Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill last month that dissolves the state’s century-old plumbing oversight board and shifts licensing authority to a contractors board. The decision has drawn criticism from industry groups concerned about weakened public health protections and an influx of under-trained workers.
House Bill 953, signed on June 12, eliminates the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana, which regulated plumbing standards since 1920. All oversight now moves to the State Contractors Board of Louisiana. Plumbing professionals argue the change prioritizes cost-cutting over safety.
Plumbers sound alarm over training rollbacks
The new law reduces required on-the-job training hours for apprentices from 8,000 to 2,500. Critics warn the reduction could lead to inexperienced plumbers handling complex systems like natural gas lines and water supply.
“This is a disaster for public health,” said Trey Giglio, vice president of Universal Mechanical in Shreveport and president of the Louisiana chapter of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCCLA). “In a state with an insurance premium problem, this will make it worse when unqualified people work with natural gas and water.”
The national PHCC called the bill the most damaging rollback of plumbing licensure standards in recent memory. Incoming CEO Dan Quinonez warned the changes could increase long-term costs for property owners, who may inherit faulty plumbing systems after developers leave.
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“Whatever money builders save will likely mean higher maintenance costs for commercial and residential owners,” Quinonez said. “After a project sells, developers’ obligations end. New owners would face sub-standard systems and failures months or years later.”
A seat at the table—but not control
The legislation includes some concessions. It establishes a Plumbing Sub-Committee under the contractors board, with 11 members: six plumbers (three each from the PHCCLA and Louisiana Pipe Trades), one general contractor, one from ABC Louis, and two at-large members. The subcommittee can propose rules, but the full contractors board must approve them.
Giglio dismissed the subcommittee as ineffective. “The Contractors Board has never issued an individual license,” he said. “They’ve only licensed companies. Now they control the exam process. It’s a power grab.”
Supporters, including bill sponsor State Representative Bryan Fontenot, say the measure addresses Louisiana’s shortage of licensed plumbers by simplifying the process.
Critics highlight what the bill omits. It doesn’t define apprenticeship, set training standards, or establish fees for renewals or applications. Lawmakers say these details will be addressed next session.
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Quinonez warned the changes could influence other states. “Insurance companies and data center developers demand reliability,” he said. “If they see Louisiana’s standards as weak, they may push back.”
The PHCCLA and its national counterpart plan to lobby state legislatures to prevent similar rollbacks. In Georgia, lawmakers recently rejected a proposal to weaken plumbing licensure, a decision Quinonez called a rare positive development in a trend of deregulation.
The contractors board hasn’t released a timeline for implementing the new rules. Opponents say harm may already be occurring. “It’s a short-sighted effort to save money,” Giglio said. “But consumers will pay the price.”
For those planning outdoor renovations, backyard party designs often require reliable plumbing to support features like outdoor kitchens or fire pits.
