Alabama plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Alabama plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,636 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Alabama?
| Who licenses them | Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board |
|---|---|
| License types | Apprentice (registration), Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Journeyman Gas Fitter, Master Gas Fitter |
| When a license is required | Certification required for plumbing/gas fitting work; no dollar threshold found |
Alabama certifies plumbers and gas fitters at journeyman and master levels; the board also registers plumbing businesses (business lookup: https://alpgfb.igovsolution.net/online/Lookups/Business.aspx). Ask for the certificate number and confirm local permits are pulled.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Alabama?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Alabama plumbing license lookup run by Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
What plumbing licenses does Alabama issue?
- Apprentice (registration)
- Journeyman Plumber
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Gas Fitter
- Master Gas Fitter
How do you get a plumbing license in Alabama?
Licenses are issued by the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Alabama?
The Census Bureau counted 1,636 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Alabama in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Jefferson County | 220 |
|---|---|
| Mobile County | 135 |
| Baldwin County | 126 |
| Madison County | 124 |
| Shelby County | 95 |
| Tuscaloosa County | 59 |
| Morgan County | 59 |
| Lee County | 57 |
What do Alabama homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Alabama was built in 1985, 30% of households rent and 71% of homes are single-family houses. 26% of homes heat with utility gas and 67% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Alabama?
- 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.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Alabama licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.