SB208 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Clyde Chambliss

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, transferred to new chapter, definitions revised, registration of a principal master for one entity at a time, continuing education and emergency certificates authorized, Secs. 34-37A-1 to 34-37A-19, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-37-1 to 34-37-18, inclusive, repealed

Summary

SB208 moves the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board into a new Chapter 37A, updates definitions, and adds continuing education and emergency certificate authorities while limiting principal master registrations to one entity at a time.

What This Bill Does

It repeals the old Chapter 37 and replaces it with Chapter 37A to transfer and modernize board operations; it reorganizes definitions and adds new terms like principal master plumber/gas fitter and apprentice; it requires registering legal entities and displaying the registered business name on vehicles; it authorizes continuing education for certificate renewal and emergency certificates during declared emergencies; it creates a dedicated fund and outlines surplus disposal to fund training tools, with transitional rules for existing licenses.

Who It Affects

• Licensed plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas pipe fitters, who would be regulated under the new chapter, with updated definitions and renewal requirements
• Businesses and other legal entities employing or contracting with plumbers or gas fitters, who must register with the board and designate a principal master plumber or principal master gas fitter (one per entity)
• Apprentices and journeyman/master plumbers and gas fitters, who have defined pathways for registration, testing, and advancement

Key Provisions

• Creation of Chapter 37A, Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, transferring and updating board regulations and repealing Chapter 37
• New definitions (e.g., apprentice, certificate of competency, certificate of registration, principal master plumber/gas fitter, master/journeyman statuses, medical gas piping)
• Principle: a certified master plumber or master gas fitter may register as principal master for only one entity at a time
• Board may require continuing education for certificate renewal and may issue emergency certificates during a declared state of emergency
• Registration of legal entities and display of the entity’s registered name on service/construction vehicles; registration of apprentices and examination requirements for journeyman and master certificates
• Examinations conducted by a board-approved independent testing agency; pathways for certification, endorsement, and reciprocity with other states
• Discipline authorities including revocation/suspension, hearings, fines, and restitution; enforcement provisions and record-keeping
• Establishment of a State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board Fund, with surplus funds transferred to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for training tools (and reversion to General Fund if status is lost)

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board