Maine plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Maine plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation)), how to check one online, the license types, and 781 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Maine?
| Who licenses them | Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Trainee Plumber, Journeyman-in-Training |
A Master Plumber may run a plumbing business; journeymen generally work under a master. Verify licenses in OPOR's free online database and get a local plumbing permit.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Maine?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Maine plumbing license lookup run by Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation).
- 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 Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation).
What plumbing licenses does Maine issue?
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
- Trainee Plumber
- Journeyman-in-Training
How do you get a plumbing license in Maine?
Licenses are issued by the Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Maine?
The Census Bureau counted 781 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Maine in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Cumberland County | 203 |
|---|---|
| York County | 125 |
| Penobscot County | 72 |
| Androscoggin County | 69 |
| Kennebec County | 55 |
| Lincoln County | 37 |
| Hancock County | 32 |
| Oxford County | 30 |
What do Maine homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Maine was built in 1976, 26% of households rent and 73% of homes are single-family houses. 8% of homes heat with utility gas and 10% with electricity, and 57% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Maine?
- 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: Maine licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.