Do Plumbers Need a License? Rules by State
Short answerRules differ by state, and some leave licensing to cities and counties. This page lists the 36 places where we read the rule on an official page, each with its source. A missing state means we couldn't verify it, not that no license is needed.
| State | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | The Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board certifies journeyman and master plumbers, and plumbing companies must register with the board before bidding on or performing work. | Source |
| Alaska | Alaska's Mechanical Inspection section has jurisdiction over plumbing work in communities of 2,500 people and above. Its page says a state-issued Certificate of Fitness is required in all parts of Alaska other than small communities. | Source |
| Arkansas | The Arkansas Department of Health licenses plumbers, including apprentice, journeyman and master plumbers, as well as gas fitters. | Source |
| California | Plumbing contractors are licensed by the Contractors State License Board under the C-36 Plumbing Contractor classification. | Source |
| Colorado | Colorado says it is a violation of state law for anyone other than the homeowner who is not a registered plumbing contractor to install a plumbing project on your property. If you hire a plumbing contractor, the contractor is responsible for getting the required permits. | Source |
| Connecticut | People doing plumbing work must have the appropriate Connecticut license, in addition to any home improvement registration. | Source |
| Delaware | The Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners must issue a license for any plumbing work in Delaware. | Source |
| District of Columbia | The DC Board of Industrial Trades licenses plumbers. DC is a single jurisdiction, so this is a District-level license. | Source |
| Georgia | Georgia's Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers offers state plumbing licenses for journeyman plumbers and master plumbers. | Source |
| Hawaii | Hawaii's Board of Electricians and Plumbers issues plumber licenses. Even when a county does not require a plumbing permit, the work may still have to be performed by a licensed plumber. | Source |
| Illinois | Individuals who plan, inspect, install, alter, extend, repair or maintain plumbing systems in Illinois must be licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health. | Source |
| Indiana | The Indiana Plumbing Commission, under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, grants apprentice plumber, journeyman plumber and plumbing contractor licenses. | Source |
| Iowa | The Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board issues plumbing journey and master licenses. A person may do volunteer work on an owner's principal residence without a plumbing license. | Source |
| Kentucky | In Kentucky, plumbing must be installed by a licensed journeyman plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. | Source |
| Louisiana | The board's FAQ says plumbing work valued at $10,000 or more, including labor and materials, requires a commercial plumbing license from the State Licensing Board for Contractors, in addition to a master plumber license from the State Plumbing Board. It does not settle smaller jobs, so check with the board. | Source |
| Maine | The State of Maine licenses plumbers, who can face discipline from their licensing board if they violate Maine law or the board's rules. | Source |
| Maryland | The Maryland Board of Plumbing licenses plumbers to work in the state, except in Baltimore County and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission licenses plumbers and gasfitters for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. | Source |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts says plumbers who provide services exclusively within the scope of their licensed profession do not need Home Improvement Contractor registration. | Source |
| Michigan | Michigan's Bureau of Construction Codes licenses journey plumbers, master plumbers and plumbing contractors. | Source |
| Mississippi | On a qualifying residential construction or improvement project, residential plumbing subcontractors need a state license regardless of their share of the job. Confirm smaller stand-alone jobs with the State Board of Contractors. | Source |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire's Mechanical Licensing Board regulates trainee, journeyman and master plumbers, as well as fuel gas fitters. | Source |
| New Jersey | Plumbers are licensed by the State and do not need home improvement registration when working within their profession. A municipal permit for plumbing work must be signed and sealed by a New Jersey licensed master plumber. | Source |
| New Mexico | The Construction Industries Division has a Mechanical Plumbing bureau, and the handyman exemption does not cover plumbing or gas fitting. | Source |
| North Carolina | The State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors licenses plumbing contractors in North Carolina. | Source |
| North Dakota | Plumbing work may require a separate license from the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, which is not part of the Secretary of State contractor license. | Source |
| Ohio | The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board issues state licenses to commercial contractors in plumbing. Applicants must pass an exam, carry at least $500,000 in contractor liability coverage, and generally have 5 years as a tradesperson. The board says local building departments may require this license for residential work, so ask yours. | Source |
| Oklahoma | The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board licenses plumbing journeymen and contractors. It is a violation to contract for services without current insurance and an active license. | Source |
| Oregon | Plumbing is among the construction activities covered by the Construction Contractors Board license. | Source |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania has no statewide requirement for most contractors, but some municipalities set their own requirements for plumbing contractors or plumbers. Check with the municipality where the work will take place. | Source |
| South Dakota | Commercial and rental properties in South Dakota must be plumbed by a licensed South Dakota plumbing contractor. | Source |
| Texas | The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners regulates plumbers and urges consumers to always hire a licensed plumber. | Source |
| Vermont | The Vermont Division of Fire Safety issues plumbing licenses. Tradespeople licensed by the Department of Public Safety are exempt from contractor registration when working within their scope. | Source |
| Virginia | Plumbers are licensed through Virginia's Tradesmen Program, with residential, journeyman and master levels. | Source |
| Washington | All plumbing contract work must be performed by a Licensed Plumbing Contractor, and each must designate a certified plumber. General contractors may do plumbing work only if they also hold a plumbing contractor license. | Source |
| West Virginia | Plumbing contractor is one of the contractor license classes under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. The Division of Labor also keeps a plumber license search. | Source |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services issues Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Apprentice credentials. | Source |
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General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.