22 Tex. Admin. Code § 361.1 – Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this part, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Act--The Plumbing License Law, Title 8, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, as amended.
(2) Administrative Act--The Administrative Procedure Act, the Texas Government Code, §2001.001, et seq, as amended.
(3) Administrator--The Board-appointed executive director of all Board staff.
(4) Adopted Plumbing Code--A plumbing code, including a fuel gas code adopted by the Board or a political subdivision, including any city, town, village, municipality, public water system, municipal utility district, in compliance with §1301.255 and §1301.551 of the Plumbing License Law.
(5) Advisory Committee--A Board appointed committee subject to §1301.258 of the Plumbing License Law, §361.12 of the Board Rules and Chapter 2110 of the Texas Government Code, of which the primary function is to advise the Board.
(6) Appliance Connection--An appliance connection procedure using only a code approved appliance connector that does not require cutting into or altering the existing plumbing system.
(7) Applicant--An individual seeking to obtain a License, Registration or Endorsement.
(8) Board--The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
(9) Board Member--An individual appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate to serve on the Board.
(10) Building Sewer--The part of the sanitary drainage system outside of the building, which extends from the end of the building drain to a public sewer, private sewer, private sewage disposal system, or other point of sewage disposal.
(11) Certificate of Insurance--A form submitted to the Board certifying that the Responsible Master Plumber carries insurance coverage as specified in §1301.522 of the Plumbing License Law and §367.3 of the Board Rules.
(12) Chief Examiner--An employee of the Board who, under the direction of the Administrator, coordinates and supervises the activities of the Board examinations and registrations.
(13) Chief Field Representative--The Director of Enforcement who is an employee of the Board who meets the definition of "Field Representative" and, under the direction of the Executive Director, coordinates and supervises the activities of the Field Representatives.
(14) Cleanout--A fitting, other than a p-trap, approved by the adopted plumbing code and designed to be installed in a sanitary drainage system to allow easy access for cleaning the sanitary drainage system.
(15) Code-Approved Appliance Connector--A semi-rigid or flexible assembly of tube and fittings approved by the adopted plumbing code and designed for connecting an appliance to the existing plumbing system without cutting into or altering the existing plumbing system.
(16) Code Approved Existing Opening--For the purposes of drain cleaning activities described in §1301.002(3) of the Plumbing License Law, a code approved existing opening is any existing cleanout fitting, inlet of any p-trap or fixture, or vent terminating into the atmosphere that has been approved and installed in accordance with the adopted plumbing code.
(17) Complaint--A written charge alleging a violation of state law, Board rules or orders, local codes or ordinances, or standards of competency; or the presence of fraud, false information, or error in the attempt to obtain a License, Registration or Endorsement.
(18) Contested Case--A proceeding, including but not limited to rulemaking, licensing and registering, in which the agency determines the legal right, duties, and privileges of a party after allowing an opportunity for adjudicative hearing of the case.
(19) Continuing Professional Education--Board-approved courses/programs required for a licensee or registrant with an endorsement to renew his or her License, Registration and/or Endorsement.
(20) Direct Supervision--
1. (A) The on-the-job oversight and direction of a Registered Plumber's Apprentice performing plumbing work by a licensed plumber who is fulfilling his or her responsibility to the client and employer by ensuring the following:
  1. (i) that the plumbing materials for the job are properly prepared prior to assembly according to the material manufacturers recommendations and the requirements of the adopted plumbing code; and
  2. (ii) that the plumbing work for the job is properly installed to protect health and safety by meeting the requirements of the adopted plumbing code and all requirements of local and state ordinances, regulations and laws.
2. (B) The on-the-job oversight and direction by a licensed Plumbing Inspector of an individual training to qualify for the Plumbing Inspector Examination.
3. (C) For plumbing work performed only in the construction of a new one-family or two-family dwelling in an unincorporated area of the state, a Responsible Master Plumber is not required to provide for the continuous or uninterrupted on-the-job oversight of a Registered Plumber's Apprentice's work by a licensed plumber, however, the Responsible Master Plumber must:
  1. (i) provide for the training and management of the Registered Plumber's Apprentice by a licensed plumber;
  2. (ii) provide for the review and inspection of the Registered Plumber's Apprentice's work by a licensed plumber to ensure compliance with subparagraph (A)(i) and (ii) of this paragraph; and
  3. (iii) upon request by the Board, provide the name and plumber's license number of the licensed plumber who is providing on-the-job training and management of the Registered Plumber's Apprentice and who is reviewing and inspecting the Registered Plumber's Apprentice's work on the job, or the name and plumber's license number of the licensed plumber who trained and managed the Registered Plumber's Apprentice and who reviewed and inspected the Registered Plumber's Apprentice's work on a job.
