Find a licensed plumber
How to find, check and hire a licensed plumber: state license rules, public-record listings and what to ask before you hire.
A good plumber fixes the problem you called about and tells you what else they saw, in writing, before touching it. Most plumbing calls are leaks, clogs, running toilets, water heaters and low pressure. Bigger jobs, such as moving a fixture, replacing a water heater, re-piping or any gas work, usually need a licensed plumber and a permit.
Where do you need a plumber?
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What do plumbers do?
- Leak and burst-pipe repair
- Drain and sewer clearing
- Water heater repair and replacement
- Toilet, faucet and fixture installs
- Gas line work and inspections
- Re-piping old galvanized or lead lines
- Sump pumps and backflow devices
- Bathroom and kitchen rough-in
How do you hire a good plumber?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
The US Census Bureau counts about 110,542 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees nationwide (County Business Patterns 2023). We list the ones we can confirm in public license records, starting with New York City.
Questions people ask
How do I check if a plumber is licensed?
Ask for the license number and search it on the licensing agency's website. In some states that is a state board; in others, including New York City, the city licenses plumbers. Make sure the name and status match and that the license is active.
When does plumbing work need a permit?
Rules vary by city, but new fixtures, moved drains, water heater replacements and any gas piping work usually need a permit pulled by a licensed plumber. Small repairs such as clearing a drain or fixing a faucet usually don't.
What should a plumbing estimate include?
The work described in plain words, the price or hourly rate, the trip or diagnostic fee, how parts are charged, any permit fees, and how long the work is guaranteed.
Is it worth paying for an emergency plumber?
For an active leak you can't stop at the shutoff valve, no heat or hot water in winter, a sewage backup or a gas smell, yes. Turn off the water or leave and call the gas utility first. For a slow drain or a dripping faucet, a regular-hours visit is cheaper.