Vermont plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Vermont plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety), Plumbers' Examining Board), how to check one online, the license types, and 299 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Vermont?
| Who licenses them | Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety), Plumbers' Examining Board |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber (PM), Journeyman Plumber (PJ), Plumbing Specialist (PS): P1 Water Heater, P2 Heating System, P3 Water Treatment |
| When a license is required | State law requires all plumbing and specialty work to be done by a licensed person; exceptions include owners working on their own owner-occupied single-family home |
Ask for the plumber's Division of Fire Safety license number and check it on the state's master list of license holders. Plumbing done by exempt homeowners must still meet state code.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Vermont?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Vermont plumbing license lookup run by Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety), Plumbers' Examining Board.
- 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 Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety), Plumbers' Examining Board.
What plumbing licenses does Vermont issue?
- Master Plumber (PM)
- Journeyman Plumber (PJ)
- Plumbing Specialist (PS): P1 Water Heater, P2 Heating System, P3 Water Treatment
How do you get a plumbing license in Vermont?
Licenses are issued by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety), Plumbers' Examining Board. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety), Plumbers' Examining Board source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Vermont?
The Census Bureau counted 299 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Vermont in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Chittenden County | 64 |
|---|---|
| Washington County | 35 |
| Rutland County | 35 |
| Windsor County | 32 |
| Franklin County | 25 |
| Bennington County | 23 |
| Windham County | 20 |
| Addison County | 17 |
What do Vermont homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Vermont was built in 1976, 27% of households rent and 72% of homes are single-family houses. 18% of homes heat with utility gas and 8% with electricity, and 40% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Vermont?
- 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: Vermont licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.