Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensing Rules topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plumbing board adopts rule to shorten journeyman-to-master timeframe, posts proposed rule to expedite military licensure
Summary
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners voted Sept. 10 to adopt a rule aligning its licensing requirement with a state statute that reduced the journeyman-to-master timeframe from four years to two, and it voted to post a proposal to expedite licensing for military service members and spouses for 30 days of public comment.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners on Sept. 10 adopted a rule shortening the required time a journeyman must hold that license before applying to sit for a master exam, aligning board rules with a state law that reduced the period from four years to two. The board also voted to post a separate proposed rule to expedite licensing for military service members and their spouses under changes referenced in the meeting.
The board said the statutory change had already gone into effect Sept. 1 and the rule adoption is a formal step to match board regulations to that statute. Board staff reported the change had been posted for 30 days for public comment in the Texas Register and that no comments were received during the 30-day posting period for the first item; the posted rule was adopted by the board at the meeting.
Board members noted immediate interest from licensees: staff reported that, as of Sept. 1, about 138 journeymen had signed up to take a master exam under the shortened eligibility timeframe. Board discussion also noted roughly 2,000–3,000 journeymen could be eligible to apply if they choose.
On the military-related statutory revisions, staff said the board had not yet posted a proposed rule and the board approved a motion at the meeting to post that proposal in the Texas Register for 30 days to solicit public comment.
Votes at a glance - Adopt rule to align journeyman-to-master timeframe with statute (item 6): motion moved by James Ainsworth, seconded by Norma Yotto; motion carried by voice vote (ayes recorded). The board directed the chair to sign the order adopting the rule. - Post proposed rule to expedite licensing for military service members and spouses (item 7): motion to post for 30 days moved by Milton Gutierrez, seconded by Tommy Rice; motion carried by voice vote. - Excused absences: motion to excuse David Yalovich and Darren Black carried.
Why this matters: shortening the eligibility period may increase the number of master applicants and, the board said, could help expand the pool of licensed masters who supervise apprentices and hire journeymen. The military licensure posting aims to implement statutory changes intended to expedite licensing for veterans and spouses.
No contested roll-call votes were recorded in the meeting transcript; votes were recorded by voice and motions were carried. The board asked staff to track pass rates and related financial impacts of the rule change and to report back at a future meeting.
