September 17, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes - State Board of Plumbing

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: 100 S. Charles Street, Tower 1
Conference Room 3309
Baltimore, MD 21201
Held via Video Conference
meet.google.com/qks-niad-yfo
By Phone via Teleconference
1-414-909-7588 (PIN: 385820141)

Members Present: Hayward Hinkhaus, Vice Chairman, Industry Member
Craig Stokes, Industry Member
Robert Parker, Consumer Member
Megan Klepsig, Industry Member

Absent: Joseph Radtka, Chairman, Industry Member
Leif Hancock, Industry Member

LABOR Officials & Staff Present: John Dove, Commissioner, Occupational and Professional Licensing
Sarah McDermott, Asst. Commissioner, Occupational and
Professional Licensing
Charles Marquette, Executive Director, Mechanical Licensing
Sloane Fried Kinstler, Assistant Attorney General
LaKissha Thornton, Administrative Officer III

OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Fishpaw, Pipe Trades Technologies
Kathy Stradley, MPHCC
Shaina Adkins, Public
Tom Shrum, Prime Plumbing

CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chairman Hinkhaus called the September 17, 2026, Business Meeting of the Maryland State Board of Plumbing to order, virtually, at 10:32 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion to approve the July 16, 2026, Business Meeting minutes was made by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Stokes, and unanimously approved by the Board without amendment.

PLUMBING COMPLAINT COMMITTEE

Vice Chairman Hinkhaus reported the following findings of the Complaint Committee:

Mr. Hinkhaus also reported that cases, 22-0044, 22-0049, 23-0024, 24-0040, 24-0041,25-0025 were all closed entering into a consent order with the Board.

A motion to accept the findings of the Complaint Committee was made by Ms. Klepsig, seconded by Mr. Stokes, and unanimously approved by the Board.

APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

There were no applications submitted for review and, therefore, no Committee report.

NATURAL GAS FITTER PROVIDER COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Stokes stated that he did not have anything new to add and would further update the Board at the October meeting.

Director Marquette stated that responses to the Board’s natural gasfitter training provider inquiry letters had been received and asked Ms. Thornton to provide an update for the Board. Ms. Thornton reported that two responses had been received and that a detailed report would be provided at the October meeting.

REVIEW OF EXAMINATION STATISTICS AND LICENSE TOTALS

Ms. Thornton reported the following statistical summary submitted by PSI for July 2026:

Candidates Passed Failed Pass %
Tested

Ms. Thornton reported the following statistical summary submitted by PSI for August 2026:

Candidates Passed Failed Pass %
Tested

Ms. Thornton further reported that since January 2026, 711 candidates were tested, with 290 candidates having passed, 421 having failed, for a pass rate of 41%. Since the inception of the test, 13,744 candidates were tested, with 5,032 candidates passed, 8,712 failed, for a pass rate of 37%. There are currently 14,597 active licensees.

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence to be discussed.

OLD BUSINESS

Code Adoption update:

Director Marquette stated that Division of Labor and Industry (DLI) had not yet adopted the International Residential Building Codes and that the Boards adoption process would be delayed until DLI passed their codes. He added that the PSI Plumbing license exams would be modified after the Board completed it’s code adoption process.

Virginia Reciprocity Agreement:

Director Marquette reported that the reciprocal agreement with Virginia had been finalized. The agreement states that the Board will grant a Master Plumber/Gasfitter license to Virgina licensee who holds a Master Plumber license; Master Gasfitter license; and a current backflow certification. He added that an announcement of the agreement would soon be posted on the Board’s website. Mr. Fishpaw asked Director Marquette if the VA reciprocity agreement was open to Journeyman as well. Director Marquette confirmed that the VA reciprocity agreement only included master level plumber/gas fitter.

Discussion on License Requirement Notice:

Director Marquette stated that Chairman Radtka requested that the Board discuss drafting a notice detailing the requirements regarding plumbing licensure in Maryland. He added that staff was in the process of drafting a notice and that he would send it to the Board for review and discussion when it was complete.

NEW BUSINESS

RuffGuard Pipe Insulator Product Review:

Director Marquette stated that RuffGuard sent a request for the Board to review a pipe insulator for product endorsement. Mr. Hinkhaus requested that the item be placed on the October agenda for discussion when the Chairman in attendance.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Director Marquette reported that he was attending a conference hosted by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA). The conference was intended to give members of different licensing units from across the country an opportunity to network and share ideas. He added that he was looking forward to sharing what he learned at the conference with the Board at the next meeting.

COUNSEL’S REPORT

Counsel did not offer report.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Vice Chairman Hinkhaus did not offer a report.

CLOSED SESSION

The Board did not convene in a closed session.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn the September 17, 2026, Business Meeting was made by Mr. Hinkhaus, seconded by Stokes, unanimously approved by the Board at 10:48 am.

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Charles Marquette Date
Executive Director

Signed on behalf of the Board as voted and approved on: ________