when not conducted for the
27 purpose of mold-related activities intended to affect indoor air quality.
28 (15) (19) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association,
29 cooperative, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or
30 any other entity recognized by Louisiana law; and whether or not acting as a
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1 principal, trustee, fiduciary, receiver, or as any other kind of legal or personal
2 representative, or as a successor in interest, assignee, agent, factor, servant,
3 employee, director, officer, or any other representative of such person; or any state
4 or local governing authority or political subdivision.
5 (20) "Plumber" means a natural person who performs the work or business
6 of installing in buildings and on premises the pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus for
7 supplying water, or removing liquid waste or water-borne waste, and fixtures, vessels
8 and process piping that is in direct contact with products for human consumption.
9 (16) (21) "Plumbing contractor" means any person who installs, maintains,
10 and repairs potable and nonpotable tap water or sewer systems within a building
11 structure or residential structure for which the project value is ten thousand dollars
12 or more undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct,
13 supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of
14 the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up,
15 tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or
16 equipment, or installing material or equipment regarding plumbing.
17 (17) (22) "Principal" means an owner, shareholder, or an officer or director
18 of a corporation; a member or manager of a limited liability company; a general
19 partner of a partnership; a sole proprietor; a trustee; or a full-time employee with
20 similar operational control or significant influence with respect to any person as
21 determined by the board.
22 (18) (23) "Qualifying party" means a natural person designated by the
23 contractor to represent the contractor for the purpose of complying with the
24 provisions of this Chapter including but not limited to meeting the requirements for
25 the initial license and any continuation thereof.
26 (19) (24)(a) "Residential contractor" means any person who constructs a
27 fixed building or structure for sale or use by another as a residence or who, for a
28 price, commission, fee, wage, or other compensation, undertakes or offers to
29 undertake the construction or superintending of the construction of any residential
30 structure which is not more than three floors in height, to be used by another as a
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1 residence, for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more. The term
2 "residential contractor" includes all persons who receive an additional fee for the
3 employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal architectural
4 or engineering services.
5 (b) "Residential contractor" includes both of the following:
6 (i) Any person bidding or performing home improvement for which the
7 project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
8 (ii) Any person performing the installation of a modular home with a value
9 equal to or greater than fifty thousand dollars for which the total project value shall
10 not include the cost of the component parts of the modular home in the condition
11 each part leaves the factory pursuant to R.S. 40:1730.71.
12 (c) "Residential contractor" does not include any person engaged in building
13 residential structures that are built to the United States Department of Housing and
14 Urban Development's construction standards for manufactured housing as outlined
15 at 42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq., or mounted on a metal chassis and wheels.
16 (25) "Residential plumbing contractor" means any person who undertakes
17 to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise,
18 superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the
19 construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up,
20 tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or
21 equipment, or installing material or equipment regarding plumbing in any residential
22 structure that is not more than three floors in height, to be used by another as a
23 residence, for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more, and is
24 licensed by the board to do the same.
25 (20) (26) "Residential roofing" means the construction, alteration, repair,
26 improvement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing
27 labor together with materials or equipment, or the installation of materials or
28 equipment for any phase of roofing specific to a residential structure for which the
29 project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
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1 (21) (27) "Residential roofing contractor" means any person who undertakes
2 to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid, or offers to construct, supervise,
3 superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a
4 residential roofing project for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred
5 dollars or more.
6 (22) (28) "Residential structure" means a building or structure that is used
7 primarily for occupancy by a person as a residence. Such structures or buildings
8 include but are not limited to single family dwellings and duplexes which are not
9 more than three floors in height and structures that are part of or adjacent to the
10 building or structures to be used as a residence. A residential structure more than
11 three floors in height may be built by a person holding a building construction and
12 residential construction license.
13 (23) (29) "Subcontract" means an agreement to perform a portion of the
14 scope of work contained in the principal contract including the entire cost of labor
15 and materials of that part of the principal contract which is performed by the
16 subcontractor.
17 (24) (30)(a) "Subcontractor" means a person who contracts to perform a
18 scope of work that is a part of the scope of work contained in the principal contract.
19 (b) "Subcontractor" does not include any person, supplier, or manufacturer
20 who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any
21 patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used
22 solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking.
23 * * *
24 §2155.1. Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee; membership; terms; powers; duties
25 A.(1) There is hereby established within the board the Plumbing Contractors
26 Subcommittee, hereinafter referred to as "plumbing subcommittee", consisting of
27 the following eleven members appointed by the governor, each of whom shall be a
28 resident of this state, and each of whom shall have been actively engaged in
29 plumbing or contracting for at least five years prior to his appointment by the
30 governor.
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1 (a) Three members, each of whom shall be appointed from the membership
2 of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Louisiana.
3 (b) Three members, each of whom shall be appointed from the membership
4 of The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and
5 Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
6 (c) One member who shall be appointed from the membership of the
7 Louisiana Associated General Contractors.
8 (d) One member who shall be appointed from the membership of the
9 Associated Builders and Contractors of Louisiana.
10 (e) One member who shall be appointed from the membership of the
11 Louisiana Home Builders Association.
12 (f) Two members, each of whom shall not be associated with the plumbing
13 industry, to serve as members-at-large.
14 (2) Each State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education district shall
15 be represented among the membership provided in this Subsection.
16 B.(1) The terms of office for the initial members appointed to the plumbing
17 subcommittee is three members for a three-year term, four members for a two-year
18 term, and four members for a one-year term, to be determined by the governor.
