The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) promulgated
new and revised rules on September 27, 2007 which will affect many
licensing programs.
Please review the URL below to become acquainted with the newly
adopted Chapter 30 rules for
Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 30, Subchapter D:
Landscape Irrigators and Installers, Rules 30.111 - 30.129.
A person may not sell, design, install, maintain, alter, repair,
or service an irrigation system—or consult in these
activities—in this state unless the person is licensed by the
TCEQ. While connecting an irrigation system to a water supply, a
licensed installer must be under the direct supervision of a
licensed irrigator.
When is a license not required?
The licensure requirements do not apply to:
- a person who is licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing
Examiners and is working within the scope provided by the plumbing
laws;
- a person who is registered or licensed as a professional
engineer or architect or landscape architect if the work is related
to the pursuit of the profession;
- a person who is under the direct supervision of a licensed
irrigator and assists in the installation, maintenance, alteration,
repair, or service of an irrigation system; or
- a person who is an owner of a business that employs a licensed
irrigator to supervise the business' sale, design, consultation,
installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, and service of
irrigation systems. For the purpose of this subchapter, employs
means steadily, uniformly, or habitually working in an
employer-employee relationship with the intent to earn a livlihood,
as opposed to working casually or occasionally.
- irrigation or yard sprinkler work that is performed by a
property owner in a building or on premises owned or occupied by
the owner as the owner's home;
- irrigation or yard sprinkler work other than extension of an
existing irrigation or yard sprinkler system of a replacement
system that is:
-
- performed by a maintenance person who does not act as an
irrigator or engage in yard sprinkler construction or maintenance
for the public and
- incidental to and on premises owned by the business in which
the person is regularly employed or engaged;
- irrigation or yard sprinkler work that is performed:
-
- (A) by a regular employee of a railroad who does not act as an
irrigator or engage in yard sprinkler construction or maintenance
for the public;
- and
- (B) on the premises or equipment of the railroad;
- irrigation and yard sprinkler work that is performed on public
property by a person who is regularly employed by a county, city,
town, special district, or political subdivision of the state;
- irrigation or yard sprinkler work that is performed by a person
using a garden hose, hose sprinkler, hose-end product, including
soaker hose, or agricultural irrigation system;
- an activity that includes a commercial agricultureal irrigation
system;
- irrigation or yard sprinkler work that is performed by an
agriculturist, agronomist, horticulturist, forester, gardener,
contract gardener, garden or lawn caretaker, nuseryman, or grader
or cultivator of land on land owned by the individual performing
the work;
- irrigation or yard sprinkler work that is performed by a member
of a property owners' association as defined by Property Code,
§202.001, on real property owned by the association or in
common by the members of the association if the irrigation or yard
sprinkler system water real property that is less than ½
acre in size and is used for aesthetic or recreational
purposes..
Even though you may be exempt from licensing, you must comply
with the standards established by
Title 30 TAC Chapter 344
. Irrigation system does not
include a system used on or by an agricultural operation as defined
in Section 251.002, Agricultural Code.
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What does each license do?
Licensed irrigators
(LI) can sell, design, consult, install, maintain,
alter, repair, or service an irrigation system including the
connection of such system to a private or public, raw or potable
water supply or any water supply. This includes water wells and
unincorporated areas of the state.
Licensed installers
(IN) can only connect a landscape irrigation system to
a water supply under the direct supervision of the licensed
irrigator. Generally, a licensed installer is regularly employed by
a licensed irrigator. A licensed installer may not perform any of
the functions of a licensed irrigator without working for a
licensed irrigator.
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Obtaining a License
Effective 01/01/2008
| To obtain this license
... |
You need this much
classroom training ... |
You need this much
experience ... |
Pay an application fee
of ... |
And you must pass an
examination, scoring at least a ... |
|
|
|
0 years
|
Before 01/01/2008 $70.00
After 01/01/2008 $111.00
|
70 in all of the following sections:
Installation, Backflow Prevention, Hydraulics, and Design
|
|
|
0 hours
|
0 years
|
Before 01/01/2008 $70.00
After 01/01/2008 $111.00
|
70
|
Applications for a license must be submitted to the Texas
Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) at least 14 days before the
scheduled examination and must be approved before taking a
license exam. You can call TEEX at 1-800-824-7303 for an
application, approved list of providers, and exam schedule.
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How do I become a licensed irrigator?
To become a Licensed Irrigator, you must complete the
Basic Irrigator training course, submit an application with the
appropriate fee, a copy of a certificate showing completion of an
approved basic training course, and pass each section of the
Irrigator exam (installation, backflow, hydraulics, and
design). An approved application is valid for one year or three
retests whichever occurs first. To obtain an application or inquire
about additional fees, contact the Texas Engineering Extension
Service (TEEX) at 1-800-824-7303.
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How do I become a licensed installer?
To become a Licensed Installer, you must submit an application
with the appropriate fee, and pass the
Installer exam. Attending and completing a basic training
course is not required. An approved application is valid for one
year or three retests whichever occurs first. To obtain an
application or to inquire about additional fees, contact the Texas
Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) at 1-800-824-7303.
