In a recent move by the Oklahoma Senate, legislation aimed at increasing the state's plumbing workforce has cleared a major hurdle. Senator David Bullard, a Republican from Durant, led the charge with Senate Bill 112, which paves a more accessible route for individuals pursuing a plumbing career, as reported by the Oklahoma State Senate.
The bill, which was given the green light on Monday, seeks to reduce the experience requirement for a "residential journeyman plumber" license to two years, a step down from the three-year requirement necessary to secure an "unlimited journeyman plumber" license. Despite the reduction in experience required, applicants would still need to meet other criteria, including the completion of continuing education hours, before becoming licensed, as per a statement obtained by the Oklahoma State Senate website.
The changes brought about by SB 112 also include alignment of Oklahoma's licensing requirements with those of other states, aiming to foster a smoother transition for plumbers moving to Oklahoma. The bill explicitly makes it easier for plumbers with out-of-state experience and military veterans to have their existing licenses recognized within Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma State Senate.
Addressing the pressing shortage of plumbers in the state, Senator Bullard said, "I am proud to work alongside Oklahoma plumbers to help them recruit more people into this important trade," not underestimating the potential impact of this legislative change. "Senate Bill 112 creates a streamlined path for contractors with journeyman plumbers who are ready to take their licensure test after just two years, allowing them to work in residential settings sooner," Bullard told the Oklahoma State Senate website. Additionally, license reciprocity for those with experience in the armed forces or other states has been expanded under the bill.
With the full Senate's approval, the passage of Senate Bill 112 signifies a proactive strategy to counter the skilled labor shortage in Oklahoma, encouraging capable individuals to join and strengthen the local plumbing industry. Senator Bullard looks forward to "continuing to work on innovative solutions to meet our state’s growing workforce needs," foreseeing positive results as seen with similar reforms in other skilled trades, as per the Oklahoma State Senate.