19 Thereafter, all members are to be appointed for six-year terms.
20 (2) All terms commence thirty days after appointment, and all members shall
21 serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring
22 in the membership of the plumbing subcommittee for any reason shall be filled by
23 appointment by the governor for the unexpired term. No member appointed may
24 serve more than two consecutive six-year terms.
25 (3) A member may be removed by the governor for cause; or at the request
26 of the chairperson for failure to attend more than half of the regularly scheduled
27 meetings within a twelve-month period or for cause.
28 C. The executive director of the board shall serve as executive director of the
29 plumbing subcommittee and does not have voting privileges.
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1 D.(1) A member of the board shall serve as an ex officio member of the
2 plumbing subcommittee and shall serve as the liaison between the plumbing
3 subcommittee and the board. He shall be appointed by the chairperson of the board
4 and shall serve as the chairperson of the plumbing subcommittee. His presence at a
5 meeting of the plumbing subcommittee may be counted toward establishing a
6 quorum of the plumbing subcommittee, and he shall have voting privileges only if
7 either of the following circumstances exists:
8 (a) His presence is necessary to establish a quorum of the plumbing
9 subcommittee and there is a tie vote between the appointed members of the plumbing
10 subcommittee.
11 (b) His presence is necessary to establish a quorum of the plumbing
12 subcommittee, only one appointed member of the plumbing subcommittee is present,
13 and an additional ex officio member has been appointed pursuant to Paragraph (2)
14 of this Subsection.
15 (2) An additional ex officio member of the board shall serve on the plumbing
16 subcommittee only if his presence, along with the ex officio member serving
17 pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, is required to establish a quorum of the
18 plumbing subcommittee. This additional ex officio member shall be appointed by the
19 chairperson of the board and shall serve as the vice chairperson of the plumbing
20 subcommittee. He shall have voting privileges only if there is a tie vote between
21 appointed members of the plumbing subcommittee and the ex officio member
22 serving as chairperson of the plumbing subcommittee.
23 (3) The board shall pay per diem and travel expenses for ex officio members.
24 E. A quorum of the plumbing subcommittee consists of a majority of its
25 members and is sufficient to conduct plumbing subcommittee business. The
26 plumbing subcommittee shall meet at least once every other month to conduct its
27 business unless, for good cause, a meeting cannot be held. Notice of plumbing
28 subcommittee meetings shall be posted on the board's official website and at the
29 board's office at least ten days prior to the date when the plumbing subcommittee is
30 to meet.
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1 F. Each member of the plumbing subcommittee is entitled to a per diem
2 allowance of seventy-five dollars for each meeting he attends and to be reimbursed
3 for all travel expenses necessarily incurred in attending meetings.
4 G. Subject to the approval of the board, the plumbing subcommittee has all
5 of the following powers and duties:
6 (1) To adopt rules and regulations to govern all plumbing contractors,
7 apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and master plumbers in this state,
8 including all specialty classifications and sub-classifications of plumbing or
9 plumbing contracting as adopted by the board.
10 (2) To issue, suspend, or revoke licenses to do plumbing or plumbing
11 business in this state pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
12 (3) To prescribe and adopt regulations and policies for continuing education
13 for plumbers. However, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the plumbing
14 subcommittee shall not approve for use by licensees any continuing education
15 courses or written training programs provided by a member of the plumbing
16 subcommittee, or by a legal entity in which a member has a controlling interest.
17 (4) To enforce against, prosecute, or enjoin all persons violating plumbing
18 or plumbing contracting provisions of this Chapter, and rules and regulations of the
19 board; to issue fines, penalties, and other costs for violations; and incur necessary
20 expenses therein.
21 (5) If an alleged violation is known to the plumbing subcommittee, the
22 plumbing subcommittee may correct it or take appropriate action without formal
23 complaint.
24 §2156. Applications; licenses; fees; renewals
25 * * *
26 D. The board may assess an additional surcharge of not more than four
27 hundred dollars in connection with the application for and issuance of a contractor's
28 or plumber's license to a contractor or plumber not domiciled in this state, to be
29 utilized to defray the additional cost of the investigation of the application of the
30 non-Louisiana contractor or plumber.
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1 E. When issuing a license to any contractor or plumber, the board shall state
2 the contractor's or plumber's classification on the license for which he has completed
3 all of the requirements.
4 * * *
5 K.(1) The board shall assess on each license renewal issued to a contractor,
6 except a plumbing contractor, an additional fee of one hundred dollars per year to be
7 dedicated and allocated as provided in this Subsection to any public university in this
8 state or any community college school of construction management or construction
9 technology in this state that is accredited by either the American Council for
10 Construction Education or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
11 The board shall include on each license renewal form issued to a contractor an
12 optional election whereby the contractor may choose to not participate in the
13 remission of the additional one-hundred-dollar dedication fee.
14 * * *
15 §2156.1. Requirements for issuance of a contractor's license
16 A. To become licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, an
17 applicant shall make application to the board on a form adopted by the board and
18 shall state the classifications for which he is applying from the list of major
19 classifications listed herein or from the list of subclassifications and specialty
20 classification as adopted by rule. The major classifications are:
21 * * *
22 (7) Master Plumbing.
23 * * *
24 B.(1) An applicant for a contractor's license or registration shall submit a
25 financial statement on a form supplied by the board, current to within twelve months
26 of the date of filing the application, prepared and signed by an accountant,
27 bookkeeper, or certified public accountant and signed by the applicant, attesting the
28 statement is true and correct. In lieu of a signature by a certified public accountant
29 on the board's form, a current financial statement prepared by a certified public
30 accountant may be attached.