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How long is my license valid?
After 01/01/2008 all new licenses (first time issued) expire in
three years on the last day of the month they were issued, and must
be renewed every three years in order to retain your license
number.
If you do not renew your license on time, you will need to re-take and pass the examination for the
license desired. For the irrigator license, you must have completed
an
approved basic training course since September 1, 1997. You
will be assigned a new license number.
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How do I renew a license?
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To renew your current license, you will be mailed a renewal
postcard to the last known address on file at least 60 days before
your license expires. Follow the directions on the postcard and you
can either renew your license online at Texas
Online or you can request a printed renewal application.
If you are unable to renew online, please contact our office
immediately to receive a printed renewal application. You can
contact the TCEQ Licensing Section at licenses@tceq.state.tx.us
or phone (512) 239-6719. Please be sure to include your full
name and license number with your request. Remember it is your
responsibility to timely submit a renewal application.
To check the current status of your license, click here. To
obtain a list of approved training providers,
click here.
Return to renewal information
Return to renewal information
Licensed irrigator renewal procedures
- Complete sixteen (16) hours if license expires before
01/01/2010 (24 hours if license expires after 01/01/2010)of
continuing education BEFORE your license expires;
- Sign and date the application or renew online at Texas
Online.
- Pay a renewal fee of $70 ($111 effective 01/01/2008);and
- Meet issues of compliance.
After your license is renewed, you must obtain 24 hours of
continuing education before license expiration date.
Return to renewal information
Installer license renewal procedures
- Sign and date the application;
- Pay a renewal fee of $70 ($111 effective 01/01/2008); and
- Meet issues of compliance.
Return to renewal information
Obtaining a renewal application
To renew your current license, you will be mailed a renewal
postcard to the last known address on file at least 60 days before
your license expires. Follow the directions on the postcard and you
can either renew your license online at Texas
Online or you can request a printed renewal application.
If you are unable to renew online, please contact our office
immediately to receive a printed renewal application. You can
contact the TCEQ Licensing Section at licenses@tceq.state.tx.us
or phone (512) 239-6719. Please be sure to include your full
name and license number with your request. Remember it is your
responsibility to timely submit a renewal application.
Follow the directions which accompany the application, and
return it with the requested materials before your license
expires.
Return to renewal information
Lost applications
If you've lost your renewal notification or application or did
not receive one, call 512/239-6719 or e-mail (Please make sure you
include your name, contact information, license number or social
security number) to licenses@tceq.state.tx.us
before your license expires to obtain a new application on an
approved form.
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Issues of compliance
You must be in compliance with guaranteed student loans, child
support payments, and TCEQ fees or penalties.
If you are currently under enforcement, you are encouraged to
resolve these issues before you renew to avoid delays in the
renewal of your license.
Return to renewal information
Late renewal
License expired for less than 30
days?
License expired for more than 30
days?
Return to renewal information
If your license has been expired for less than 30
days:
You must show proof that you have completed the required number
of hours of
approved continuing education training before your license
expired.
- If you lost or did not receive a renewal application, click here.
- If you completed your continuing education BEFORE your license
expired:
- You must submit your renewal application with the appropriate
fee within 30 days after your license expired.
- We will also review whether you are delinquent in the paying
student loans, and any penalties which may be owed to the
TCEQ.
- If you did not complete your continuing education BEFORE your
license expired, you cannot renew your license:
- You will need to follow the same procedures as if your license
was expired for more than 30 days.
Return to Late Renewal
You cannot renew your license if it has been expired for
more than 30 days. You must then do the following:
- call TEEX at 1-800-824-7303, for an application
- submit the application for approval at least 14 days before
taking the exam,
- pay an application fee,
- provide proof you have completed an
approved basic training course since September 1, 1997,
and
- pass the exam within 12 months of application approval. Once
you pass the exam, you will be issued a NEW
license number.
Return to Late Renewal
I've moved. How do I notify you of my new address or phone
number?
Within 10 days of the date you moved, you must notify us of
changes in your address or phone number. The notification must be
in writing and mailed to the TCEQ, MC-178, PO Box 13087, Austin,
Texas 78711-3087; or faxed to 512/239-0533; or e-mailed to licenses@tceq.state.tx.us
Mail from the TCEQ is NOT forwarded.
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I lost my license, how do I obtain a replacement?
To replace your lost license, mail a payment of $20 with a note
indicating your name and license number to: TCEQ, MC-214, PO Box
13088, Austin, Texas 78711-3088. Be certain to specify if you are
ordering a wall certificate or pocket card (license card).
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What are the relevant laws and rules for my license?
The laws relevant to landscape irrigation are Chapter
1903
of the Occupations Code and
Chapter 37
of the Texas Water Code
The state rules relating to licensing and standards are
Title 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapters A & D
, and
Title 30 TAC Chapter 344
.
The enforcement provisions relating to landscape irrigation are
found in Texas Water
Code, Chapter 7
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Who can I contact or call for more information?
Wanda Kurio licenses@tceq.state.tx.us
(512/239-6719) -- Licensing
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