PLUMBERS: Provides relative to plumbing licenses

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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 953
BY REPRESENTATIVE FONTENOT
PLUMBERS: Provides relative to plumbing licenses
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 37:2150, 2150.1, 2156(D), (E), (K)(1), and (L) through (N),
3 2156.1(A)(7), (B)(1), and (I), 2158(A)(introductory paragraph), and 2164(A), (B),
4 (H), and (I), to enact R.S. 37:2155.1, 2156(O), 2156.1.1, and 2158(A)(24) and to
5 repeal Chapter 16 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised
6 of R.S. 37:1361 through 1380, relative to licensing of plumbers; to provide the State
7 Licensing Board for Contractors the power to license and regulate licensure of
8 plumbers and plumbing contractors; to provide for definitions; to provide for a
9 Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee of the State Licensing Board for Contractors;
10 to provide for licensing fees and penalties; to abolish the State Plumbing Board; to
11 provide for the transfer of assets and obligations from the State Plumbing Board to
12 the State Licensing Board for Contractors; to provide for an effective date; to provide
13 for the grandfathering of existing plumbing licenses; and to provide for related
14 matters.
15 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
16 Section 1. R.S. 37:2150, 2150.1, 2156(D), (E), (K)(1), and (L) through (N),
17 2156.1(A)(7), (B)(1), and (I), 2158(A)(introductory paragraph), and 2164(A), (B), (H) and
18 (I) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 37:2155.1, 2156(O), 2156.1.1 and
19 2158(A)(24) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
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1 §2150. Purpose; legislative intent
2 The purpose of the legislature in enacting this Chapter is the protection of the
3 health, safety, and general welfare of all those persons dealing with persons engaged
4 in the contracting and plumbing vocation vocations, and the affording of such
5 persons of an effective and practical protection against the incompetent,
6 inexperienced, unlawful, and fraudulent acts of contractors or plumbers with whom
7 they contract. Further, the legislative intent is that the State Licensing Board for
8 Contractors shall monitor construction and plumbing projects to ensure compliance
9 with the licensure requirements of this Chapter.
10 §2150.1. Definitions
11 As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
12 (1) "Apprentice plumber license" means the license that may be granted to
13 a natural person engaged in learning the plumbing trade by working under the direct,
14 on-the-job supervision of a journeyman plumber or master plumber, and in the
15 employ of an employing entity. Apprentice plumbers shall be placed in an
16 apprenticeship approved by the board.
17 (2) "Board" means the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
18 (2) (3) "Commercial" means any construction project except residential
19 structures intended to be primarily occupied as a residence with no more than two
20 separate dwelling units incorporated into one structure.
21 (3) (4) "Contract" means an agreement to perform a scope of work that is
22 regulated by this Chapter. The project value includes the entire cost of the labor,
23 materials, rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses. The cost of materials,
24 rentals, and direct and indirect expenses shall be included regardless of who pays the
25 costs or if they are donated. The "principal contract" is the agreement to perform the
26 entire scope of work for a construction project.
27 (4) (5)(a) "Contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or
28 submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct,
29 perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair,
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1 improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or
2 furnishing labor together with material or equipment, or installing material or
3 equipment for any of the following:
4 (i) Any building, highway, road, railroad, sewer, grading, excavation,
5 pipeline, public utility structure, project development, housing, or housing
6 development, improvement, or any other construction undertaking for which the
7 project value is fifty thousand dollars or more when the property is to be used for
8 commercial purposes.
9 (ii) Any new residential structure for which the project value is fifty
10 thousand dollars or more when the property is used for residential purposes.
11 (iii) Any improvements or repairs to an existing residential structure for
12 which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
13 (iv) Any mold remediation for which the project value is seven thousand five
14 hundred dollars or more.
15 (v) Any plumbing work.
16 (b) The term "contractor" includes persons who receive an additional fee for
17 the employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal
18 architectural or engineering services.
19 (c) A contractor holding a license in the major classification of hazardous
20 materials, or any subclassifications thereunder, is defined in terms of work
21 performed for which the project value is one dollar or more.
22 (d) "Contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer, or
23 employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears
24 down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such
25 person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction
26 undertaking. "Proprietary" means specific and specialized equipment installation,
27 manufacturing processes, used, or components that are protected from disclosure to
28 third parties by the owner or manufacturer of the equipment.
