RE: $4,000 Fine for Employing Unregistered Individuals to Perform Plumbing
The TSBPE vigilantly pursues enforcement action, penalties, and sanctions for individuals that employ or subcontract to unregistered individuals. The penalty for employing or subcontracting to an unregistered or unlicensed individual is $4,000 per violation.
On December 3, 2025, the Board met and determined that the Enforcement Division would no longer settle cases for a reduced penalty that involve the employment of an individual engaging in plumbing requiring a license or registration.
It is the mission of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) to protect the health and safety of Texans by ensuring our drinking water, air, and medical gases are free from contaminants. That mission is accomplished by ensuring that individuals performing plumbing have earned licensure through testing competence and registered individuals are properly supervised to learn the trade.
Beginning January 1, 2026, all violations of this nature will be assessed the full $4,000.00 per violation penalty with no option of a reduced penalty in settlement.
