New Hampshire plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
New Hampshire plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC)), how to check one online, the license types, and 776 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in New Hampshire?
| Who licenses them | New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Water Treatment Technician |
| When a license is required | State license required for plumbing work; RSA 153:27 et seq. |
Plumbing licensing moved from the old RSA 329-A to the Mechanical Licensing Board under RSA 153 in 2013; a master plumber license covers the business, and journeymen do the work. Gas piping needs a separate fuel gas fitter license from the same board.
How do you look up a plumber's license in New Hampshire?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the New Hampshire plumbing license lookup run by New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC).
- 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 New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC).
What plumbing licenses does New Hampshire issue?
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
- Water Treatment Technician
How do you get a plumbing license in New Hampshire?
Licenses are issued by the New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in New Hampshire?
The Census Bureau counted 776 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in New Hampshire in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Rockingham County | 218 |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough County | 206 |
| Merrimack County | 99 |
| Strafford County | 51 |
| Grafton County | 48 |
| Carroll County | 43 |
| Belknap County | 42 |
| Cheshire County | 38 |
What do New Hampshire homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in New Hampshire was built in 1978, 27% of households rent and 69% of homes are single-family houses. 21% of homes heat with utility gas and 11% with electricity, and 41% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in New Hampshire?
- 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: New Hampshire licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.