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1 (5) (6) "Controlled access" means the complete building or facility area
2 under direct physical control within which an unauthorized person is denied access.
3 (6) (7) "Electrical contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts
4 to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee,
5 direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration,
6 repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or furnishing
7 labor together with material and equipment, or installing the same for the wiring,
8 fixtures, or appliances for the supply of electricity to any residential, commercial, or
9 other project, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more. This
10 Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of a contractor, general
11 contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined in this Section, nor
12 to require such individuals to become an electrical contractor.
13 (7) (8) "Employee" means a worker whose employer deducts taxes from his
14 wages and reports his annual earnings to the Internal Revenue Service using a W-2
15 form.
16 (8) (9) "Executive director" means the person appointed by the board to
17 serve as the chief operating officer in connection with the day-to-day operation of
18 the board's business. The executive director is the appointing authority for all
19 employees of the board.
20 (9) (10)(a) "General contractor" means a person who contracts directly with
21 the owner. The term "general contractor" includes the term "primary contractor" and
22 wherever used in this Chapter or in regulations promulgated thereunder "primary
23 contractor" means "general contractor".
24 (b) "General contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer,
25 or employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears
26 down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such
27 person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction
28 undertaking.
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1 (10) (11) "Home improvement" means the reconstruction, alteration,
2 renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, or demolition,
3 or the construction of an addition to any preexisting residential structure which
4 building is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling unit, or to
5 structures which are adjacent to such residence or building for which the project
6 value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more. "Home improvement" does not
7 include services rendered gratuitously.
8 (11) (12) "Home improvement contractor" means any person who undertakes
9 or attempts to undertake or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise,
10 superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a home
11 improvement project for which the project value is at least seven thousand five
12 hundred dollars but less than fifty thousand dollars. A home improvement contractor
13 shall not perform any structural work that is integral to the structural integrity of any
14 new or existing structure, including but not limited to footings, foundations, outside
15 walls, skeleton, bearing columns and interior load bearing walls, floor slabs, or
16 roofing systems to any type.
17 (13) "Journeyman plumber license" means the license that may be granted
18 to a natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to
19 install, alter, repair, and maintain plumbing systems; is supervised by a master
20 plumber; and is in the employ of an employing entity.
21 (12) (14) "License" means any form of license or registration the board is
22 authorized to issue in accordance with this Chapter.
23 (15) "Master plumber license" means the license that may be granted to a
24 natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to plan and
25 lay out plumbing systems; and who supervises journeyman plumbers in the
26 installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems.
27 (16) "Master plumbing contractor" means any person who undertakes to,
28 attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend,
29 oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction,
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1 alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down,
2 furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or equipment, or
3 installing material or equipment regarding plumbing in any structure or setting, and
4 is licensed by the board to do the same.
5 (13) (17) "Mechanical contractor" means any person who undertakes to,
6 attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend,
7 oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction,
8 alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or
9 furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material and equipment, or
10 installing the same for the construction, installation, maintenance, testing, and repair
11 of air conditioning, refrigeration, heating systems, and plumbing for all residential,
12 commercial, and industrial applications as well as ventilation systems, mechanical
13 work controls, boilers and other pressure vessels, steam and hot water systems and
14 piping, gas piping and fuel storage, and chilled water and condensing water systems
15 and piping, including but not limited to any type of industrial process piping and
16 related valves, fittings, and components, for which the project value is ten thousand
17 dollars or more. This Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of
18 a contractor, general contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined
19 in this Section, nor to require such individuals to become a mechanical contractor.
20 (14) (18) "Mold remediation contractor" means any person who engages in
21 removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventative
22 activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter that was not purposely grown at that
23 location for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
24 Mold remediation applies only to the regulation of mold-related activities that affect
25 indoor air quality and does not apply to routine cleaning when not conducted for the
26 purpose of mold-related activities intended to affect indoor air quality.
27 (15) (19) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association,
28 cooperative, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or
29 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
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1 structure which is not more than three floors in height, to be used by another as a
2 residence, for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more. The term
3 "residential contractor" includes all persons who receive an additional fee for the
4 employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal architectural
5 or engineering services.
