Plumbing license requirements by state
What your state asks of a plumber before the first paid job. Pick a state below for the license and what it costs, the least insurance you must carry, whether you need a bond, when to charge sales tax, and the deadlines that protect your right to be paid.
| State | License you need | Insurance you must carry | Workers' comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | R-37 Plumbing, Including Solar (residential)Renews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredas soon as you regularly employ one worker |
| California | C-36 Plumbing ContractorRenews every two years for an active license | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredas soon as you have one employee |
| Colorado | Residential PlumberRenews every two years today | $300,000plus $100,000 for property damage | Required |
| Florida | Certified Plumbing ContractorRenews biennial | $100,000plus $25,000 for property damage | Requiredas soon as you have one employee (the rule for construction trades) |
| Georgia | Journeyman PlumberRenews every two years | — | Requiredonce you regularly employ three or more people, full time or part time |
| Illinois | Apprentice PlumberRenews every year | $100,000plus $50,000 for property damage | Required |
| Indiana | Plumbing ContractorRenews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredas soon as you have an employee |
| Maryland | Apprentice Plumber/Gas FitterRenews every two years | $300,000plus $100,000 for property damage | Required |
| Massachusetts | Apprentice PlumberRenews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| Michigan | Plumbing ContractorRenews every 3 years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| Missouri | Master Plumber certificate (Springfield)Renews every year | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| Nevada | C-1 Plumbing and Heating contractorRenews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| New Jersey | Licensed Master PlumberRenews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredas soon as anyone other than the owner works for the business for pay |
| New York | Licensed Master Plumber (New York City)Renews every three years | $1,000,000liability, at least | Required |
| North Carolina | Plumbing Contractor, Class IRenews annual | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredonce you have three or more employees on a regular basis |
| Ohio | Plumbing Contractor (state license, also called a master license)Renews annual | $500,000liability, at least | Required |
| Oregon | CCB contractor license (the business license every contractor needs)Renews every two years | $300,000liability, at least | Requiredas soon as you pay one worker who is not an independent contractor |
| Pennsylvania | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, statewideRenews every two years | $50,000plus $50,000 for property damage | Requiredas soon as you have one employee, full time or part time |
| South Carolina | Mechanical Contractor, plumbing classification (PB), Contractor's Licensing BoardRenews every two years | — | Requiredonly once you cross both thresholds |
| Tennessee | Contractor License, classification CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping)Renews every two years | $100,000liability, at least | Requiredas soon as you have one employee |
| Texas | Journeyman PlumberRenews annual | $300,000liability, at least | Your choicenot required in this state |
| Utah | General Plumbing Contractor (P200)Renews every two years | $1,000,000liability, at least | Requiredif you have employees |
| Virginia | Class A Contractor license, specialty Plumbing (PLB)Renews not published | — | Requiredonce you regularly have more than two workers, part-time or full-time |
| Washington | Plumbing Contractor License | $200,000plus $50,000 for property damage | Requiredas soon as you hire one employee |
| Wisconsin | Plumbing ApprenticeRenews annual | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
A state appears here the day a person has checked every figure on its plumbing page. Not seeing yours yet? It is on the list.