Maryland plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Maryland plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor)), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,986 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Maryland?
| Who licenses them | Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber/Gas Fitter, Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter, Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter, Master Natural Gas Fitter, Journey Natural Gas Fitter |
| When a license is required | Unknown (no dollar threshold stated on the Board's pages) |
Prince George's County and parts of Montgomery County (WSSC) and Baltimore County run their own plumbing licensing, so check the local license there too. Plumbing work also needs a local permit.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Maryland?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Maryland plumbing license lookup run by Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor).
- 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 Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor).
What plumbing licenses does Maryland issue?
- Master Plumber/Gas Fitter
- Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter
- Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter
- Master Natural Gas Fitter
- Journey Natural Gas Fitter
How do you get a plumbing license in Maryland?
Licenses are issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Maryland State Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Maryland city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in Maryland?
The Census Bureau counted 1,986 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Maryland in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Baltimore County | 270 |
|---|---|
| Montgomery County | 247 |
| Anne Arundel County | 246 |
| Prince George's County | 229 |
| Harford County | 125 |
| Frederick County | 119 |
| Carroll County | 113 |
| Howard County | 112 |
What do Maryland homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Maryland was built in 1979, 33% of households rent and 72% of homes are single-family houses. 43% of homes heat with utility gas and 43% with electricity, and 7% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Maryland?
- 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: Maryland licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.