News Leaks

Texas Journeymen in Good Standing are Now Eligible to Obtain the Equivalent, Both Natural Gas Fitter and Journeyman Plumbing Licenses in Louisiana, No Exam Required.

The State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) has completed an agreement with Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) that allows Journeymen Plumbers from Texas to register for a reciprocal natural gas fitter and journeyman plumbing license without an additional examination requirement.

The new reciprocal license policy will increase the availability of skilled, licensed plumbers and gas fitters on both sides of the 130-mile border that divides the two Gulf Coast neighbors. Reciprocal licensing, a long-requested licensure option in the plumbing community, has proven difficult for agencies to implement due to state-to-state variations in license requirements.

“This agreement gives us the opportunity to bring more of a workforce into Louisiana and is an attempt address labor shortages that all trades are facing. We are committed as Board to make continuous improvements that support our trade as a whole and we believe that this agreement is the right step in the right direction.” said SPBLA Chairman, Mr. Terry Smith.

“The plumbing skillset and licensing requirements in Louisiana are substantially equivalent to ours here in Texas.” said TSBPE Board Chair Frank S. Denton, “this agreement makes good sense for both states.”

Extreme weather events like Hurricane Ida and the deep freeze that hit Texas in early 2021 highlight the unique way in which both states will benefit from a streamlined out-of-state license registration and approval process. This arrangement is as much a message of support to working plumbers as it is a net positive for plumbing companies in either state who will now have more options when hiring a licensed plumber. Ultimately, the consumer stands to benefit most from the landmark deal; both agencies expect it to significantly increase the availability of trained plumbing professionals across the Gulf Coast and beyond.

Relevant Links: spbla.com – tsbpe.texas.gov

Act No. 655 of the Regular Session of the Legislature enacted R.S. 37:23.2 which requires licensing boards or commissions authorized to issue a license, permit or certification pursuant to provisions in Title 37 of the La. Revised Statutes to give notice that complaints about actions or procedures of the board or commission may be submitted to the board or commission or to the House and Senate governmental affairs committee . To submit a complaint regarding actions or procedures of the State Plumbing Board, please include your full legal name, address and contact number along with the complaint and send via email to ajones@spbla.com, fax: 225-756-3433 or USPS 11304 Cloverland Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

JUNE 1, 2014

In 1924, when the Department of Health and Hospitals developed codes to protect the people of Louisiana, the Louisiana Plumbing Law was enacted and the State Plumbing Board was created. The State Plumbing Board continues to fulfill our fiscal responsibilities as well as protect the health and welfare of the people of Louisiana initially doing so by moving forward to the enactment of the Louisiana Master Plumber Licensing Law in 1990.

DECEMBER 10, 2014

All forms on the website are NEW! Please make sure you have the new forms because old ones will not be accepted! Thank you!

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

State Plumbing Board Of Louisiana Goes GREEN!

We are joining the GREEN movement! Everywhere you look these days you see and hear people talking about going GREEN, well the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana is joining the effort.

Energy efficiency has not only environmental benefits but economic benefits as well. We have begun recycling newspaper, bottles, cans and anything around the office that can be recycled. We try to operate on natural light in the afternoon hours and all computers and office equipment are powered down every night. We have recently added to the new applications and renewal forms a space to provide an email address. This will greatly save on paper as we hope, in the future, to correspond more through email as the bank of email addresses grows.

As more companies go GREEN the option for email billing is offered and we take advantage of this whenever offered. When ordering office supplies and office equipment we try to order things made of recycled materials. And finally changing our office hours cuts down employee travel (reduces gas expenses and fuel emissions), reduces operating costs and improves employee productivity and satisfaction. The State Plumbing Board of Louisiana encourages you to do what you can to go GREEN!

JANUARY 20, 2015

Energy efficiency has not only environmental benefits but economic benefits as well. We have begun recycling newspaper, bottles, cans and anything around the office that can be recycled. We try to operate on natural light in the afternoon hours and all computers and office equipment are powered down every night. We have recently added to the new applications and renewal forms a space to provide an email address. This will greatly save on paper as we hope, in the future, to correspond more through email as the bank of email addresses grows. As more companies go GREEN the option for email billing is offered and we take advantage of this whenever offered. When ordering office supplies and office equipment we try to order things made of recycled materials. And finally changing our office hours cuts down employee travel (reduces gas expenses and fuel emissions), reduces operating costs and improves employee productivity and satisfaction. The State Plumbing Board of Louisiana encourages you to do what you can to go GREEN!