The following words and terms, when used in this part, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) APA--The Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 2001 of the Texas Government Code.
(2) Adopted Plumbing Code--A plumbing code, including a fuel gas code adopted by the Board or a political subdivision, in compliance with §1301.255 and §1301.551 of the Plumbing License Law.
(3) Advisory Committee--A committee appointed by the presiding officer of the board created to assist the board in exercising its powers and duties.
(4) Appliance Connection--An appliance connection procedure using only a code-approved appliance connector that does not require cutting into or altering the existing plumbing system.
(5) Applicant--An individual seeking to obtain a license, registration or endorsement issued by the Board.
(6) Board--The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
(7) Board Member--An individual appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate to serve on the Board.
(8) Building Sewer--The part of the sanitary drainage system outside of the building, which extends from the end of the building drain to a public sewer, private sewer, private sewage disposal system, or other point of sewage disposal.
(9) Certificate of Insurance--A form submitted to the Board certifying that the Responsible Master Plumber carries insurance coverage as specified in the Plumbing License Law and Board Rules.
(10) Chief Examiner--An employee of the Board who, under the direction of the Executive Director, coordinates and supervises the activities of the Board examinations and registrations.
(11) Cleanout--A fitting, other than a p-trap, approved by the adopted plumbing code and designed to be installed in a sanitary drainage system to allow easy access for cleaning the sanitary drainage system.
(12) Code-Approved Appliance Connector--A semi-rigid or flexible assembly of tube and fittings approved by the adopted plumbing code and designed for connecting an appliance to the existing plumbing system without cutting into or altering the existing plumbing system.
(13) Code-Approved Existing Opening--For the purposes of drain cleaning activities described in §1301.002(3) of the Plumbing License Law, a code-approved existing opening is any existing cleanout fitting, inlet of any p-trap or fixture, or vent terminating into the atmosphere that has been approved and installed in accordance with the adopted plumbing code.
(14) Complaint--A written complaint filed with the Board against a person whose activities are subject to the jurisdiction of the Board.
(15) Contested Case--A proceeding in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a party are to be determined by the Board after an opportunity for adjudicative hearing.
(16) Continuing Professional Education or CPE--Approved courses/programs required for a licensee or registrant.
(17) Director of Enforcement--An employee of the Board who meets the definition of "Field Representative" and, under the direction of the Executive Director, coordinates and supervises the activities of the Field Representatives.
(18) Direct Supervision--
(19) Endorsement--A certification issued by the Board as an addition to a Master Plumber, Plumbing Inspector, or Journeyman Plumber License or a Plumber's Apprentice Registration, including a Drain Cleaner Registration, a Drain Cleaner-Restricted Registration, and a Residential Utilities Installer Registration.
(20) Executive Director--The executive director of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners who is employed by the Board as the executive head of the agency.
(21) Field Representative--An employee of the Board who is:
(22) Journeyman Plumber--An individual licensed under the Plumbing License Law who has met the qualifications for registration as a Plumber's Apprentice or for licensure as a Tradesman Plumber-Limited, who has completed at least 8,000 hours working under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber, who supervises, engages in, or works at the actual installation, alteration, repair, service and renovating of plumbing, and who has successfully fulfilled the examinations and requirements of the Board.
(23) License--A license, registration, certification, or endorsement issued by the Board.
(24) Licensing and Registering--The process of granting, denying, renewing, reinstating, revoking, or suspending a license, registration or endorsement.
(25) Maintenance Man or Maintenance Engineer--An individual who:
(26) Master Plumber--An individual licensed under the Plumbing License Law who is skilled in the design, planning, superintending, and the practical installation, repair, and service of plumbing, who is knowledgeable about the codes, ordinances, or rules and regulations governing those matters, who alone, or through an individual or individuals under his supervision, performs plumbing work, and who has successfully fulfilled the examinations and requirements of the Board.
(27) Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement--
(28) Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement--
(29) Military service member--A person who is currently serving in the armed forces of the United States, in a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard, or in the state military service of any state.
(30) Military spouse--A person who is married to a military service member who is currently on active duty.
(31) Military veteran--A person who has served in the army, navy, air force, marine corps, or coast guard of the United States, or in an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces.
(32) One-Family Dwelling--A detached structure designed for the residence of a single family that does not have the characteristics of a multiple family dwelling, and is not primarily designed for transient guests or for providing services for rehabilitative, medical, or assisted living in connection with the occupancy of the structure.
(33) Party--A person or state agency named or admitted as a party to a contested case.
(34) Paid Directly--As related to §1301.255(e) of the Plumbing License Law, "paid" and "directly" have the common meanings and "paid directly" means that compensation for plumbing inspections must be paid by the political subdivision to the individual Licensed Plumbing Inspector who performed the plumbing inspections or the plumbing inspection business which utilized the plumbing inspector to perform the inspections.
(35) Person--An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, governmental subdivision or public or private organization of any character other than an agency.
(36) Petitioner--A person requesting the Board to adopt, amend or repeal a rule pursuant to §2001.021 of the Texas Government Code and the Board Rules.
(37) Plumbing--
(38) Plumbing Company--A person who engages in the plumbing business.
(39) Plumbing Inspection--Any of the inspections required in the Plumbing License Law, including any check of multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler systems, pipes, faucets, tanks, valves, water heaters, plumbing fixtures and appliances by and through which a supply of water, gas, medical gasses or vacuum, or sewage is used or carried that is performed on behalf of any political subdivision, public water supply, municipal utility district, town, city or municipality to ensure compliance with the adopted plumbing and gas codes and ordinances Cont'd...