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1 * * *
2 I.(1) Any plumbing contractor who currently holds a Master Plumber
3 License from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana shall be exempt from any trade
4 examination requirement. Any person or business that advertises, solicits,
5 undertakes, attempts, offers, or submits a price, bid, quote or estimate to construct,
6 supervise, direct, oversee, or perform any construction, modification, repair, or
7 maintenance of any portion of a plumbing system is required to hold the appropriate
8 plumbing contractor license, classification, subclassification, or specialty
9 classification.
10 (2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to permit plumbing contractors
11 to perform plumbing work without first complying with the licensure provisions of
12 Chapter 16 of this Title, R.S. 37:1361 et seq. A master plumbing contractor may
13 contract to perform or supervise plumbing work for any structure. Master plumbing
14 contractor qualifying party status may be obtained only by a licensed master
15 plumber, and upon meeting all other requirements of licensure.
16 (3) A residential plumbing contractor may contract to perform or supervise
17 plumbing work only for a structure, not more than three floors in height, to be used
18 by another as a residence. Residential plumbing contractor qualifying party status
19 may be obtained by a licensed journeyman plumber or a licensed master plumber,
20 and upon meeting all other requirements of licensure.
21 * * *
22 §2156.1.1. Requirements for issuance of a plumber's license; violations; penalties;
23 classifications
24 A. Any natural person who engages in any plumbing work of any kind,
25 including as an employee of a plumbing contractor, is required to possess the
26 appropriate plumber's license. Licenses for plumbers shall be issued in accordance
27 with any of the following:
28 (1) An applicant for licensure as an apprentice plumber shall register with
29 the board in a method prescribed by the board and shall semi-annually verify his
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1 employment in the trade of apprentice plumber with the board in a method
2 prescribed by the board.
3 (2) An applicant for licensure as a journeyman plumber may obtain that
4 license from the board after the completion of two thousand hours of verified work
5 as an apprentice plumber, and after passing both a written examination and a
6 practical administration approved, recognized, or administered on behalf of the
7 board.
8 (3) An applicant for licensure as a master plumber may obtain that license
9 from the board after first becoming a licensed journeyman plumber, the completion
10 of one thousand hours of verified work as a licensed journeyman plumber, and after
11 successfully passing a written examination approved, recognized, or administered
12 on behalf of the board.
13 B. A person may not perform plumbing work, or act as a plumber as defined
14 in this Chapter, unless he holds an active license as a plumber in accordance with the
15 provisions of this Chapter. The board or plumbing subcommittee may revoke,
16 suspend, or refuse to renew a license; issue cease and desist orders to stop work;
17 issue fines and penalties; or debar any person licensed pursuant to the provisions of
18 this Chapter for a violation of any of the following requirements:
19 (1) An apprentice plumber shall work only under the supervision of a
20 journeyman plumber or a master plumber.
21 (2) A journeyman plumber may be supervised by another journeyman
22 plumber only if that supervising journeyman plumber is an employee of, or the
23 qualifying party at, a residential plumbing contractor.
24 (3) A journeyman plumber may be supervised by a master plumber who is
25 employed by or the qualifying party of a master plumbing contractor.
26 C. The plumbing subcommittee may promulgate rules and regulations for the
27 issuance of apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber licenses or temporary
28 working permits to persons possessing equivalent licenses or experience in another
29 state and that are applying to perform work in this state, as well as any additional
30 requirements or fees to be imposed for such a license or permit. Any rule or
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1 regulation promulgated pursuant to this Subsection shall comply with the Welcome
2 Home Act, R.S. 37:51 et seq., if applicable.
3 D. Additional requirements for the issuance of plumber's licenses may be
4 added by rule as the plumbing subcommittee deems appropriate.
5 * * *
6 §2158. Revocation and suspension of licenses; issuance of cease and desist orders;
7 debarment; violations; penalty; criminal penalty
8 A. No person may engage in the business of contracting, or act as a
9 contractor as defined in this Chapter, unless he holds an active license as a contractor
10 in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. The board, plumbing
11 subcommittee, and residential subcommittee may revoke, suspend, or refuse to
12 renew a license; issue cease and desist orders to stop work; issue fines and penalties;
13 or debar any person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter for any of the
14 following violations:
15 * * *
16 (24) Undertaking, attempting, or submitting a price or bid or offers to
17 construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume
18 charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition,
19 putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material
20 or equipment, or installing material or equipment regarding plumbing work without
21 holding the plumbing contractor license required for that particular scope of work.
22 * * *
23 §2164. Violations; civil penalty; jurisdiction
24 A. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter shall, after notice
25 and a hearing, be liable to the board for a fine of up to ten percent of the total
26 contract or the value of the work bid or being performed for which there is a
27 violation. In addition to the fine, the board may impose administrative costs and
28 attorney fees for each offense. In determining the amount of the administrative
29 penalty, the board, plumbing subcommittee, or residential subcommittee shall
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1 consider the circumstances and seriousness of the violation, cooperation on the part
2 of the contractor, and the history of previous violations.
3 B. A monetary penalty assessed by the board, plumbing subcommittee, or
4 the residential subcommittee is payable within ninety days or as provided by law.
5 Failure to pay an outstanding penalty may be cause to deny issuance or renewal of
6 a license or registration and may be subject to collection efforts as provided by law.
