eNews - Texas PHCC eNews

Industry News

Online Applications and Computer-Based Testing

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is excited to announce their transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT). New and improved applications are now live online and will help ensure applications are received and processed more efficiently.

Create a free online account to submit applications, renew your license, order duplicate cards and update your Certificate of Insurance.

Be sure you have the needed hours, a good copy of a government issued photo ID and a copy of your birth certificate (if starting from an Apprentice) before you start the application process. And don’t forget to check your current license status including CE, fingerprint** and disciplinary history using their online Public License Search.

Ensure your current email address is on file. The TSBPE’s primary communication method is email, so if they don’t have your current address, you could be missing out on vital information. See this page for quick and easy address update instructions.

Visit https://tsbpe.texas.gov/everything-you-need-to-know-about-computer-based-testing/ to view the full article online.

2022 Apprentice Contest

For plumbing apprentices, the annual apprentice contest is your chance to shine! This event showcases the skills, knowledge and accuracy of the state's most talented industry newcomers. Apprentices must rough-in a bathroom – including the drain, waste and vent lines, a toilet, a sink, and shower.

Competitors are eligible to win prizes, and the contest winner will receive a paid trip to represent the State of Texas in the National Apprenticeship contest held at PHCCCONNECT October 4-7, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Besides offering apprentices a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on a statewide and potentially national stage, the contest supports PHCC’s mission by helping to generate awareness for local apprenticeship programs, boosting interest in the fields of plumbing and HVAC and attracting new recruits to the industry.

The annual PHCC Texas Apprentice Contest is a great way for Associate Members to support the next generation of P-H-C contractors. Intersted in getting involved? Follow the link below!

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/event/contest to view the full article online.

National Standard Plumbing Code Public Hearing Set for Aug. 11

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) encourages all members and industry representatives to review the proposed code changes for the 2024 National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC) and attend the NSPC public hearing, Aug. 11, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The NSPC Committee accepted proposals for changes to the 2024 NSPC from July 1, 2021, through April 1, 2022. Changes approved at the August hearing will appear in the 2024 NSPC. The NSPC Committee reviews the code annually and updates it on a three-year cycle.

The proposed changes to the 2024 NSPC will be available to the public for downloading and viewing after June 6 at www.iapmo.org/NSPC. No hard copies of the proposed changes will be available at the public hearing; interested parties are encouraged to download the file.

Visit https://www.phccweb.org/news/national-standard-plumbing-code-public-hearing-set-for-aug-11/ to view the full article online.

Congratulations, 2022 PHCC Texas Scholarship Recipients

The Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas Charitable and Educational Foundation is proud to announce the 2022 Scholarship Program recipients. This group of 2022 High School Seniors has a bright future, and we are honored to help support the families of our valued membership through continued education.

Join us in congratulating this year’s excellent group of Student Scholarship recipients! Each student will receive a $1,200 scholarship issued directly to their school of choice. We wish each of these deserving individuals the best of luck as they embark on the next step of their journey. Follow the link below to read more about this group of students.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/blogpost/2021392/468985/Congratulations-2022-PHCC-Texas-Scholarship-Recipients to view the full article online.

Seven Steps to Improve Cybersecurity

Most businesses have a risk management plan in place to cover general physical risks. But what about electronic ones? No business is immune to cybercrime — do you have the necessary precautions in place to help prevent one wrong click from hurting your business?

The depth and breadth of cybercrime means that any business that is connected to the internet or stores information digitally is at risk. Understanding common types of cybercrime is the first step in protecting your business. Some of these include: card skimming, ransomware, wire fraud, false pretense and conversion, phishing/spoofing, and denial of service.

With so many ways criminals can attack your business, it makes sense to create and implement a cybersecurity risk management plan. Ask yourself: what is in the best interest of the overall well-being and safety of your company’s electronic information? Here are seven potential action items to help bring your cybersecurity risk management plan to life.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/pdf/Final_May_2022_RMC_Cyber_Crime.pdf to view the full article online.

Submission Window for National Awards Now Open

Don't miss the chance to have your company or team recognized at the national level — apply now for the following awards now!

Colonel George D. Scott Award

PHCC HVAC Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Rheem)

PHCC HVAC Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by Rheem)

PHCC HVAC Instructor of the Year (sponsored by Milwaukee Tool)

PHCC Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Delta)

PHCC Plumbing Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by Delta)

PHCC Plumbing Instructor of the Year (sponsored by Milwaukee Tool)

Legislative Service Awards

Visit https://community.phccweb.org/resourcecenter/member-benefits/awards to view the full article online.

Employee Hygiene Issues Approach?

Question of the Month: We have a newer employee who doesn’t appear to be bathing. It is a touchy situation, but the manager came to me and asked what he should do. He directly supervises the employee and is open to talking to him, but wanted guidance on the best way to approach the situation.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=729384&issueID=82937 to view the full article online.

Fingerprint Requirement for All License Types

Effective January 1, 2022, all TSBPE exam applicants are now required to submit fingerprint data. Any exam application received after this date will remain open and unscheduled until the exam candidate's fingerprint data has been received by the TSBPE.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/fingerprinting to view the full article online.

PHCC National: Business Intelligence Update

This fourth installment of Insta-Intel provides up-to-the-minute information, data, trends and actionable solutions regarding those market conditions that affect our contracts. This includes Federal Reserve activities, higher interest rates, material costs and confidence indices results. As with all Business Intelligence (BI) publications, here we provide our best suggestions and resources on how to address these challenges, while working towards the ultimate goal of positioning PHCC Contractors as the “Contractor of Choice" in the industry.