6 (b) "Residential contractor" includes both of the following:
7 (i) Any person bidding or performing home improvement for which the
8 project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.
9 (ii) Any person performing the installation of a modular home with a value
10 equal to or greater than fifty thousand dollars for which the total project value shall
11 not include the cost of the component parts of the modular home in the condition
12 each part leaves the factory pursuant to R.S. 40:1730.71.
13 (c) "Residential contractor" does not include any person engaged in building
14 residential structures that are built to the United States Department of Housing and
15 Urban Development's construction standards for manufactured housing as outlined
16 at 42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq., or mounted on a metal chassis and wheels.
17 (25) "Residential plumbing contractor" means any person who undertakes
18 to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise,
19 superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the
20 construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up,
21 tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or
22 equipment, or installing material or equipment regarding plumbing in any residential
23 structure that is not more than three floors in height, to be used by another as a
24 residence, for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more, and is
25 licensed by the board to do the same.
26 (20) (26) "Residential roofing" means the construction, alteration, repair,
27 improvement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing
28 labor together with materials or equipment, or the installation of materials or
29 equipment for any phase of roofing specific to a residential structure for which the
30 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.
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1 C. The executive director of the board shall serve as executive director of the
2 plumbing subcommittee and does not have voting privileges.
3 D.(1) A member of the board shall serve as an ex officio member of the
4 plumbing subcommittee and shall serve as the liaison between the plumbing
5 subcommittee and the board. He shall be appointed by the chairperson of the board
6 and shall serve as the chairperson of the plumbing subcommittee. His presence at a
7 meeting of the plumbing subcommittee may be counted toward establishing a
8 quorum of the plumbing subcommittee, and he shall have voting privileges only if
9 either of the following circumstances exists:
10 (a) His presence is necessary to establish a quorum of the plumbing
11 subcommittee and there is a tie vote between the appointed members of the plumbing
12 subcommittee.
13 (b) His presence is necessary to establish a quorum of the plumbing
14 subcommittee, only one appointed member of the plumbing subcommittee is present,
15 and an additional ex officio member has been appointed pursuant to Paragraph (2)
16 of this Subsection.
17 (2) An additional ex officio member of the board shall serve on the plumbing
18 subcommittee only if his presence, along with the ex officio member serving
19 pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, is required to establish a quorum of the
20 plumbing subcommittee. This additional ex officio member shall be appointed by the
21 chairperson of the board and shall serve as the vice chairperson of the plumbing
22 subcommittee. He shall have voting privileges only if there is a tie vote between
23 appointed members of the plumbing subcommittee and the ex officio member
24 serving as chairperson of the plumbing subcommittee.
25 (3) The board shall pay per diem and travel expenses for ex officio members.
26 E. A quorum of the plumbing subcommittee consists of a majority of its
27 members and is sufficient to conduct plumbing subcommittee business. The
28 plumbing subcommittee shall meet at least once every other month to conduct its
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1 business unless, for good cause, a meeting cannot be held. Notice of plumbing
2 subcommittee meetings shall be posted on the board's official website and at the
3 board's office at least ten days prior to the date when the plumbing subcommittee is
4 to meet.
5 F. Each member of the plumbing subcommittee is entitled to a per diem
6 allowance of seventy-five dollars for each meeting he attends and to be reimbursed
7 for all travel expenses necessarily incurred in attending meetings.
8 G. Subject to the approval of the board, the plumbing subcommittee has all
9 of the following powers and duties:
10 (1) To adopt rules and regulations to govern all plumbing contractors,
11 apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and master plumbers in this state,
12 including all specialty classifications and sub-classifications of plumbing or
13 plumbing contracting as adopted by the board.
14 (2) To issue, suspend, or revoke licenses to do plumbing or plumbing
15 business in this state pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
16 (3) To prescribe and adopt regulations and policies for continuing education
17 for plumbers. However, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the plumbing
18 subcommittee shall not approve for use by licensees any continuing education
19 courses or written training programs provided by a member of the plumbing
20 subcommittee, or by a legal entity in which a member has a controlling interest.
21 (4) To enforce against, prosecute, or enjoin all persons violating plumbing
22 or plumbing contracting provisions of this Chapter, and rules and regulations of the
23 board; to issue fines, penalties, and other costs for violations; and incur necessary
24 expenses therein.