7 * * *
8 H. Anyone violating this Chapter who fails to cease work, after proper
9 hearing and notification from the board, shall not be eligible to apply for a
10 contractor's license or a plumber's license for a period not to exceed one year from
11 the date of official notification to cease work.
12 I.(1) All fines or penalties collected by the board pursuant to the provisions
13 of this Section for violations of any provision of this Chapter, except for violations
14 related to plumbing or plumbing contracting, shall, annually, at each audit of the
15 board, be transferred to a separate contractor's educational trust fund to be used for
16 educational purposes as determined by the trustees of the fund. The Construction
17 Education Trust Fund shall make an audited financial report to the board annually.
18 (2) All fines or penalties collected by the board pursuant to the provisions
19 of this Section for violations related to plumbing or plumbing contracting shall,
20 annually, at each audit of the board, be transferred to the Louisiana Community and
21 Technical College System to be used exclusively for training programs related to the
22 plumbing trade.
23 * * *
24 Section 2. Part II of Chapter 24 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
25 1950, comprised of R.S. 37:2175.1 through 2175.10, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
26 PART II. LOUISIANA PLUMBING WORKFORCE ACCESS ACT
27 §2175.1. Short title
28 This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Plumbing
29 Workforce Access Act".
30 §2175.2. Definitions
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1 As used in this Part, the following terms have the following meanings:
2 (1) "Approved institution" means a community college, vocational-technical
3 school, or correctional facility training program that has received board approval to
4 offer the Institutional Plumbing Pathway program pursuant to this Part.
5 (2) "Board" means the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
6 (3) "Competency checkpoint" means a standardized practical skills
7 assessment administered or certified by the board at defined stages of the
8 institutional pathway.
9 (4) "Industry rotation" means a structured period of supervised hands-on
10 work experience completed by an Institutional Plumbing Pathway student at a
11 participating licensed plumbing contractor's worksite.
12 (5) "Institutional Plumbing Pathway student" means a person enrolled in an
13 approved institution's program established pursuant to this Part.
14 (6) "LCTCS" means the Louisiana Community and Technical College
15 System.
16 (7) "Participating employer" means a licensed plumbing contractor that has
17 registered with the board to accept Institutional Plumbing Pathway students for
18 industry rotation as provided in this Part.
19 (8) "Returning citizen" means a person who has been released from a state
20 or federal correctional facility within the preceding five years.
21 §2175.3. Institutional Plumbing Pathway established
22 A. The board, in coordination with LCTCS, shall establish the Institutional
23 Plumbing Pathway as an alternative route to qualify for the journeyman plumber
24 examination. The Institutional Plumbing Pathway consists of three components:
25 (1) Classroom and laboratory instruction at an approved institution as
26 provided in R.S. 37:2175.5.
27 (2) Competency checkpoints as provided in R.S. 37:2175.6.
28 (3) Industry rotation as provided in R.S. 37:2175.7.
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1 B. Completion of the Institutional Plumbing Pathway satisfies the experience
2 and training requirements for application to sit for the journeyman plumber
3 examination in lieu of the employer-sponsored apprenticeship requirements.
4 C. All other requirements for journeyman licensure, including passage of the
5 journeyman plumber examination administered by the board, remain in full force and
6 effect. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to alter examination content, passing
7 standards, or the board's authority over licensure decisions.
8 D. A person who completes the Institutional Plumbing Pathway is eligible
9 to apply for any license classification established in accordance with this Chapter or
10 administered by the board, including any license classifications established by law
11 or rule on or after the effective date of this Part, if the applicant meets all applicable
12 requirements. The board shall determine eligibility, scope of work, and appropriate
13 level of licensure based on demonstrated competency, training, and experience.
14 E. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to waive or reduce any
15 examination, competency, supervision, or public safety requirements established by
16 either board.
17 §2175.4. Curriculum and laboratory standards
18 A. The board shall promulgate rules establishing minimum curriculum
19 standards for approved institutions. Such standards shall include, at a minimum, all
20 of the following:
21 (1) The Louisiana Plumbing Code, including all applicable state amendments
22 to the International Plumbing Code.
23 (2) Pipe systems, materials, and installation techniques for residential,
24 commercial, and industrial applications.
25 (3) Blueprint reading and plumbing system design.
26 (4) Workplace safety, including Occupational Safety and Health
27 Administration standards applicable to plumbing work.
28 (5) Applied mathematics for the trades.
29 (6) Water supply, drainage, waste, and venting systems.
30 (7) Medical gas systems and specialty installations, at the board's discretion.
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1 B. An approved institution shall maintain laboratory facilities sufficient to
2 allow students to develop hands-on competency in pipe fitting, fixture installation,
3 and system assembly under the supervision of a licensed master plumber or licensed
4 journeyman plumber employed by the institution.
5 C. An institution seeking approval shall submit its proposed curriculum to
6 the board for review. The board shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the
7 application within ninety days of receipt and shall provide written findings
8 supporting its decision.
9 D. Approved institutions shall be subject to periodic review by the board no
10 less frequently than every three years. The board may revoke or suspend approval
11 for material deficiencies in curriculum, facilities, or instructional quality.
12 §2175.5. Competency checkpoints
13 A. The board shall establish a series of not fewer than three competency
14 checkpoints to be completed by Institutional Plumbing Pathway students at defined
15 stages of the program. Competency checkpoints shall assess practical skills in
16 accordance with standards promulgated by the board.
17 B. Competency checkpoints shall be administered by board-certified
18 assessors and shall be independent of the approved institution. No approved
19 institution employee shall serve as the sole assessor for that institution's own
20 students.