PHCC and its BI Department are working to equip members and affiliates with the highest level of market awareness, professionalism, leadership and business profitability in this ever-changing environment. By providing a variety of timely communications and publications, we trust this information will bring greater member-value at all levels of the PHCC Federation.

Visit https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/PHCC/attach/PHCC_Insta_Intel_May_2022.pdf to view the full article online.

How Long Can You Go Without a Paycheck?

As the world continues to change and evolve, you may have started to rethink your overall financial plans. Now may be a good time to revisit any disability income policies you have, or that you might need, to protect your family in the event of a long-term disability.

Consider this: If your ability to work were suddenly interrupted by a disabling injury or sickness, how long could you pay your day-to-day family costs, keep your business open, and make your monthly payments? Would your long-term plans based on a steady income — vacations, college funds, retirement, etc. — have to be given up for lack of cash? How long could you go without an income before needing help?

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/pdf/Its_Your_Life_Article_-_Disability_Income.pdf to view the full article online.

Legislative Updates

Pregnant Employees and Employer Obligations

Attorney Rick Alaniz addresses the laws and major court cases that affect what obligations employers have to pregnant employees.

Women comprise over half the American workforce, and that number increases annually. While sexual harassment and gender equity issues often garner more attention, how to deal with a pregnant employee who may have work limitations continues to vex employers. It’s an issue that’s often a source of consternation, and if improperly handled could result in legal liability to employers.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=729389&issueID=82937 to view the full article online.

PHCC Texas Provides Testimony on HB 636

On May 10, PHCC Texas was invited to the State Capitol to discuss the implementation of HB 636 with the Texas House of Representatives Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee. Special thanks to Board Treasurer Josh Hollub with Modern Plumbing who provided testimony on behalf of the organization and shared his personal experience with the Committee.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=729415&issueID=82937 to view the full article online.

Membership

Why PHCC Texas?

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/MEMBERBENEFITS to view the full article online.

Meet the Immediate Past President, Randy Hunter!

After years of working closely with P-H-C contractors as a pipefitter and welder along the Coastal Bend, PHCC Texas Immediate Past President Randy Hunter finally stopped resisting and accepted the practice: he’s a plumber at heart.

As the Vice President of R.E.C Industries, Randy also serves as the Branch Manager of the company’s San Antonio operations where their mission is to build, renovate, and service healthy buildings that ultimately build a healthier nation. After more than 38 years, R.E.C Industries and its people are known as reliable, experienced, and committed partners for building owners and operators. For Randy who earned his Journeyman license in 2001, he was particularly allured by the opportunity to solve problems, implement solutions and witness his hard work’s immediate impact — he still cherishes this facet of his work deeply today.

Randy is a champion of industry and warns folks not to underestimate the opportunities the trade can provide. “This business is much more than people can imagine,” says Hunter. “It will give you a strength that you were not aware of, it will feed your family, it will challenge you mentally and physically — but most importantly, the knowledge, skill, and grit you earn cannot be taken; it is yours to keep forever.”

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/blogpost/2021392/468878/Meet-the-Immediate-Past-President-Randy-Hunter to view the full article online.

Upcoming Events

[Recap] Gulf Coast PHCC Clay Shoot

Gulf Coast PHCC hosted their annual Clay Shoot May 12, 2022 at Greater Houston Sports Club in Houston. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and attendees who supported this event!

Visit https://gulfcoastphcc.org/content.aspx?page_id=722&club_id=61655&emtid=195230827536&mtid=472130140015&ht=0 to view the full article online.

San Antonio Chapter Event: Membership Meeting - June 9

Monthly Membership Meeting - Registration Not Required

Visit https://www.phcc-sanantonio.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=610461&item_id=1673831&event_date_id=255 to view the full article online.

North Texas Chapter Event: Clay Shoot - October 27

4th Annual Clay Shoot at Elm Fork. Breakfast, lunch, beverages and gun raffle for Contractors included.

Visit https://phccnt.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=52897&item_id=1616925 to view the full article online.

Benefits

Canon Partner Program: Powering P-H-C Contractors with Trusted, Affordable Technology

Professional contractors and employees face daunting challenges related to time management, increasing reach through marketing initiatives, and improving workflow efficiencies. Daily expenses for copies, business cards, promotional and informative collateral, receipts, documentation, and more add up. The costs to produce and manage materials can be significant — whether you’re printing work order receipts or contracts, creating signage, or producing physical mailers.

That’s why Canon Solutions America is equipped to help you succeed. Use the link below or call 844-502-2666 for more information on the benefits of the PHCC approved partner program.

Visit https://cdn.ymaws.com/phcc-tx.org/resource/resmgr/files/Canon-PHCC_Austin_Agreement.pdf to view the full article online.

PHCC Texas Career Center

Streamline your hiring process using our career center. Connect with top professionals and get your jobs filled more quickly with industry talent.

Visit https://careers.phcc-tx.org/ to view the full article online.

Everything You Need to Strengthen Your Business — Now and in the Future

As a member of the PHCC community, you plug into a powerful network of valuable resources and contractors at the local, state and national level — plus our own PHCC Educational Foundation — offering the knowledge, tools, programs and services you need to succeed.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/pdf/PHCC-TX_2021_Member_Benefits_Flyer_RENEW_Today.pdf to view the full article online.