Licensed Plumbers??

[Hoss163]

Something will happen they aren’t just going to let this ride I don’t believe. I just hope they don’t leave it up to the local inspectors to make the new rules. Because our head inspector will go strictly by the book and enforce every thing in it .

[eradicator]

It is political but will work itself out in ways we will never understand!

All state agencies and boards are subject to a "Sunset Review" periodically and this time around the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) got the hook.

The purpose of the board on paper is to license and regulate the plumbing industry. Politically speaking it is a way for politicians to say "hey look, we are watching out for the citizens of Texas" and also to collect money.

What's funny is the plumbing industry supports this entity financially via license fee's and to a smaller degree fines imposed on violations of the plumbing law.

In a perfect world this board should go after non-licensed people doing plumbing work. Problem is the fines imposed are up-held by the threat of loosing your license which these type of violators do not have in the first place. I.E. there is no money in it so they do not go after these type of folks!

Instead they press on the actual license holders for relatively BS violations.

Now this issue of abolishing the TSBPE is more than likely a result of political pressure from lobbyist representing the home building industry. These guys have their act together and have been trying successfully to dumb down the very restrictive licensing requirements in order to have more skilled/licensed labor available to build houses and multi-family living at a cheaper wage.

Follow the money! Always follow the money!

Once someone figures out they just threw out a chance to collect money the powers that be will get their hands back on this issue. I have read that the TDLR will take over this. They handle towing, barbers/cosmetology and electrical licensing among other things.

To leave this up to local municipalities will be a disaster. Imagine every city in Texas having free reign to make up stuff as they go. It is already bad enough that they can amend the building codes to suit their needs, usually with pressure from product manufacturers threatening to sue them if they do not approve the use of their product.

It is gonna get western for sure.

yessir

[eradicator]

I guess i am the only one who is for less govt regulation. There will always be good plumbers and bad, licensed or not. Licensing is just something to make a consumer feel good, make plumbers more money, and make the govt. money. It actually does little for quality control

Maybe, but at least they care enough to go through the proper channels to become certified and licensed.

[RJH1]

Maybe, but at least they care enough to go through the proper channels to become certified and licensed.

Actually licensing tends to come from unions and is just a way to try to monopolize an industry. I am not a licensed plumber, but i have fixed things licensed plumbers have messed up

[eradicator]

Actually licensing tends to come from unions and is just a way to try to monopolize an industry. I am not a licensed plumber, but i have fixed things licensed plumbers have messed up

I don't doubt that. Are you insured?

[RJH1]

I don't doubt that. Are you insured?

Nope, just some hillbilly. And don't think that i am saying all licensed plumbers are bad, cause i ain't, just that a license doesn't mean that they are automatically good. The license is just a feel good for some people and a money grab for others.

[MadHatter]

Actually licensing tends to come from unions and is just a way to try to monopolize an industry. I am not a licensed plumber, but i have fixed things licensed plumbers have messed up

I'm with you. 1 guy has a liscense and he employs idiots, who are underpaid, to go fix your stuff, and expects them to give a ****. To top it off, he charges you and exhorbent fee .

[W-O]

Cities larger than 5,000 in population are required to adopt a plumbing code and cities less than 5,000 in population may adopt a plumbing code( I believe either Southern or Unified plumbing code). Cities may adopt rules tougher than the plumbing code but generally not less stringent. Plumbing codes only apply within the jurisdiction of a city which has adopted a plumbing code. This hasn't changed just the licensing of plumbers. I am sure the plumbing licenses will now fall under TDLR just like electricians, HVAC and many others where it should have been. Why did we have a separate agency just to regulate the licenses of plumbers but not to license electricians?

[double bogey]

Cities larger than 5,000 in population are required to adopt a plumbing code and cities less than 5,000 in population may adopt a plumbing code( I believe either Southern or Unified plumbing code). Cities may adopt rules tougher than the plumbing code but generally not less stringent. Plumbing codes only apply within the jurisdiction of a city which has adopted a plumbing code. This hasn't changed just the licensing of plumbers. I am sure the plumbing licenses will now fall under TDLR just like electricians, HVAC and many others where it should have been. Why did we have a separate agency just to regulate the licenses of plumbers but not to license electricians?

The plumbers were licensed before the hvac people were. That agency has probably been fighting tooth and nail to keep that authority. I got my hvac license the first couple of months they were available in the mid 80's. Mine is TACLA28**C.
I see numbers on trucks now in the 70,000 range. Seems like you cannot throw a dead cat anymore without hitting an a/c truck.

[ramrod]

I'm with you. 1 guy has a liscense and he employs idiots, who are underpaid, to go fix your stuff, and expects them to give a ****. To top it off, he charges you and exhorbent fee .

You would be surprized to see what plumbers actually make nowdays. This is Merica so the market sets the rates. If they are under paid it is not from lack of options.

[bakin7005]

Stand down.....

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Abbott-Issues-Executive-Order-to-Extend-State-Plumbing-Boards-Operation-511274131.html