21 C. A student who fails a competency checkpoint may remediate and retake
22 the assessment in accordance with rules promulgated by the board. An approved
23 institution shall provide remediation support for a student who does not pass.
24 D. Successful completion of all required competency checkpoints shall be
25 documented by the board and constitutes official verification of the student's
26 practical competency for purposes of qualification to sit for the journeyman plumber
27 examination.
28 §2175.6. Industry rotation program
29 A. As a component of the Institutional Plumbing Pathway, a student shall
30 complete a minimum of two thousand hours of industry rotation across at least three
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1 participating employers, with no single employer providing more than one thousand
2 of the required rotation hours.
3 B. Industry rotation shall expose the student to a range of plumbing
4 applications. An approved institution shall endeavor to ensure that each student
5 completes rotation hours in at least two of the following categories:
6 (1) Residential new construction.
7 (2) Residential service and repair.
8 (3) Commercial construction.
9 (4) Industrial or institutional applications.
10 C. A participating employer shall do all of the following:
11 (1) Register with the board and maintain a current registration in good
12 standing.
13 (2) Assign a licensed journeyman or master plumber to directly supervise
14 each institutional pathway student at all times during industry rotation.
15 (3) Submit quarterly hour verification reports to the board in a form
16 prescribed by the board.
17 (4) Certify that the student's work during rotation meets applicable safety
18 and workmanship standards.
19 D. Rotation hours are portable. If a student's rotation with one participating
20 employer is interrupted for any reason, documented hours shall be credited toward
21 the student's total and shall not be forfeited upon transfer to another participating
22 employer.
23 §2175.7. Returning citizen pathway
24 A. The board shall authorize approved institutions to include correctional
25 facilities operating under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Public
26 Safety and Corrections as delivery sites for the pre-apprenticeship and classroom
27 components of the Institutional Plumbing Pathway.
28 B. A person incarcerated in a Louisiana correctional facility who completes
29 a board-approved pre-apprenticeship plumbing program while incarcerated shall
30 receive all of the following:
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1 (1) Credit toward the classroom and laboratory instruction component of the
2 Institutional Plumbing Pathway upon release.
3 (2) Automatic registration as an Institutional Plumbing Pathway student
4 upon release, subject to any applicable licensing restrictions imposed by the board
5 related to the nature of prior convictions.
6 (3) Eligibility to complete the industry rotation component through
7 participating employers at no additional registration fee for a period of two years
8 following release.
9 C. The board shall not deny licensure to a returning citizen solely on the
10 basis of a prior conviction unless the conviction is directly and substantially related
11 to the duties and responsibilities of a licensed plumber, as determined by the board
12 in accordance with R.S. 37:2950.
13 D. Louisiana Works and the Reentry Advisory Council shall collaborate with
14 the board to develop outreach, support services, and employer recruitment specific
15 to the returning citizen pathway established by this Section.
16 §2175.8. Louisiana equivalency examination for out-of-state licensees
17 A. A person who holds a current and valid journeyman or master plumber
18 license in good standing in another state may apply for licensure in this state by
19 equivalency examination, in lieu of completing the Institutional Plumbing Pathway
20 or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship.
21 B. The equivalency examination shall test the applicant's knowledge of all
22 of the following:
23 (1) Amendments to the International Plumbing Code specific to this state.
24 (2) Administrative licensing requirements and board rules applicable to this
25 state.
26 (3) Any specific construction or environmental conditions relevant to
27 plumbing practice in this state.
28 C. An applicant who passes the equivalency examination and satisfies all
29 other board requirements, including applicable background checks and fees, shall be
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1 issued a journeyman or master plumber license at the level commensurate with the
2 applicant's out-of-state license.
3 D. The board shall promulgate rules establishing the content, passing score,
4 and administration of the equivalency examination within one hundred eighty days
5 of the effective date of this Part.
6 §2175.9. Financial assistance
7 A. Louisiana Works, in coordination with LCTCS and the board, may
8 develop a financial assistance program for Institutional Plumbing Pathway students
9 who demonstrate financial need. The program may include any of the following:
10 (1) Stipends for students during the industry rotation component.
11 (2) Reimbursement of examination fees for students who pass the
12 journeyman or master plumber examination on the first attempt.
13 (3) Low-interest loans for tools, equipment, and program-related expenses.
14 B. A student who receives financial assistance from a program created
15 pursuant to this Section and becomes licensed in this state shall commit to working
16 as a licensed plumber in this state for not fewer than two years following licensure
17 as a condition of assistance. Louisiana Works may promulgate rules governing
18 repayment obligations for a student who does not satisfy this commitment.
19 C. Financial assistance in accordance with this Section shall be funded
20 through appropriations made by the legislature. Louisiana Works shall report
21 annually to the legislature on the number of students assisted, pass rates, and
22 licensure outcomes.
23 §2175.10. Rulemaking; implementation
24 A. The board shall promulgate all rules necessary to implement this Part in
25 accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq. Initial rules
26 shall be promulgated within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of this
27 Part.
28 B. The board shall submit an annual report to the legislature and the
29 governor, not later than February first of each year, beginning in the year following
30 the first full year of program operation, which shall include all of the following:
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1 (1) The number of approved institutions and their locations.
2 (2) Enrollment and completion rates, disaggregated by race, gender,
3 geographic region, veteran status, and returning citizen status.
4 (3) Journeyman examination pass rates for Institutional Plumbing Pathway
5 graduates compared to traditional apprentices.