25 (5) If an alleged violation is known to the plumbing subcommittee, the
26 plumbing subcommittee may correct it or take appropriate action without formal
27 complaint.
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1 §2156. Applications; licenses; fees; renewals
2 * * *
3 D. The board may assess an additional surcharge of not more than four
4 hundred dollars in connection with the application for and issuance of a contractor's
5 or plumber's license to a contractor or plumber not domiciled in this state, to be
6 utilized to defray the additional cost of the investigation of the application of the
7 non-Louisiana contractor or plumber.
8 E. When issuing a license to any contractor or plumber, the board shall state
9 the contractor's or plumber's classification on the license for which he has completed
10 all of the requirements.
11 * * *
12 K.(1) The board shall assess on each license renewal issued to a contractor,
13 except a plumbing contractor, an additional fee of one hundred dollars per year to be
14 dedicated and allocated as provided in this Subsection to any public university in this
15 state or any community college school of construction management or construction
16 technology in this state that is accredited by either the American Council for
17 Construction Education or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
18 The board shall include on each license renewal form issued to a contractor an
19 optional election whereby the contractor may choose to not participate in the
20 remission of the additional one-hundred-dollar dedication fee.
21 * * *
22 L.(1) The board shall assess on each license renewal issued to a plumbing
23 contractor an additional fee of one hundred dollars per year to be dedicated and
24 allocated as provided in this Subsection to the Louisiana Community and Technical
25 College System to be used exclusively for training programs related to the plumbing
26 trade. The board shall include on each license renewal form issued to a plumbing
27 contractor an optional election whereby that plumbing contractor may choose to not
28 participate in the allocation of the additional one hundred dollar dedication fee.
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1 (2) The monies collected pursuant to this Subsection are in addition to any
2 other monies received by those schools and are intended to supplement and not
3 replace, displace, or supplant any other monies received from the state or from any
4 other source.
5 (3) Monies collected pursuant to this Subsection shall be disbursed to the
6 Louisiana Community and Technical College System by October first of each year
7 upon the completion of the annual audit of the board, after subtracting a two percent
8 administrative fee on the total collected to be retained by the board.
9 M. The licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter are not
10 transferable.
11 M. N. No license shall be issued to any domestic or foreign entity required
12 to be registered with the secretary of state which does not hold a certificate of
13 authority to do business in good standing.
14 N. O. Except for the licenses, fees, and assessments authorized by this
15 Chapter, and except for the occupational license taxes authorized by the constitution
16 and laws of this state, and except for permit fees charged by parishes and
17 municipalities for inspection purposes, and except for licenses required by parishes
18 and municipalities for the purpose of determining the competency of mechanical or
19 plumbing contractors, or both, and electrical contractors, no contractor shall be liable
20 for any fee or license as a condition of engaging in the contracting business.
21 §2156.1. Requirements for issuance of a contractor's license
22 A. To become licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, an
23 applicant shall make application to the board on a form adopted by the board and
24 shall state the classifications for which he is applying from the list of major
25 classifications listed herein or from the list of subclassifications and specialty
26 classification as adopted by rule. The major classifications are:
27 * * *
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1 (7) Master Plumbing.
2 * * *
3 B.(1) An applicant for a contractor's license or registration shall submit a
4 financial statement on a form supplied by the board, current to within twelve months
5 of the date of filing the application, prepared and signed by an accountant,
6 bookkeeper, or certified public accountant and signed by the applicant, attesting the
7 statement is true and correct. In lieu of a signature by a certified public accountant
8 on the board's form, a current financial statement prepared by a certified public
9 accountant may be attached.
10 * * *
11 I.(1) Any plumbing contractor who currently holds a Master Plumber
12 License from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana shall be exempt from any trade
13 examination requirement. Any person or business that advertises, solicits,
14 undertakes, attempts, offers, or submits a price, bid, quote or estimate to construct,
15 supervise, direct, oversee, or perform any construction, modification, repair, or
16 maintenance of any portion of a plumbing system is required to hold the appropriate
17 plumbing contractor license, classification, subclassification, or specialty
18 classification.
