Typically its just bringing us up to date on code changes wrt keeping endorsements current, best practices, which parts of IPC/UPC have ammendments, etc. very rarely do we get actual changes in methodology, like this last year when the ASTME changed up the approved procedure for soft soldering copper pipe, and silver bearing solder brazing. It eventually gets updated for all the up and comers when they test for practical exams.

No ‘practical’ stuff, nearly every bit of it is clerical.

Texas is sort of on its own when it comes to plumbing. We have the most stringent testing requirements in the US. Other states have modeled their tests and procedures to be more like ours. Some years back we had a scare, where the state was going to defund the current plumbing board, and roll us under the Dept of Licensing and Regulations purview, which would have rendered a statewide license null, basically every city/county/township would have its own licensing fiefdom. As is, i work in five or six towns/fishing villages around me, probably the same amount of different counties. Id have to hold between 5-10 licenses, and keep up with each locale’s various requirements to be current to work there. I like to keep up to date with this stuff since it directly affects my livelihood, and the only way to get the current info is from the instructor of the class i am in right now, because he’s a bigwig on the state plumbing board.

Has to be an ‘approved’ instructor. Im not sure what req’s are for being approved. Id have to do some looking into it. I heard late into my class last night that a fair bit of my CPE/endorsement class fees will be changing, for next year. Apparently a house bill in the Tx Legislature is giving us some good options. The plan is to allow all the endorsements (certain apprentice endorsements, my medgas, fire sprinkler certs and a couple others) xto evetually be renewed for free. Unfortunately now my medgas expires yearly, instead of every three years now, but the plan is to allow me to renew for free yearly instead of paid every three year. My yearly CPE medgas class will eventually become free, but the state board is still working out details. There are some options for allowing manufacturer reps to come in, and basically ‘train’ us on how to use new products, which will allow us to get our CPE reqs. I have some options now for taking CPR/First Aid certs which can count as CPE, once the house bill goes into effect.

Im required to have 48 hrs of CPE yearly. Since i live in the ass end of the state, away from most population centers we just have to pay someone to come here to give the classes currently. The state intends to open more testing/CPE locations, but again, still working out details.

Unfortunately im non union. We have union in the state but no local representation here. Where i am in the state is quite hostile to the word ‘union’. My last employer was a really small shop, i was one of three service plumbers, and the only one with a sprinkler endorsement and medgas endorsement and i got pretty much run out on a rail when i told the owner id get his shop unionized. I ended up walking not to long after i told him that.

My plan is to ride out the remainder of rhe slow season where i am, because i got a honey of a pay deal. Im hourly, with a daily pay minimum, plus comission on any job i sell over 2.5k. Thats not normal for where i am. I am friends still with the guy who got me into plumbing years ago who is now a code inspector, and he’s already put a bug in someones ear about hiring me on after work picks up in February. I dont wanna count my chickens yet, so im still pretending like ill be where i am come February. Its my understanding that that place bears the cost burden of paying for all my endorsements, classes etc, which is industry standard usually. Im just in a small town and shit tends to work different in backwaters like where i am. Hopefully on to bigger and better.

Edit - jesus christ that was a lot of rambling. Im really sorry abaout that.