6 (4) The number of participating employers and employer tax credits claimed.
7 (5) Recommendations for program improvements.
8 C. The board may enter into interagency agreements with LCTCS, the
9 Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Louisiana Works, and the
10 Louisiana Department of Revenue as necessary to implement this Part.
11 Section 3. Chapter 16 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
12 comprised of R.S. 37:1361 through 1380, is hereby repealed in its entirety.
13 Section 4. The Louisiana State Law Institute is hereby directed to make technical
14 changes to statutory laws as necessary to reflect the succession of the State Plumbing Board
15 by the State Licensing Board for Contractors as provided in this Act.
16 Section 5. Any person licensed in this state as an apprentice plumber, journeyman
17 plumber, or master plumber by the State Plumbing Board on or before December 31, 2026,
18 shall hold the equivalent license of the State Licensing Board for Contractors created by this
19 Act on January 1, 2027.
20 Section 6.(A) On the effective date of this Section, the State Plumbing Board is
21 abolished and its duties and functions shall be transferred to the State Licensing Board for
22 Contractors. All unfinished business, references in laws and documents, employees,
23 property, obligations, and books and records heretofore under the control of the State
24 Plumbing Board shall be transferred to the State Licensing Board for Contractors as
25 provided in this Section.
26 (B) Unfinished business. Upon the transfer of duties and functions as provided in
27 this Section, any pending or unfinished business of the State Plumbing Board shall be taken
28 over and completed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors. The State Licensing Board
29 for Contractors is the successor in every way to the State Plumbing Board.
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1 (C) References in laws and documents. Wherever the State Plumbing Board is
2 referred to or designated by the constitution or by any law or contract or other document,
3 after the effective date of the abolition of that board as provided in this Act any such
4 reference or designation is considered to apply to the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
5 (D) Legal proceedings and documents continued. Any legal proceeding to which
6 the State Plumbing Board is a party and which is filed, initiated, or pending before any court
7 on January 1, 2027, and all documents involved in or affected by such legal proceeding, shall
8 retain their effectiveness and shall be continued in the name of the State Licensing Board for
9 Contractors. All further legal proceedings and documents in the continuation, disposition,
10 and enforcement of such legal proceedings shall be in the name of the State Licensing Board
11 for Contractors, and the State Licensing Board for Contractors shall be substituted for the
12 party to which it is the successor without the necessity for amendment of any document to
13 substitute the name of that board it is succeeding or the name or title of any office, official,
14 employee, or other agent or representative of that board it is succeeding. Any legal
15 proceeding and all documents involved in or affected by such legal proceeding, which
16 proceeding has been continued in the name of the State Plumbing Board, shall retain their
17 effectiveness, and those provisions of this Act requiring that the continuation, disposition,
18 and enforcement of a legal proceeding and documents related thereto be in the name of the
19 party to which the State Licensing Board for Contractors is the successor does not affect
20 their validity.
21 (E)(1) Protection of obligations; federal assistance. All obligations of the State
22 Plumbing Board hereafter is considered to be the obligations of the State Licensing Board
23 for Contractors to the same extent as if originally made by the State Licensing Board for
24 Contractors and the same are hereby ratified. In like manner, and in order to prevent any
25 violation of the provisions, terms, or conditions of any gift, donation, deed, will, trust, or
26 other instrument or disposition by which property vested in the State Licensing Board for
27 Contractors by this Act was previously vested in the State Plumbing Board or diversion from
28 the purposes for which such property was so vested, it is hereby specifically provided that
29 each such instrument or disposition hereafter is considered to have vested such property in
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1 the State Licensing Board for Contractors in the same manner and to the same extent as if
2 originally so done.
3 (2) The State Licensing Board for Contractors is the successor in every way to the
4 State Plumbing Board, including with respect to obligations and debts of the State Plumbing
5 Board. All dedications and allocations of revenues and sources of revenues heretofore made
6 shall continue in the same manner, to the same extent, and for the same purposes as were
7 provided prior to the enactment of this Section of this Act, unless and until other provision
8 is made for such dedications and allocations.
9 (3) This Act shall not be construed or applied in any way which will prevent full
10 compliance by the state, or any department, office, or agency thereof, with the requirements
11 of any act of the Congress of the United States or any regulation made thereunder by which
12 federal aid or other federal assistance has been or hereafter is made available to this state,
13 or any department, office, agency, or subdivision thereof, anything contained in this Act to
14 the contrary notwithstanding, and such compliance hereafter shall be accomplished by the
15 State Licensing Board for Contractors.
16 (F) Transfer of property. All books, papers, records, money, actions, and other
17 property of every kind, movable and immovable, real and personal, heretofore possessed,
18 controlled, or used by the State Plumbing Board are hereby transferred to the State Licensing
19 Board for Contractors. All funds controlled by the State Plumbing Board are hereby
20 transferred to the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
21 (G) Transfer of employees. All employees engaged in the performance of duties of
22 the State Plumbing Board are hereby transferred to the State Licensing Board for Contractors
23 and are subject to applicable state civil service laws, rules, and regulations. Employee
24 positions in the unclassified service will remain in the unclassified service.
25 Section 7. The State Plumbing Board and the State Licensing Board of Contractors
26 shall take all necessary actions prior to January 1, 2027, including but not limited to
27 amending, adopting, and repealing administrative rules as are necessary to implement the
28 provisions of this Act.
29 Section 8. Sections 1 through 6 of this Act shall become effective on January 1,
30 2027.