19 (2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to permit plumbing contractors
20 to perform plumbing work without first complying with the licensure provisions of
21 Chapter 16 of this Title, R.S. 37:1361 et seq. A master plumbing contractor may
22 contract to perform or supervise plumbing work for any structure. Master plumbing
23 contractor qualifying party status may be obtained only by a licensed master
24 plumber, and upon meeting all other requirements of licensure.
25 (3) A residential plumbing contractor may contract to perform or supervise
26 plumbing work only for a structure, not more than three floors in height, to be used
27 by another as a residence. Residential plumbing contractor qualifying party status
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1 may be obtained by a licensed journeyman plumber or a licensed master plumber,
2 and upon meeting all other requirements of licensure.
3 * * *
4 §2156.1.1. Requirements for issuance of a plumber's license; violations; penalties;
5 classifications
6 A. Any natural person who engages in any plumbing work of any kind,
7 including as an employee of a plumbing contractor, is required to possess the
8 appropriate plumber's license. Licenses for plumbers shall be issued in accordance
9 with any of the following:
10 (1) An applicant for licensure as an apprentice plumber shall register with
11 the board in a method prescribed by the board and shall semi-annually verify his
12 employment in the trade of apprentice plumber with the board in a method
13 prescribed by the board.
14 (2) An applicant for licensure as a journeyman plumber may obtain that
15 license from the board after the completion of two thousand hours of verified work
16 as an apprentice plumber, and after passing both a written examination and a
17 practical administration approved, recognized, or administered on behalf of the
18 board.
19 (3) An applicant for licensure as a master plumber may obtain that license
20 from the board after first becoming a licensed journeyman plumber, the completion
21 of one thousand hours of verified work as a licensed journeyman plumber, and after
22 successfully passing a written examination approved, recognized, or administered
23 on behalf of the board.
24 B. A person may not perform plumbing work, or act as a plumber as defined
25 in this Chapter, unless he holds an active license as a plumber in accordance with the
26 provisions of this Chapter. The board or plumbing subcommittee may revoke,
27 suspend, or refuse to renew a license; issue cease and desist orders to stop work;
28 issue fines and penalties; or debar any person licensed pursuant to the provisions of
29 this Chapter for a violation of any of the following requirements:
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1 (1) An apprentice plumber shall work only under the supervision of a
2 journeyman plumber or a master plumber.
3 (2) A journeyman plumber may be supervised by another journeyman
4 plumber only if that supervising journeyman plumber is an employee of, or the
5 qualifying party at, a residential plumbing contractor.
6 (3) A journeyman plumber may be supervised by a master plumber who is
7 employed by or the qualifying party of a master plumbing contractor.
8 C. The plumbing subcommittee may promulgate rules and regulations for the
9 issuance of apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber licenses or temporary
10 working permits to persons possessing equivalent licenses or experience in another
11 state and that are applying to perform work in this state, as well as any additional
12 requirements or fees to be imposed for such a license or permit. Any rule or
13 regulation promulgated pursuant to this Subsection shall comply with the Welcome
14 Home Act, R.S. 37:51 et seq., if applicable.
15 D. Additional requirements for the issuance of plumber's licenses may be
16 added by rule as the plumbing subcommittee deems appropriate.
17 * * *
18 §2158. Revocation and suspension of licenses; issuance of cease and desist orders;
19 debarment; violations; penalty; criminal penalty
20 A. No person may engage in the business of contracting, or act as a
21 contractor as defined in this Chapter, unless he holds an active license as a contractor
22 in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. The board, plumbing
23 subcommittee, and residential subcommittee may revoke, suspend, or refuse to
24 renew a license; issue cease and desist orders to stop work; issue fines and penalties;
25 or debar any person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter for any of the
26 following violations:
27 * * *
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1 (24) Undertaking, attempting, or submitting a price or bid or offers to
2 construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume
3 charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition,
4 putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material
5 or equipment, or installing material or equipment regarding plumbing work without
6 holding the plumbing contractor license required for that particular scope of work.
7 * * *
8 §2164. Violations; civil penalty; jurisdiction
9 A. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter shall, after notice
10 and a hearing, be liable to the board for a fine of up to ten percent of the total
11 contract or the value of the work bid or being performed for which there is a
12 violation. In addition to the fine, the board may impose administrative costs and
13 attorney fees for each offense. In determining the amount of the administrative
14 penalty, the board, plumbing subcommittee, or residential subcommittee shall
15 consider the circumstances and seriousness of the violation, cooperation on the part
16 of the contractor, and the history of previous violations.