(21) Drain Cleaner--An individual who has completed at least 4,000 hours working under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber as a registered Drain Cleaner-Restricted Registrant, who has fulfilled the requirements of and is registered with the Board, and who installs cleanouts and removes and resets p-traps to eliminate obstructions in building drains and sewers.
(22) Drain Cleaner-Restricted Registrant--An individual who has worked as a registered Plumber's Apprentice under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber, who has fulfilled the requirements of and is registered with the Board, and who clears obstructions in sewer and drain lines through any code-approved existing opening.
(23) Endorsement--A certification issued by the Board in addition to the Master, Plumbing Inspector, or Journeyman Plumber License.
(24) Field Representative--For the purposes of the Board Rules:
1. (A) "Field Representative" means an employee of the Board who is:
  1. (i) knowledgeable of this Act and of municipal ordinances relating to plumbing;
  2. (ii) qualified by experience and training in good plumbing practice and compliance with this Act;
  3. (iii) designated by the Board to assist in the enforcement of this Act and rules adopted under this Act; and
  4. (iv) licensed by the Board as a plumber.
2. (B) A field representative may:
  1. (i) make on-site license and registration checks to determine compliance with this Act;
  2. (ii) investigate consumer complaints filed under §1301.303 of the Plumbing License Law;
  3. (iii) assist municipal plumbing inspectors in cooperative enforcement of this Act; and
  4. (iv) issue citations as provided by §1301.502 of the Plumbing License Law.
(25) Journeyman Plumber--An individual licensed under this Act who has met the qualifications for registration as a Plumber's Apprentice or for licensure as a Tradesman Plumber-Limited Licensee, who has completed at least 8,000 hours working under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber, who supervises, engages in, or works at the actual installation, alteration, repair, service and renovating of plumbing, and who has successfully fulfilled the examinations and requirements of the Board.
(26) License--A document issued by the Board to certify that the named individual fulfilled the requirements of the Act and of the Board Rules to hold a license issued by the Board.
(27) Licensing and Registering--The process of granting, denying, renewing, revoking, or suspending a License, Registration or Endorsement.
(28) Maintenance Man or Maintenance Engineer--An employee, as opposed to an independent contractor, who performs plumbing maintenance work incidental to and in connection with other duties. "Incidental to and in connection with" includes the repair, maintenance and replacement of existing potable water piping, existing sanitary waste and vent piping, existing plumbing fixtures and existing water heaters. "Incidental to and in connection with" does not include cutting into fuel gas plumbing systems and the installation of gas fueled water heaters. An individual who erects, builds, or installs plumbing not already in existence may not be classified as a maintenance man or maintenance engineer. Plumbing work performed by a maintenance man or maintenance engineer is not exempt from state law and municipal rules and ordinances regarding plumbing codes, plumbing permits and plumbing inspections. Such maintenance individuals shall not engage in plumbing work for the general public.
(29) Master Plumber--An individual licensed under this Act who is skilled in the design, planning, superintending, and the practical installation, repair, and service of plumbing, who is knowledgeable about the codes, ordinances, or rules and regulations governing those matters, who alone, or through an individual or individuals under his supervision, performs plumbing work, and who has successfully fulfilled the examinations and requirements of the Board.
(30) Medical Gas Piping Endorsement--
1. (A) A document entitling the holder of a Master or Journeyman Plumber License to install piping that is used solely to transport gases used for medical purposes including, but not limited to oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, nitrogen, medical vacuum.
2. (B) A document entitling the holder of a Plumbing Inspector License to inspect medical gas and vacuum system installations.
(31) Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement--
1. (A) A document entitling the holder of a Master or Journeyman Plumber License to install a multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler system in a one or two family dwelling.
2. (B) A document entitling the holder of a Plumbing Inspector License to inspect a multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler system.
(32) One Family Dwelling--A detached structure designed for the residence of a single family that does not have the characteristics of a multiple family dwelling, and is not primarily designed for transient guests or for providing services for rehabilitative, medical, or assisted living in connection with the occupancy of the structure.
(33) Party--Each person named or admitted in association with an action as a party.