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1 Section 9. Sections 7, 8, and this Section of this Act shall become effective upon
2 signature by the governor, or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for
3 bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section
4 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved
5 by the legislature, Sections 7, 8, and this Section of this Act shall become effective on the
6 day following such approval.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 827 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Jordan
Abstract: Creates the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee in the State Licensing Bd. for
Contractors, abolishes the State Plumbing Bd., and transfers all powers, duties, property, and
obligations of the State Plumbing Bd. to the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors. Creates the
Plumbing Workforce Access Act, providing an alternative educational pathway to plumbing
licensure in partnership with LCTCS.
Present law provides for the legislative purpose relative to the State Licensing Bd. for
Contractors.
Proposed law amends present law to provide for legislative intent of that board regarding
plumbers.
Present law provides for definitions.
Proposed law amends definitions of "contractor" and "plumbing contractor" and adds
definitions of "apprentice plumber license", "journeyman plumber license", "master plumber
license", "master plumbing contractor", "plumber", and "residential plumbing contractor".
Present law creates the State Plumbing Bd., provides for its domicile and its membership,
provides for the term limits, compensation, and voting of members, and provides for officers
of that board.
Proposed law abolishes the State Plumbing Bd. and creates the Plumbing Contractors
Subcommittee of the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors, provides for the membership,
terms, voting, and reimbursement of its members, and provides for the officers of that
subcommittee.
Present law provides for the powers and duties of the State Plumbing Bd., and provides that
the State Plumbing Bd. is the sole and exclusive agency with the power to license plumbers
and plumbing businesses and the power to enjoin any person from engaging in plumbing
work when it appears that the person is violating provisions of present law.
Proposed law abolishes the State Plumbing Bd. and transfers its powers to license plumbers
and plumbing businesses to the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee of the State Licensing
Bd. for Contractors, including all of the following:
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(1) To adopt rules and regulations to govern all plumbing contractors and plumbers in
this state, including all specialty classifications and sub-classifications.
(2) To issue, suspend, or revoke licenses to do plumbing or plumbing business in this
state pursuant to proposed law.
(3) To prescribe and adopt regulations and policies for continuing education for
plumbers.
(4) To enforce against, prosecute, or enjoin all persons violating plumbing or plumbing
contracting provisions of proposed law, and to issue fines and penalties for
violations.
Present law provides for licensing requirements of plumbers relative to certain kinds of work
and business, provides relative to the grades of apprentice plumber, journeyman plumber,
master plumber, residential plumber limited, medical gas and vacuum systems verifier,
medical gas piping installer, and water protection supply specialists, with enforcement power
by the State Plumbing Bd.
Proposed law repeals the licensing requirements in present law and provides for licensing
of individual plumbers in apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber license grades, and
for plumbing contractors who may offer or contract to undertake plumbing work. Proposed
law provides for specialty classifications or sub-classifications to be promulgated by rule
issued by the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee.
Present law provides for temporary working permits for certain plumbers from other states.
Proposed law repeals present law and provides for the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee
to create temporary working permits by rulemaking.
Present law provides the fees the State Plumbing Board may fix for the examination,
licensing, and renewal fees for various plumbing licenses, and for fees the State Licensing
Bd. for Contractors may charge for contractor licenses.
Proposed law repeals the fees that may be issued by the State Plumbing Bd. and amends
present law regarding contractors to provide that the fees charged for contractor licenses will
also apply to plumber licenses.
Present law requires the State Plumbing Bd. to perform inspections, assess violations, issue
injunctions, or fine any person performing plumbing work without a license issued by that
board.
Proposed law abolishes the State Plumbing Bd. and provides the Plumbing Contractors
Subcommittee of the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors with the power to perform
inspections, assess violations, or issue injunctions and fines.
Proposed law provides for the transfer of all powers, duties, functions, references in law or
documents, obligations, property, titles, revenues, and employees from the State
Plumbing Bd. to the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors on the effective date of proposed
law.
Provides for multiple effective dates for provisions of proposed law.
Proposed law shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Plumbing Workforce
Access Act".
Proposed law provides legislative findings and purpose.
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Proposed law defines "approved institution", "board", "competency checkpoint", industry
rotation", "Institutional Plumbing Pathway student", "LCTCS", "participating employer",
and "returning citizen".
Proposed law provides the Institutional Plumbing Pathway as an alternative route to qualify
for the journeyman plumber examination and provides components.
Proposed law provides for rulemaking authority with respect to minimum curriculum
standards and provides for laboratory standards and periodic review by the State Plumbing
Board.
Proposed law provides that a person who completes the Institutional Plumbing Pathway is
eligible to apply for any license classification established under proposed law or
administered by the State Plumbing Board or the Louisiana State Licensing Board for
Contractors, including any license classifications established on or after the effective date
of proposed law.
Proposed law provides that the State Plumbing Bd. and the La. State Licensing Bd. for
Contractors will determine eligibility, scope of work, and appropriate level of licensure
based on demonstrated competency, training, and experience and that nothing in proposed
law is to be construed to waive or reduce any examination, competency, supervision, or
public safety requirements established by either board.
Proposed law provides for required competency checkpoints which will assess practical
skills in accordance with standards promulgated by the board.
Proposed law requires a student to complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of industry rotation
covering a range of plumbing applications across at least three participating employers, with
no single employer providing more than 1,000 of the required rotation hours.
Proposed law provides that a participating employer shall do all of the following:
(1) Register with the board and maintain a current registration in good standing.