17 B. A monetary penalty assessed by the board, plumbing subcommittee, or
18 the residential subcommittee is payable within ninety days or as provided by law.
19 Failure to pay an outstanding penalty may be cause to deny issuance or renewal of
20 a license or registration and may be subject to collection efforts as provided by law.
21 * * *
22 H. Anyone violating this Chapter who fails to cease work, after proper
23 hearing and notification from the board, shall not be eligible to apply for a
24 contractor's license or a plumber's license for a period not to exceed one year from
25 the date of official notification to cease work.
26 I.(1) All fines or penalties collected by the board pursuant to the provisions
27 of this Section for violations of any provision of this Chapter, except for violations
28 related to plumbing or plumbing contracting, shall, annually, at each audit of the
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1 board, be transferred to a separate contractor's educational trust fund to be used for
2 educational purposes as determined by the trustees of the fund. The Construction
3 Education Trust Fund shall make an audited financial report to the board annually.
4 (2) All fines or penalties collected by the board pursuant to the provisions
5 of this Section for violations related to plumbing or plumbing contracting shall,
6 annually, at each audit of the board, be transferred to the Louisiana Community and
7 Technical College System to be used exclusively for training programs related to the
8 plumbing trade.
9 * * *
10 Section 2. Chapter 16 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
11 comprised of R.S. 37:1361 through 1380, is hereby repealed in its entirety.
12 Section 3. The Louisiana State Law Institute is hereby directed to make technical
13 changes to statutory laws as necessary to reflect the succession of the State Plumbing Board
14 by the State Licensing Board for Contractors as provided in this Act.
15 Section 4. Any person licensed in this state as an apprentice plumber, journeyman
16 plumber, or master plumber by the State Plumbing Board on or before December 31, 2026,
17 shall hold the equivalent license of the State Licensing Board for Contractors created by this
18 Act on January 1, 2027.
19 Section 5. (A) On the effective date of this Section, the State Plumbing Board is
20 abolished and its duties and functions shall be transferred to the State Licensing Board for
21 Contractors. All unfinished business, references in laws and documents, employees,
22 property, obligations, and books and records heretofore under the control of the State
23 Plumbing Board shall be transferred to the State Licensing Board for Contractors as
24 provided in this Section.
25 (B) Unfinished business. Upon the transfer of duties and functions as provided in
26 this Section, any pending or unfinished business of the State Plumbing Board shall be taken
27 over and completed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors. The State Licensing Board
28 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 Section 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
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1 each such instrument or disposition hereafter is considered to have vested such property in
2 the State Licensing Board for Contractors in the same manner and to the same extent as if
3 originally so done.
4 (2) The State Licensing Board for Contractors is the successor in every way to the
5 State Plumbing Board, including with respect to obligations and debts of the State Plumbing
6 Board. All dedications and allocations of revenues and sources of revenues heretofore made
7 shall continue in the same manner, to the same extent, and for the same purposes as were
8 provided prior to the enactment of this Section of this Act, unless and until other provision
9 is made for such dedications and allocations.
10 (3) This Act shall not be construed or applied in any way which will prevent full
11 compliance by the state, or any department, office, or agency thereof, with the requirements
12 of any act of the Congress of the United States or any regulation made thereunder by which
13 federal aid or other federal assistance has been or hereafter is made available to this state,
14 or any department, office, agency, or subdivision thereof, anything contained in this Act to
15 the contrary notwithstanding, and such compliance hereafter shall be accomplished by the
16 State Licensing Board for Contractors.
17 (F) Transfer of property. All books, papers, records, money, actions, and other
18 property of every kind, movable and immovable, real and personal, heretofore possessed,
19 controlled, or used by the State Plumbing Board are hereby transferred to the State Licensing
20 Board for Contractors. All funds controlled by the State Plumbing Board are hereby
21 transferred to the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
22 (G) Transfer of employees. All employees engaged in the performance of duties of
23 the State Plumbing Board are hereby transferred to the State Licensing Board for Contractors
24 and are subject to applicable state civil service laws, rules, and regulations. Employee
25 positions in the unclassified service will remain in the unclassified service.
