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 Link: spbla.com tsbpe.texas.gov