Agency Mission
The fundamental mission of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is to help protect the health and safety of the citizens of the State of Texas by ensuring that our drinking water, air, and medical gases are free from contaminants so that we may live and work in the safe conditions that properly designed and installed plumbing systems are meant to provide. Our primary influence in fulfilling this mission is ensuring that individuals entrusted with a license issued by the Board and endowed with the inherent credibility it provides, are competent and exhibit the requisite fitness to perform plumbing work in this state.
Another cornerstone in fulling the Board’s mission is through community outreach and education, ensuring that the public is aware of the crucial role plumbing plays in guaranteeing sanitation and health, and the sometimes unheralded role of the licensed plumbing professionals who safeguard the public’s health. The Board steadfastly believes that an informed public will demand the reliability, accountability and sound judgment of a licensed plumbing professional, ensuring that plumbing services are only provided by such proven professionals, and not left to unqualified and sometimes unscrupulous individuals who might undermine the Board’s mission through unlicensed plumbing work. Community outreach and education also serves the dual purpose of promoting the plumbing profession as a rewarding career option; an important task after years of flat growth in the workforce while the population of Texas has been, and is expected to continue to grow.
The Board also takes seriously its statutory charge to investigate consumer complaints alleging threats to the public’s health and safety and to take enforcement and disciplinary action against persons who have violated the Plumbing License Law; thus preventing potentially dangerous unlicensed plumbing work and ensuring that licensed plumbers continue to exhibit fitness and uphold the high standards of licensure in the field. Through equitable and consistent regulation of the plumbing industry, and by examining, licensing and registering plumbing professionals, the Board ensures that qualified individuals following clear standards are able to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the State of Texas.
Examination
The TSBPE’s examination function ensures that all those who hold a plumbing license or endorsement have met or exceeded minimum standards of competency and have the knowledge and experience needed to perform plumbing work properly. Both the examinations developed by the agency and its Exam Center are currently recognized nationwide as setting some of the highest standards for the plumbing industry. Most notable are the practical \”shop\” components of the exams for the Tradesman Plumber-Limited License, Journeyman License, and Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement.
Licensing
The licensing function ensures that those working in the plumbing trade are staying current with changes in the plumbing codes, knowledgeable about technical advances in the industry, and improving their skill as plumbers through continuing education. The registration of Plumber\’s Apprentices is vital to the growth of the industry because it provides a clear career path for obtaining a license.
Enforcement
Proactive enforcement of the Plumbing License Law, rules adopted by the Board, and plumbing codes protects both consumers and the plumbing industry. Identifying and penalizing individuals and companies offering or performing plumbing services without the proper license reduces the risk posed to consumers by improperly installed plumbing. Penalizing business owners, licensees, and registrants who fail to abide by the laws, rules, and ordinances regulating plumbing keeps industry standards high.
Administration
Administrative functions like purchasing and payroll are necessary to support the agency\’s other key functions and keep the TSPBE operating effectively and efficiently.