WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Pursuant to House Bill 636, all applicants and licensees are now required to submit a copy of their fingerprints so that the TSBPE can conduct a criminal history check. That means all Plumbers Apprentices, Plumbers and Plumbing inspectors in the state of Texas, regardless of registration or license type, are required to have their fingerprints on file with the TSBPE.
WHO DOES THIS AFFECT?
All registered, licensed, or soon-to-be licensed Plumbers Apprentices, Plumbers and Plumbing Inspectors in the State of Texas. The fingerprint requirement applies to all exam applicants as well. If you are planning on applying for an exam and have not yet had your fingerprints taken, you must follow the instructions listed below in “How Should You Do It?” when submitting your exam application. Otherwise, your application will not be processed.
WHAT ABOUT REINSTATEMENTS?
Reinstate candidates must also submit their fingerprints. Requests for reinstatement of any previously issued license or registration type require the applicant to obtain fingerprints before the application will be processed.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Get ahead of the curve. The fingerprint requirement will become a deficiency that will prevent you from obtaining an apprentice registration, renewing your plumbing license or apprentice registration, and applying for examinations and endorsements. If you have not had your fingerprints scanned and submitted to the TSBPE, schedule your appointment today.
HOW SHOULD YOU DO IT?
The TSBPE has made a handy-dandy instruction sheet with all the info you need to get this done. Print it out, email it to your fleet; do whatever you need to do to help yourself or the plumbers and apprentices you work with satisfy this one-time obligation.
BUT WHAT IF YOU’VE ALREADY SUBMITTED YOUR FINGERPRINT DATA TO ANOTHER STATE AGENCY?
In order to protect your privacy, state agencies are prohibited from sharing fingerprint data. The TSBPE does not establish these laws but is compelled to develop procedures and rules to implement them. We appreciate your cooperation as we all work to comply with these legislatively-mandated fingerprinting requirements.
IS THERE AN EASIER WAY TO CHECK YOUR FINGERPRINT STATUS?
Yes! You can check to see whether or not the TSBPE has fingerprints on file for any registrant or licensee using Public License Search. Not sure how to use the Public License Search? Check out our How-To Guide here.