Plumber licenses in
New York
New York has no statewide license for plumbers. Cities and counties license them.
There's no state search to run. Check the license with the city or county where the work is (see below).
What the license should say
In New York you'll see one of these on a plumber's card, bid or truck:
- Master plumber (NYC)
- Individual licensed by NYC DOB to perform plumbing work in New York City; three-year term.
- Countywide or restricted master plumber (Westchester County)
- Individual; a restricted master plumber may work only in specific Westchester municipalities.
- Journey level plumbing certificate (Westchester County)
- Individual employed by a master plumber; may not contract for plumbing work on their own.
Hiring a company, not a person?
No state plumber license; New York Business Express states that local governments regulate plumbing under General City Law Article 4, for example NYC DOB, Westchester County, City of Buffalo and City of Rochester, and in Nassau County the towns, cities and villages license plumbers.
City and county licenses
New York leaves plumber licensing to local governments. These are the largest with an online search.
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New York City
NYC Department of Buildings
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Suffolk County
Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs
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City of Rochester
Neighborhood and Business Development, Licensed Trades
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Westchester County
Department of Consumer Protection
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City of Buffalo
Department of Permit and Inspection Services (OpenData Buffalo licensed contractors)
Not listed? Call the building department for the city or county where the work is.
Before you hire
- Contractor licensing in New York (small-job limits, bonds, permits)
- How to check a license in New York, step by step
- Before-you-hire checklist (one page, free PDF)
- File a complaint about a plumber (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.