Virginia plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Virginia plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (DPOR), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,736 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Virginia?
| Who licenses them | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors (Tradesmen Program) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Residential Plumbing tradesman, Class A/B/C Contractor with plumbing specialty |
| When a license is required | Contractor license required for jobs over $1,000 (Class C over $1,000 to under $30,000; Class B $30,000 to under $150,000; Class A $150,000+); plumbers individually need a tradesman license |
The plumbing business needs a contractor license that requires a master plumber, and the individual plumbers need tradesman licenses. A Residential Plumber license (since April 1, 2025) covers residential work only.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Virginia?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Virginia plumbing license lookup run by DPOR.
- 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 DPOR.
What plumbing licenses does Virginia issue?
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
- Residential Plumbing tradesman
- Class A/B/C Contractor with plumbing specialty
How do you get a plumbing license in Virginia?
Licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors (Tradesmen Program). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DPOR source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Virginia city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in Virginia?
The Census Bureau counted 2,736 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Virginia in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Fairfax County | 296 |
|---|---|
| Prince William County | 183 |
| Virginia Beach city | 175 |
| Chesapeake city | 127 |
| Chesterfield County | 125 |
| Loudoun County | 122 |
| Hanover County | 89 |
| Henrico County | 75 |
What do Virginia homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Virginia was built in 1984, 33% of households rent and 73% of homes are single-family houses. 32% of homes heat with utility gas and 57% with electricity, and 3% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Virginia?
- 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: Virginia licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.