(34) Paid Directly--As related to §1301.255(e) of the Plumbing License Law, "paid" and "directly" have the common meanings and "paid directly" means that compensation for plumbing inspections must be paid by the political subdivision to the individual Licensed Plumbing Inspector who performed the plumbing inspections or the plumbing inspection business which utilized the plumbing inspector to perform the inspections.
(35) Person--For the purposes of the Board Rules only, a person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, governmental subdivision or public or private organization of any character other than an agency.
(36) Petitioner--A person asking the Board to adopt a rule.
(37) Plumber's Apprentice--Any individual other than a Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, or Tradesman Plumber-Limited Licensee who, as his or her principal occupation, is engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of plumbing, is registered by the Board, and works under the supervision of a licensed Responsible Master Plumber and the direct supervision of a licensed plumber.
(38) Plumbing--All piping, fixtures, appurtenances, and appliances, including disposal systems, drain or waste pipes, multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler systems or any combination of these that: supply, distribute, circulate, recirculate, drain, or eliminate water, gas, medical gasses and vacuum, liquids, and sewage for all personal or domestic purposes in and about buildings where persons live, work, or assemble; connect the building on its outside with the source of water, gas, or other liquid supply, or combinations of these, on the premises, or the water main on public property; and carry waste water or sewage from or within a building to the sewer service lateral on public property or the disposal or septic terminal that holds private or domestic sewage. The installation, repair, service, maintenance, alteration, or renovation of all piping, fixtures, appurtenances, and appliances on premises where persons live, work, or assemble that supply gas, medical gasses and vacuum, water, liquids, or any combination of these, or dispose of waste water or sewage.
(39) Plumbing Company--A person, as defined in the Board Rules, who engages in the plumbing business.
(40) Plumbing Inspection--Any of the inspections required in §1301.255 and §1301.551 of the Plumbing License Law, including any check of multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler systems, pipes, faucets, tanks, valves, water heaters, plumbing fixtures and appliances by and through which a supply of water, gas, medical gasses or vacuum, or sewage is used or carried that is performed on behalf of any political subdivision, public water supply, municipal utility district, town, city or municipality to ensure compliance with the adopted plumbing and gas codes and ordinances regulating plumbing.
(41) Plumbing Inspector--Any individual who is employed by a political subdivision or state agency, or who contracts as an independent contractor with a political subdivision or state agency, for the purpose of inspecting plumbing work and installations in connection with health and safety laws, ordinances, and plumbing and gas codes, who has no financial or advisory interests in any plumbing company, and who has successfully fulfilled the examinations and requirements of the Board.
(42) Pocket Card--A card issued by the Board which certifies that the holder has a Master Plumber License, Journeyman Plumber License, Tradesman Plumber-Limited License, Plumbing Inspector License, Residential Utilities Installer Registration, Drain Cleaner Registration, Drain Cleaner-Restricted Registration or a Plumber's Apprentice Registration.
(43) Political Subdivision--A political subdivision of the State of Texas that includes a:
1. (A) city;
2. (B) county;
3. (C) school district;
4. (D) junior college district;
5. (E) municipal utility district;
6. (F) levee improvement district;
7. (G) drainage district;
8. (H) irrigation district;
9. (I) water improvement district;
10. (J) water control improvement district;
11. (K) water control preservation district;
12. (L) freshwater supply district;
13. (M) navigation district;
14. (N) conservation and reclamation district;
15. (O) soil conservation district;
16. (P) communication district;
17. (Q) public health district;
18. (R) river authority; and
19. (S) any other governmental entity that:
  1. (i) embraces a geographical area with a defined boundary;
  2. (ii) exists for the purpose of discharging functions of government; and
  3. (iii) possesses authority for subordinate self government through officers selected by it.
(44) P-Trap--A fitting connected to the sanitary drainage system for the purpose of preventing the escape of sewer gasses from the sanitary drainage system and designed to be removed to allow for cleaning of the sanitary drainage system. For the purposes of drain cleaning activities described in §1301.002(2) of the Plumbing License Law, a p-trap includes any integral trap of a water closet, bidet, or urinal.
(45) Public Water System--A system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances. Such a system must have at least 15 service connections or serve at least 25 individuals at least 60 days out of the year. Two or more systems with each having a potential to serve less than 15 connections or less than 25 individuals, but owned by the same person, firm, or corporation and located on adjacent land will be considered a public water system when the total potential service connections in the combined systems are 15 or greater or if the total number of individuals served by the combined systems total 25 or greater, at least 60 days out of the year. Without excluding other meanings of the terms "individual" or "served," an individual shall be deemed to be served by a water system if the individual lives in, uses as the individual's place of employment, or works in a place to which drinking water is supplied from the water system.
