A.(1) The board shall adopt tests of qualification to be possessed by any persons actually engaged in the repair of existing plumbing in one- and two-family dwellings and see that any person engaged in the duties of a tradesman plumber shall possess a tradesman plumber limited license.

            (2) The board shall adopt tests of qualification to be possessed by any persons actually engaged in plumbing installation or plumbing work of any character, and see that any person engaged in the duties of a journeyman plumber shall possess a journeyman plumber’s license.

            B. The board shall adopt tests of qualification to be possessed by any persons actually engaged in the art and business of a master plumber, and shall require any person engaged in the duties of a master plumber to possess a master plumber’s license.

            C. The board shall recognize the system of qualification or registration of apprentices as administered by joint and nonjoint apprenticeship committees approved by the director of apprenticeship and nonregistered apprentices in the employ of an employing entity.

            D. The board shall have the power to make such reasonable regulations as it may deem desirable in the performance of its functions and enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter.

            E. The board shall meet at a minimum annually during the month of August at the time and place designated by the president of the board and the members and the advisory committee shall be so notified.

            F. No special meeting shall be called without notifying each board member and each member of the advisory committee in writing ten days in advance.

            G. The board shall adopt tests of qualifications to be possessed by any person engaged in the work of installing piping used solely to transport gases for medical purposes and require any such person engaged in such work to possess a license issued by the board.

            H. The board shall adopt tests of qualifications to be possessed by journeyman or master plumbers, licensed by the board, who seek an endorsement to their journeyman or master plumber license authorizing them to engage in the work or business of water supply protection specialists.

            I. The board may establish and determine by rule minimum requirements relative to continuing professional development for the renewal or reinstatement of any license or special endorsement issued by the board.

            J.(1) It is the duty of the board to assure that gas fitting work is performed by persons who have proven knowledge of and skill in the gas fitting trade.

            (2) The board shall adopt tests of qualifications to be possessed by any persons actually engaged in gas fitting work and shall require that any person performing work as a gas fitter or master gas fitter shall possess a license issued by the board.

            (3) The board shall adopt rules and regulations waiving any examination requirements imposed on persons performing gas fitting work who satisfy the performance conditions described in La. Rev. Stat. 37:2156.1(M) prior to July 1, 2016.

            (4) For all other purposes of regulation, testing, and licensing pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, the regulation, testing, and licensing of gas fitters by the board shall be subject to the same requirements and treated in the same manner as the regulation, testing, and licensing of plumbers.

            K. Not later than January 1, 2017, the board shall establish and maintain a registry of all apprentice plumbers employed in Louisiana and shall issue a certificate to all registrants.

            L. The board shall assist the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges in developing training, program, and course requirements that will prepare individuals to meet the qualifications established by the board for a tradesman plumber limited license.

            Acts 1964, No. 498, §1; Acts 1968, No. 298, §1; Acts 1990, No. 752, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 824, §1; Acts 1999, No. 956, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2016, No. 297, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2016, No. 515, §1; Acts 2023, No. 152, §1.