Plumbing license requirements by state
Whether you need a plumbing license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
43States with a state license
2Partly, or registration only
3Leave it to cities and counties
Plumbing licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Master Plumber certification |
| Alaska | Yes | Mechanical Administrator license (plumbing category) with mechanical contractor registration |
| Arizona | Yes | R-37 Plumbing (residential), C-37 Plumbing (commercial) or CR-37 Plumbing (dual) |
| Arkansas | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| California | Yes | C-36 Plumbing Contractor |
| Colorado | Yes | Master Plumber license with Plumbing Contractor registration |
| Connecticut | Yes | P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor |
| Delaware | Yes | Master Plumber |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Master Plumber (and a Plumbing/Gasfitting trade contractor license for the business) |
| Florida | Yes | Certified Plumbing Contractor (CF) |
| Georgia | Yes | Master Plumber, Class II (unrestricted) or Class I (restricted) |
| Hawaii | Yes | C-37 Plumbing Contractor (plus a Master Plumber license) |
| Idaho | Yes | Plumbing Contractor certificate of competency |
| Illinois | Yes | Illinois plumber license, plus plumbing contractor registration for your business |
| Indiana | Yes | Plumbing Contractor license |
| Iowa | Yes | Plumbing contractor license (you hold, or employ, a licensed master plumber) |
| Kansas | No, local only | None at state level |
| Kentucky | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| Louisiana | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| Maine | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| Maryland | Yes | Master Plumber/Gas Fitter license |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| Michigan | Yes | Plumbing Contractor license (with a Master Plumber license) |
| Minnesota | Yes | Plumbing Contractor license (with a Master Plumber as responsible licensed individual) |
| Mississippi | Yes | Residential Plumbing (home work) or the commercial Plumbing classification (commercial jobs over $50,000) |
| Missouri | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Montana | Yes | Master Plumber |
| Nebraska | No, local only | None at state level (plumbing license from your city or village plumbing board) |
| Nevada | Yes | C-1d Plumbing (or the full C-1 Plumbing and Heating license) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Master Plumber |
| New Jersey | Yes | Master Plumber |
| New Mexico | Yes | MM-1 Plumbing (or MM-98 Mechanical) |
| New York | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| North Carolina | Yes | Plumbing Contractor, Class I (all buildings) or Class II (single-family homes) |
| North Dakota | Yes | Master Plumber |
| Ohio | Partly | Plumbing Contractor (OCILB) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Plumbing Contractor (unlimited or residential) |
| Oregon | Yes | Plumbing Business (PB) license |
| Pennsylvania | No, local only | None at state level |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| South Carolina | Yes | Residential Plumbing Contractor license (residential) or Mechanical Contractor, Plumbing classification (commercial) |
| South Dakota | Yes | Plumbing Contractor license |
| Tennessee | Partly | Contractor license with the CMC-A (plumbing and gas piping) classification, or the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for jobs under $25,000 |
| Texas | Yes | Master Plumber with Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) designation |
| Utah | Yes | P200 General Plumbing Contractor (or P201 Residential Plumbing Contractor), qualified by a Master Plumber |
| Vermont | Yes | Master Plumber (PM) |
| Virginia | Yes | Class A, B or C contractor license with the PLB classification, qualified by a Master Plumber |
| Washington | Yes | Plumbing contractor license, plus a journey level (PL01) or specialty plumber certificate |
| West Virginia | Yes | Master plumber certification, plus a contractor license with the Plumbing classification |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Master Plumber license |
| Wyoming | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
Other trades
LicensingHVAC license by stateHeating, cooling and refrigeration work. Some states license it through a mechanical board, some leave it to cities.LicensingElectrical license by stateWiring, panels and service work. Many states license electricians at the state level, often with journeyman and master levels.LicensingRoofing license by stateRoof replacement and repair. Some states have a roofing license of their own, others fold it into the contractor license or leave it to cities.LicensingGeneral Contractor license by stateBuilding, remodeling and home improvement. The rules swing from a full state exam to a city permit desk.LicensingHandyman license by stateSmall repairs and odd jobs. Most states draw a dollar line, and above it you need a contractor license.