California plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
California plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (CSLB), how to check one online, the license types, and 11,683 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in California?
| Who licenses them | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) |
|---|---|
| License types | C-36 Plumbing Contractor |
| When a license is required | State contractor license required for jobs of $1,000 or more (labor + materials), and for any job that needs a permit or where the worker uses employees, regardless of price (minor work exemption raised from $500 to $1,000 by AB 2622, effective Jan 1, 2025). Written contract required for home improvement jobs over $500; down payment capped at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. |
Ask for the contractor's CSLB license number and confirm it shows an active C-36 classification. Licensed contractors must keep a $25,000 contractor bond on file with CSLB; plumbing work usually needs a city or county permit.
How do you look up a plumber's license in California?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the California plumbing license lookup run by CSLB.
- 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 CSLB.
What plumbing licenses does California issue?
- C-36 Plumbing Contractor
How do you get a plumbing license in California?
Licenses are issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official CSLB source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which California city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in California?
The Census Bureau counted 11,683 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in California in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Los Angeles County | 2,765 |
|---|---|
| San Diego County | 1,072 |
| Orange County | 1,028 |
| Riverside County | 879 |
| San Bernardino County | 563 |
| Santa Clara County | 512 |
| Sacramento County | 461 |
| Alameda County | 373 |
What do California homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in California was built in 1976, 44% of households rent and 65% of homes are single-family houses. 62% of homes heat with utility gas and 29% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in California?
- 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: California licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.