The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 421 Original 2016 Regular Session Thompson
Present law provides relative to the qualifications, training requirements, and licensure of plumbers.
Further provides for three classifications of plumbers: (1) apprentice plumber; (2) journeyman
plumber; and (3) master plumber.
Proposed law retains present law and creates a new licensure category for plumbers between the
apprentice and journeyman levels - the tradesman plumber limited license - and requires the State
Plumbing Board to adopt tests of qualifications for tradesman plumbers. Further provides that a
tradesman plumber may only repair existing plumbing systems in one- and two-family dwellings.
Proposed law defines "tradesman plumber" as a natural person who possesses the necessary
qualifications and knowledge to repair existing plumbing systems and is licensed by the board to
repair existing plumbing systems in one- and two-family dwellings at the direction of a master
plumber, without the supervision of a journeyman plumber.
Proposed law requires the State Plumbing Board, not later than January 1, 2017, to create and
maintain a registry of all apprentice plumbers employed in the state. Further provides that the board
shall issue a certificate to all registrants.
Proposed law provides that the State Plumbing Board shall issue a tradesman plumber limited license
to any person who meets the following qualifications:
(1)Has a current apprentice registration certificate issued by the board.
(2)Has worked at least four thousand hours at the manual labor of plumbing under the direct,
constant, on-the-job supervision of a journeyman or master plumber licensed by the board.
(3)Has successfully completed any educational requirements established by the board.
(4)Passes any written or manual examination required by the board.
(5)Pays the fees established by the board.
Proposed law requires the State Plumbing Board to assist the Bd. of Supervisors of Community and
Technical Colleges in developing training, program and course requirements that will prepare
individuals to meet the qualifications established by the board for a tradesman plumber limited
license.
Present law creates the state plumbing board to consist of eight members as follows: (1)One registered engineer.
(2)One plumbing inspector.
(3)Three master plumbers.
(4)Three journeyman plumbers.
Proposed law retains present law and adds one tradesman plumber to the board's membership to
increase the membership of the board from eight to nine members..
Present law authorizes the plumbing board to fix and charge reasonable examination, licensing, and
renewal fees for journeyman and master plumbers.
Proposed law retains present law and further authorizes the plumbing board to establish such fees
for tradesman plumbers and to establish a reasonable registration fee for apprentice plumbers.
Effective August 1, 2016.
(Amends R.S. 37:1361(B) and (E), 1366(A), 1367(A), 1368(A), 1371(A), 1373(A), 1377(B), and
1378(A)(3),(6), and (8); adds R.S. 37:1366(J) and (K))