(46) Regularly Employed--Steadily, uniformly, or habitually working in an employer-employee relationship with a view of earning a livelihood, as opposed to working casually or occasionally.
(47) Residential Utilities Installer--An individual who has completed at least 2,000 hours working under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber as a registered Plumber's Apprentice, who has fulfilled the requirements of and is registered with the Board, and who constructs and installs yard water service piping for one family or two family dwellings and building sewers.
(48) Respondent--A person charged in a complaint filed with the Board.
(49) Responsible Master Plumber--A person licensed as a Master Plumber who:
1. (A) allows the person's Master Plumber license to be used by only one plumbing company for the purpose of offering and performing plumbing work under the person's Master Plumber license;
2. (B) is authorized to obtain permits for plumbing work; assumes responsibility for plumbing work performed under the person's license;
3. (C) has submitted a certificate of insurance as required by §1301.3576 of the Plumbing License Law and §367.3 of the Board Rules; and
4. (D) has completed and submitted a certificate of completion of a training program as required by §1301.3576 of the Plumbing License Law and §363.13 of the Board Rules.
(50) Rule--An agency statement of general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy, or describes the procedure or practice requirements of the agency. The term includes the amendment or repeal of a prior rule but does not include statements concerning only the internal management or organization of the agency and not affecting private rights or procedures.
(51) Supervision--The general on-the-job or off-the-job oversight, direction and management of plumbing work and individuals performing plumbing work by a Responsible Master Plumber who is fulfilling his or her responsibility to the client and employer by ensuring the following:
1. (A) that the operations of the plumbing company that has secured his or her services meets the requirements of all applicable local and state ordinances, regulations and laws; and
2. (B) that the plumbing work performed under his or her License will protect health and safety by meeting the requirements of the adopted plumbing code and all requirements of local and state ordinances, regulations and laws.
(52) System--An interconnection between one or more public or private end users of water, gas, sewer, or disposal systems that could endanger public health if improperly installed.
(53) Tradesman Plumber-Limited Licensee--An individual who has completed at least 4,000 hours working under the direct supervision of a Journeyman or Master Plumber as a registered Plumber's Apprentice, who has passed the required examination and fulfilled the other requirements of the Board, who constructs and installs plumbing for one family or two family dwellings under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber, and who has not met or attempted to meet the qualifications for a Journeyman Plumber License.
(54) Two Family Dwelling--A detached structure with separate means of egress designed for the residence of two families ("duplex") that does not have the characteristics of a multiple family dwelling and is not primarily designed for transient guests or for providing services for rehabilitative, medical, or assisted living in connection with the occupancy of the structure.
(55) Water Supply Protection Specialist--A Master or Journeyman Plumber who holds the Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement issued by the Board.
(56) Water Treatment--A business conducted under contract that requires experience in the analysis of water, including the ability to determine how to treat influent and effluent water, to alter or purify water, and to add or remove a mineral, chemical, or bacterial content or substance. The term also includes the installation and service of potable water treatment equipment in public or private water systems and making connections necessary to complete installation of a water treatment system.
(57) Work as a Master Plumber--To act as and assume the responsibilities of a Responsible Master Plumber, as defined in this section.
(58) Yard Water Service Piping--The building supply piping carrying potable water from the water meter or other source of water supply to the point of connection to the water distribution system at the building.

Source Note:The provisions of this §361.1 adopted to be effective May 18, 1982, 7 TexReg 1748; amended to be effective August 25, 1993, 18 TexReg 5399; amended to be effective December 8, 1993, 18 TexReg 8785; amended to be effective April 15, 1994, 19 TexReg 2279; amended to be effective August 8, 1994, 19 TexReg 5709; amended to be effective June 7, 1996, 21 TexReg 4686; amended to be effective February 27, 1997, 22 TexReg 1807; amended to be effective April 9, 1998, 23 TexReg 3445; amended to be effective June 1, 1999, 24 TexReg 4008; amended to be effective August 3, 2000, 25 TexReg 7176 ; amended to be effective December 30, 2001, 26 TexReg 10574; amended to be effectiveFebruary 12, 2004, 29 TexReg 1199; amended to be effective August 11, 2004, 29 TexReg 7700; amended to be effective October 30, 2007, 32 TexReg 7687; amended to be effective February 3, 2011, 36 TexReg 420; amended to be effective February 6, 2012, 37 TexReg 485; amended to be effective February 14, 2013, 38 TexReg 640.