26 Section 6. The State Plumbing Board and the State Licensing Board of Contractors
27 shall take all necessary actions prior to January 1, 2027, including but not limited to
28 amending, adopting, and repealing administrative rules as are necessary to implement the
29 provisions of this Act.
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1 Section 7. Sections 1 through 5 of this Act shall become effective on January 1,
2 2027.
3 Section 8. Sections 6 and 7 and this Section of this Act shall become effective upon
4 signature by the governor, or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for
5 bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section
6 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved
7 by the legislature, Sections 6 and 7 and this Section of this Act shall become effective on the
8 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 953 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Fontenot
Abstract: Creates Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee in the State Licensing Bd. for
Contractors, abolishes the State Plumbing Bd., and transfers all powers, duties,
property, and obligations of State Plumbing Bd. to State Licensing Bd. for
Contractors.
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.
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Proposed law abolishes 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:
(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 State Plumbing Bd. and amends present
law regarding contractors to provide that the fees charged for contractor licenses shall also
apply to plumber licenses.
Present law provides for 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 repeals the State Plumbing Bd. and provides the Plumbing Contractors
Subcommittee of the State Licensing Bd. for Contractors with 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 State Plumbing Bd.
to State Licensing Bd. for Contractors on effective date of proposed law.
Provides for multiple effective dates for provisions of proposed law.
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(Amends R.S. 37:2150, 2150.1, 2156(D), (E), (K)(1), and (L) through (N), 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(O), 2156.1.1 and 2158(A)(24); 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. Define "equivalent license" as a license issued pursuant to proposed law that has
all of the following characteristics:
(a) Requires successful passage of a standardized examination demonstrating
competency in plumbing codes, safety, and installation practices.
(b) Requires completion of a minimum number of supervised work hours or
experience sufficient to demonstrate practical competency, as established by rule
of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
(c) Establishes a defined scope of work authorized in accordance with such
license.
(d) Requires compliance with all applicable building codes and permitting
requirements.
(e) Requires maintenance of insurance policies for workers' compensation and
for general liability in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars for each
policy.
(f) May include supervision or project limitations as established by rule.
3. Remove the provision that the La. State Bd. for Contractors may issue equivalent
or similar licenses for residential, apprentice, journeyman, and master plumbers,
and add a provision stating that La. State Bd. for Contractors may establish an
alternative pathway for licensure of individuals performing plumbing work based
on demonstrated competency through examination and practical experience
requirements, to be designated a "certified plumbing technician" or similar title.
4. Provide that for the alternative pathway license that may be created by La. State
Bd. for Contractors to be considered an equivalent license, it must require
experience sufficient to ensure basic competency and shall be established by rule
and that a licensee pursuant to proposed law is required to maintain insurance
policies for general liability and workers' compensation in the amounts of
$300,000 each.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. 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.
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3. 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.
4. Amend legislative intent relative to licensing of contractors.
5. Define "apprentice plumber license", "journeyman plumber license", "master
plumber license", "master plumbing contractor", "plumber", and "residential
plumbing contractor".
6. Amend the definitions of "contractor" and "plumbing contractor".
7. Establish the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee within the State Licensing
Board for Contractors and provide for the membership, terms, powers, and duties
of the subcommittee.
8. Amend licensing and renewal provisions relative to contractors to include
plumbing contractors.
9. Amend major classifications of contractor licenses to include master plumbing.
10. Provide for requirements relative to master plumbing contractor and residential
plumbing contractor licenses.
11. Provide for requirements relative to individual apprentice plumber licenses,
journeyman plumber licenses, and master plumber licenses.
12. Provide the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee with rulemaking authority
relative to requirements for issuance of plumber's licenses.
13. Amend present law relative to revocation and suspension of contractors' licenses
to provide the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee with powers of license
revocation and suspension.
14. Provide for violations by plumbing contractors that may be punished by license
revocation or suspension.
15. Amends present law relative to violations and penalties for contractors to provide
the Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee with power to assess violations and
penalties.
16. Amend present law regarding violations and penalties for violations by
contractors to add that provisions also apply to plumbers.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Repeal present law relative to licensing requirements and restrictions of
plumbers to be enforced by the State Plumbing Bd.
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20. 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.
21. 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.
22. Provide for multiple effective dates of proposed law.
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