Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Bullard Bill to Grow Plumbing Workforce

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Senate Business and Insurance Committee on Thursday unanimously advanced legislation from Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, to recruit more people into the plumbing industry and make it easier for individuals to get licensed in the field.

House Bill 3462 creates licensing requirements for a new classification of journeyman plumbers licensed only for residential plumbing. This legislation also sets up a streamlined process for plumbers to get licensed based on their education and hands-on experience through apprenticeships, contract jobs, working in the field while serving in the military or other trade expertise.

To attract more licensed plumbers from other states, the bill also updates the state’s reciprocity requirements so these experienced plumbers can get to work in Oklahoma sooner.

Bullard said that these reciprocity changes will make it easier for plumbers who live just across the border in neighboring states to work jobs in Oklahoma.

“Like many states, Oklahoma is facing a growing shortage of experienced plumbers,” Bullard said. “This bill opens the door for more people to enter the trade, growing the pipeline of highly skilled workers. By creating a more flexible, streamlined path to licensure, we’re giving apprentices and journeymen a faster way to get approved to work, especially in residential settings."

Bullard, who has worked on this legislation with local plumbers for years, added that similar licensing reforms for electricians have already helped bring more people into that trade.

“Most Oklahomans probably don’t think twice about how many plumbers we have,” Bullard said. “This bill works to ensure that when residents have a plumbing emergency, there’s always a licensed plumber to answer the call.”

HB 3462 is now eligible for a vote of the full Senate. Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, is the principal House author.