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Do you need a plumbing license in New York?

What our research found about plumbing licensing in New York, and what to check with the city or county where you work.

Full rule details
Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Track my local licensesHow reminders work

Short answer

New York does not issue a state plumbing license. Licensing is handled by cities and counties.

What our research found

$225 = $150 license + $75 seal. Journeyman plumber registration has no expiration ($50).

New York State does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Licensing, where it exists, is set by each city, county or town (for example NYC Department of Buildings, Suffolk County and Westchester County), and a license from one jurisdiction does not transfer to another. State exceptions: the NYS Department of State licenses home inspectors and security or fire alarm installers. Rules must be checked for each place where the contractor works. The NYS Department of State issues no plumbing credential. Suffolk County (Code chapter 563, Article XI) and Westchester County license plumbers; Westchester licenses expire December 31 and master plumber renewal applications are due 60 days before expiration (received after October 31 incurs a late fee); Trades Licensing Division 914-995-2657.

Who handles it, per our sources: NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit

What to check locally

  1. Call the building or permit office of the city or county where the job is. Ask whether it needs a local plumbing license or a contractor registration before you pull a permit.
  2. Ask what keeps that local license current: the renewal date, the fee, any bond or insurance certificate, and any continuing education.
  3. Check each city or county you work in on its own. Each one sets its own rules, fees and renewal dates.
  4. Read the notes above for anything the state still requires, such as a business registration, a tax license or a license for related trade work.
Track local licenses, bonds and insurance dates

NYC Master Plumber / Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor

Master Plumber · Local / county license · NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit

Remind me before this expires
Renew on the official siteBoard phone: (212) 393-2259
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing education
7 hours
Show CE rulesOne 7-hour DOB-approved continuing education course completed during the 1 year immediately before renewal (1 RCNY 104-06); the original Certificate of Completion is uploaded. Also the LIC62 physician exam form completed within 90 days before renewal.
Deadline rule
3-year license. Submit the renewal in DOB NOW 30 to 90 days before the expiration date on the license card to avoid a late fee.
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
Late renewals are accepted with a late fee up to 1 year after expiration.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $225
Late fee
About $275 total (1 to 30 days late, includes about $50 late fee); about $325 total (31 days to 1 year late, includes about $100 late fee).
Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)Late renewal is allowed up to 1 year after expiration with the late fee; DOB does not publish a renewal path for licenses expired longer than that, so contact the DOB Licensing Unit.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Per DOB licensing insurance guidelines: commercial general liability minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence (original notarized broker certification), workers' compensation (forms C105.2, U26.3 or GSI 105.2) and disability (forms DB-120.1 or DB-120.2). A CE-200 exemption affidavit is accepted only if the company has no employees (not allowed for General Contractor or Safety Registration applicants).
Reciprocity
None.
Notes

$225 = $150 license + $75 seal. Journeyman plumber registration has no expiration ($50).

Confidence: HighConfirmed from official rule textLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (6)

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Plumbing contractor (outside NYC)

Local / county license · NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit

Remind me before this expires
Renew on the official siteBoard phone: (212) 393-2259

We did not find online renewal for this license, so the link may open the board site.

Renewal cycle
Not published, check with the board
Continuing education
Set by your city or county
Deadline rule
Not published, check with the board
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
Not published, check with the board

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
Check the official site for the fee.
Late fee
Check the official site for the fee.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Not required
Reciprocity
New York has no statewide contractor-license reciprocity: a license from one city or county does not transfer to another.
Notes

New York State does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Licensing, where it exists, is set by each city, county or town (for example NYC Department of Buildings, Suffolk County and Westchester County), and a license from one jurisdiction does not transfer to another. State exceptions: the NYS Department of State licenses home inspectors and security or fire alarm installers. Rules must be checked for each place where the contractor works. The NYS Department of State issues no plumbing credential. Suffolk County (Code chapter 563, Article XI) and Westchester County license plumbers; Westchester licenses expire December 31 and master plumber renewal applications are due 60 days before expiration (received after October 31 incurs a late fee); Trades Licensing Division 914-995-2657.

Confidence: MediumMostly confirmed from official pages, some details are older or partly confirmedLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (4)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the New York Plumbing continuing education page.

New York Plumbing licensing questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Do you need a state plumbing license in New York?

No. New York does not issue a state plumbing license. Licensing is handled by cities and counties. $225 = $150 license + $75 seal. Journeyman plumber registration has no expiration ($50). Check with the city or county where the job is before you start work.

Who handles plumbing licensing in New York?

Our records point to: NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit. Rules differ from one city or county to the next, so check with the one where the job is.

When does a New York plumbing license expire?

NYC Master Plumber / Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor: renews every 3 years. 3-year license. Submit the renewal in DOB NOW 30 to 90 days before the expiration date on the license card to avoid a late fee. Check with NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a New York plumbing license need?

NYC Master Plumber / Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor: 7 hours per renewal. Plumbing contractor (outside NYC): no CE required. Check with NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a New York plumbing license?

Late renewals are accepted with a late fee up to 1 year after expiration. Check with NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a New York plumbing license?

NYC Master Plumber / Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor: About $225. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a New York plumbing license expires?

About $275 total (1 to 30 days late, includes about $50 late fee); about $325 total (31 days to 1 year late, includes about $100 late fee). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does New York accept plumbing licenses from other states?

None. Check with NYC Department of Buildings - Licensing & Exams Unit before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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