(2) Assign a licensed journeyman or master plumber to directly supervise each
institutional pathway student at all times during industry rotation.
(3) Submit quarterly hour verification reports to the board in a form prescribed by the
board.
(4) Certify that the student's work during rotation meets applicable safety and
workmanship standards.
Proposed law provides for program participation by correctional facilities, and a person
incarcerated in a correctional facility in this state who completes a board-approved
pre-apprenticeship plumbing program while incarcerated shall receive all of the following:
(1) Credit toward the classroom and laboratory instruction component of the
Institutional Plumbing Pathway upon release.
(2) Automatic registration as an Institutional Plumbing Pathway student upon release,
subject to any applicable licensing restrictions imposed by the board related to the
nature of prior convictions.
(3) Eligibility to complete the industry rotation component through participating
employers at no additional registration fee for a period of two years following
release.
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Proposed law requires the La. Works and the Reentry Advisory Council to collaborate with
the board to develop the correctional program in accordance with proposed law.
Proposed law provides that a person who holds a current and valid journeyman or master
plumber license in good standing in another state may apply for licensure in this state by
equivalency examination.
Proposed law provides for the content of the equivalency examination.
Proposed law provides that La. Works, in coordination with LCTCS and the board, may
develop a financial assistance program funded through appropriations made by the
legislature for Institutional Plumbing Pathway students who demonstrate financial need, and
that qualifying students of a program created pursuant to proposed law shall commit to
working as a licensed plumber in this state for no fewer than two years.
Proposed law provides for rulemaking authority and requires initial rules to be promulgated
within 180 days.
Proposed law requires an annual report on program operation to the legislature and the
governor.
(Amends R.S. 37:2150, 2150.1, 2156(D), (E), and (K)(1), 2156.1(A)(7), (B)(1), and (I),
2158(A)(intro. para.), and 2164(A), (B), (H), and (I); Adds R.S. 37:2155.1, 2156.1.1 and
2158(A)(24), and 2175.1-2175.10; Repeals R.S. 37:1361-1380)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Provide that a person who completes the Institutional Plumbing Pathway shall
be eligible to apply for any license classification established under present law,
or administered by the State Plumbing Board or the Louisiana State Licensing
Board for Contractors.
3. Provide that the State Plumbing Board and the Louisiana State Licensing Board
for Contractors shall determine eligibility, scope of work, and appropriate level
of licensure based on demonstrated competency, training, and experience, and
that nothing in proposed law shall be construed to waive or reduce any
examination, competency, supervision, or public safety requirements established
by either board.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Amend proposed law regarding development of a financial assistance program
for the Institutional Plumbing Pathway from providing that La. Works shall
develop that program to providing that La. Works may develop that program.
3. Remove provisions providing legislative intent and purpose regarding the
creation of the Institutional Plumbing Pathway program.
4. Amend proposed law regarding annual reporting on program operation from
issuing that report to the legislature, governor, and the La. Legislative Black
Caucus to issuing that report to the legislature and the governor.
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5. Amend proposed law to remove a $100 annual fee to be assessed on each
plumbing contractor for license renewal to be disbursed to the La. Community
and Technical College System for plumbing training programs.
6. Delete proposed law that would have enacted a concurrent authority to license
plumbers shared by the State Plumbing Board and the State Licensing Board for
Contractors.
7. Add proposed law that abolishes the State Plumbing Board and transfers all
rights, obligations, property, employees, powers, and duties to the State
Licensing Board for Contractors.
8. Amend legislative intent relative to licensing of contractors.
9. Define "apprentice plumber license", "journeyman plumber license", "master
plumber license", "master plumbing contractor", "plumber", and "residential
plumbing contractor".
10. Amend the definitions of "contractor" and "plumbing contractor".
11. Establish the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee within the State Licensing
Board for Contractors and provide for the membership, terms, powers, and duties
of the subcommittee.
12. Amend licensing and renewal provisions relative to contractors to include
plumbing contractors.
13. Amend major classifications of contractor licenses to include master plumbing.
14. Provide for requirements relative to master plumbing contractor and residential
plumbing contractor licenses.
15. Provide for requirements relative to individual apprentice plumber licenses,
journeyman plumber licenses, and master plumber licenses.
16. Provide the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee with rulemaking authority
relative to requirements for issuance of plumber's licenses.
17. Amend present law relative to revocation and suspension of contractors' licenses
to provide the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee with powers of license
revocation and suspension.
18. Provide for violations by plumbing contractors that may be punished by license
revocation or suspension.
19. Amends present law relative to violations and penalties for contractors to provide
the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee with the power to assess violations and
penalties.
20. Amend present law regarding violations and penalties for violations by
contractors to add that provisions also apply to plumbers.
21. Provide for fines and penalties collected by the State Licensing Bd. for
Contractors or the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee for plumbing violations
or plumbing contracting violations to be transferred to La. Community and
Technical College System for plumbing training programs.
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22. Abolish the State Plumbing Bd. and transfer all powers, duties, functions, legal
standing, obligations, property, and employees in present law to the State
Licensing Bd. for Contractors.
23. Repeal present law relative to licensing requirements and restrictions of
plumbers to be enforced by the State Plumbing Bd.
24. Provide that on the effective date of proposed law, all plumbers currently
licensed in this state issued by State Plumbing Bd. shall have the equivalent
license recognized by the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors.
25. Direct State Plumbing Bd. and the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors to take all
necessary actions prior to the effective date of proposed law to implement the
provisions of proposed law.
26. Provide for multiple effective dates of proposed law.
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