With skilled plumbers in very short supply right now, the state is waiving certain regulations for Plumber's Apprentices.
Every Texas plumber is simply over-extended right now, and it's going to stay that way for awhile.
Governor Abbott and the Texas State Board of Plumbing agreed to let about 500 otherwise qualified Plumbers' Apprentices to work under general supervision to make routine fixes, like repairing or replacing ruptured water lines.
According to the governor's office, these waived regulations would allow Plumber's Apprentices, those who have met all other qualifications, to temporarily perform repairs without "direct" supervision by a licensed plumber as long as they work under the general supervision of a responsible master plumber.