(a) To be eligible for a Journeyman Plumber License an applicant must have completed forty-eight (48) hours of classroom training provided by an approved instructor in an approved training program meeting the requirements of subsections (f) and (g) of this section.
(b) In addition to the requirements in subsection (a) of this section, an applicant must:
(1) have at least 8,000 hours of experience working at the trade under the supervision of a RMP or a Master Plumber licensed in another state; and
(2) hold one of the following:
(A) a current Plumber's Apprentice Registration;
(B) a current Tradesman Plumber-Limited License; or
(C) a current Journeyman Plumber License issued in another state.
(c) Upon written request by the applicant, the Board may credit an applicant with up to 1,000 hours of the work experience required to take the Journeyman Plumber examination if the applicant has completed the classroom portion of a training program that is:
(1) approved by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or
(2) provided by an approved person and based on approved course materials.
(d) A registered Plumber's Apprentice may apply for and take the Journeyman Plumber examination if the apprentice has received an associate of applied science degree from a plumbing technology program that:
(1) includes a combination of classroom and on-the-job training; and
(2) is approved by the Board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(e) An applicant is exempt from the training required if the applicant:
(1) has completed the classroom portion of a training program provided by an approved person and based on approved course materials;
(2) is a Plumber's Apprentice who is enrolled in good standing in a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or
(3) holds a current Journeyman Plumber License issued in another state.
(f) The training program required shall include:
(1) two (2) six-hour Continuing Professional Education (CPE) classes as required by Board Rules; and
(2) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Outreach Training class on Construction Industry Procedures, including:
(A) Introduction to OSHA;
(B) OSHA Focus on Four Hazards-fall protection, electrical, caught in between, and struck by;
(C) Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment;
(D) Health Hazards in Construction, including hazard communication and silica;
(E) Tools, including hand tools and power tools;
(F) Excavations;
(G) Stairways and Ladders;
(H) Hazardous Materials; and
(I) Introduction to Industrial Hygiene and Blood Borne Pathogens.
(g) In addition to the classes described in subsection (f) of this section, the training required shall include:
(1) eight (8) hours of classroom training, as follows:
(A) two (2) hours, to include:
(i) reading and understanding residential construction drawings;
(ii) learning the basics of math for plumbing; and
(iii) drawing rough in and riser diagrams;
(B) one (1) hour to review the International Residential Code chapter on Fuel Gas, including:
(i) definitions;
(ii) pipe sizing and layout; and
(iii) testing and inspections;
(C) one (1) hour to review the International Residential Code chapter on General Plumbing Requirements, including:
(i) individual water supply and sewage disposal;
(ii) structural and piping protection, including notching and boring;
(iii) trenching and backfilling;
(iv) workmanship and waterproofing penetrations; and
(v) listed, labeled, and approved materials;
(D) one (1) hour to review the International Residential Code chapters on Plumbing Fixtures and Water Heaters, including:
(i) the installation of plumbing fixtures and accessories;
(ii) water heater installation and replacement, including hazards of improper installations; and
(iii) water heater safety devices and alternative methods of existing installations not to code;
(E) one (1) hour to review the International Residential Code chapter on Water Supply and Distribution, including:
(i) understanding and principals of backflow protection for potable water systems;
(ii) water supply systems, including thermal expansion control and water hammer arrestors;
(iii) water conservation and maximum flow for plumbing fixtures;
(iv) sizing and pressures of potable water systems from the meter throughout distribution to fixture connections;
(v) materials and installation of potable water piping;
(vi) demonstration of soldering and brazing according to B-828 standards;
(vii) hangers, anchors, and supports; and
(viii) drinking water treatment units;
(F) one (1) hour to review the International Residential Code chapters on Sanitary Drainage and Vents, including:
(i) materials and installation of drainage systems, including proper grade and changes in direction of fittings;
(ii) preparation of piping;
(iii) standards for solvent cementing of pipe and fittings;
(iv) cast iron piping and fittings;
(v) location and installation of cleanouts;
(vi) sumps and ejectors sizing and installation;
(vii) understanding the principals and physics of proper venting;
(viii) installation of different types of venting systems; and
(ix) improper connections and prohibited venting applications;
(G) one (1) hour to review the International Residential Code chapter on Traps, including:
(i) design and prohibited traps;
(ii) sizing and installation of traps and trap arms; and
(iii) trap protection; and
(2) eighteen (18) hours of classroom training in certain chapters of the Uniform Plumbing Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Fuel Gas Code (as appropriate); the Texas Accessibility Standards, the Americans with Disabilities Act; and water conservation, as follows:
(A) one (1) hour to review the chapters on General Regulations;
(B) one (1) hour to review the chapters on Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings, including:
(i) general requirements and water conservation information for plumbing fixtures;
(ii) commercial plumbing fixtures; and
(iii) location and installation requirements for fixtures and fixture fittings;
(C) two (2) hours to review the chapters on Water Heaters, including:
(i) general regulations for water heater installation and replacement, including hazards of improper installations;
(ii) safety requirements for commercial water heaters;
(iii) different types of water heaters available, including installations; and
(iv) safety devices and alternative methods to bring existing installations into compliance with plumbing codes;
(D) two (2) hours to review the chapters on Water Supply and Distribution, including:
(i) installation of potable water systems; and
(ii) pipe sizing for water supply and distribution;
(E) two (2) hours to review the chapters on Sanitary Drainage, including:
(i) understanding commercial plumbing; and
(ii) pipe sizing for sanitary waste;
(F) one (1) hour to review the chapters on Indirect Wastes, including:
(i) applications accepted for indirect waste systems, both air-gap and air-break; and
(ii) understanding the reason for indirect waste systems;
(G) two (2) hours to review the chapters on Vents, including:
(i) physics and importance of proper venting;
(ii) different venting methods, including vent termination;
(iii) special venting for island fixtures, and combination waste and vent systems; and
Cont'd...
(iv) pipe sizing of vents;
(H) one (1) hour to review the chapters on Traps and Interceptors, including:
(i) physics and importance of trap protection;
(ii) grease interceptor design, installation and maintenance according to the Plumbing Drainage Institute; and
(iii) different types of interceptors and applications according to code;
(I) one (1) hour to review the chapters on Storm Drainage, including:
(i) basic design, materials, and installation of storm water systems;
(ii) hazards of improper installations; and
(iii) testing procedures for storm drainage systems;
(J) two (2) hours to review the chapters on Fuel Gas Piping, including:
(i) hazards of improperly designed or installed fuel gas piping and appliances;
(ii) approved materials and methods, including pipe and fittings; and
(iii) combustion air requirements;
(K) one (1) hour to review the basic installation of handicapped plumbing fixtures for commercial projects, as required by the Texas Accessibility Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
(L) two (2) hours to review new technology that promotes water and energy conservation, including rain water harvesting, solar energy, and water smart applications.
Source Note: The provisions of this §363.5 adopted to be effective September 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 3771; amended to be effective June 9, 2019, 44 TexReg 2715; amended to be effective February 16, 2023, 48 TexReg 682