Pennsylvania plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Pennsylvania plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (no state license; check city/county (Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program)), how to check one online, the license types, and 4,153 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Pennsylvania?
| Who licenses them | no state license; check city/county (Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Plumber |
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumbing license; Philadelphia L&I issues Master, Journeyman and Apprentice Plumber licenses, and the Allegheny County Health Department licenses Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Plumbers (call 412-578-8123 to verify there). Elsewhere, ask your municipality and confirm permits are pulled.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Pennsylvania?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Pennsylvania plumbing license lookup run by no state license; check city/county (Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program).
- 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 no state license; check city/county (Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program).
What plumbing licenses does Pennsylvania issue?
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
- Apprentice Plumber
How do you get a plumbing license in Pennsylvania?
Licenses are issued by the no state license; check city/county (Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official no state license; check city/county (Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Pennsylvania city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in Pennsylvania?
The Census Bureau counted 4,153 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Pennsylvania in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Allegheny County | 450 |
|---|---|
| Bucks County | 402 |
| Montgomery County | 326 |
| Delaware County | 253 |
| Philadelphia County | 225 |
| Chester County | 220 |
| Lancaster County | 207 |
| Berks County | 157 |
What do Pennsylvania homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Pennsylvania was built in 1965, 31% of households rent and 76% of homes are single-family houses. 51% of homes heat with utility gas and 25% with electricity, and 15% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Pennsylvania?
- 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: Pennsylvania licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.