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A message from the PHCC-Texas December Newsletter
Virtual Supervision Amendment to Texas Administrative Code 361.1(18)
On December 11, 2024, the Board of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners passed an amendment allowing for remote virtual supervision of apprentices. The definition of direct supervision was expanded to include remote, virtual audio-visual, real-time communication for the repair and replacement of existing fixtures, not involving gas appliances, on one-to-two-family dwellings performed only by licensees and registrants with 4,000 hours of experience who hold Residential Utility Installer and Drain Cleaner registrations.
PHCC is opposed to this amendment and spoke against it for the last year that it has been under consideration by the Board of TSBPE.
It is important to remember that this is not a requirement and is something that each contractor should consider carefully before implementing.
First, the apprentice, while on the customer site, is working under the Master Plumber’s license, and any issues that arise will be a problem for the company and the Master Plumber, not the apprentice doing the work. Having a Master Plumber on site working with the apprentice ensures there are no issues and allows the apprentice to learn on the job.
It is also possible that issues resulting in poor work at a home and resulting in insurance claims will also lead to an increase in insurance costs, not just for that company but across all companies.
We value the reputation of licensed plumbers and want to make sure that homeowners continue to have the comfort of knowing their work is being done by qualified, licensed plumbers. Please consider that when deciding who to send to a job site. PHCC and TSBPE have long promoted the importance of hiring qualified professionals to perform plumbing work, and we all understand and respect the work that goes into obtaining a plumbing license. We want to continue to present that same level of craftsmanship and therefore strongly encourage everyone to assign work to the appropriately licensed plumbing professionals in your shops.
As well, at 4,000 hours, an apprentice can test to become a Tradesman, and we strongly encourage pushing our new plumbers to obtain their licenses and continue to level up as they work through their careers. Plumbers protect the health of our nation, and there is value in the license and the work you do. While the Board of TSBPE can allow this amendment to pass, we, as an industry, can say NO!
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