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Do you need a plumbing license in Pennsylvania?

What our research found about plumbing licensing in Pennsylvania, 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.

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Short answer

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

What our research found

Pennsylvania licenses plumbers only at the local level. Example, City of Philadelphia Master Plumber's License: renewal fee $253 (license fee $303); renewals more than 60 days late are charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since expiration; renewals through the eCLIPSE portal; no continuing education requirement listed on the city's page. Master plumbers doing residential home improvement work of $5,000 or more per year must also hold state HIC registration. Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, municipalities cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors (exception: trade licensing in effect on July 1, 2009 that depends on testing or specific training, such as electricians and plumbers). Example, Allegheny County (includes Pittsburgh): the Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program licenses master plumbers, renewed annually on the plumber's date of birth for $375 (journeyman $125).

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

Plumbing - no statewide license (municipal only; e.g. Philadelphia Master Plumber)

Local / county license

Remind me before this expires

No official link on file. Check with the board.

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
No statewide reciprocity. Philadelphia accepts a similar authorization from another state or local jurisdiction in place of one year as a Philadelphia journeyman, subject to L&I approval.
Notes

Pennsylvania licenses plumbers only at the local level. Example, City of Philadelphia Master Plumber's License: renewal fee $253 (license fee $303); renewals more than 60 days late are charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since expiration; renewals through the eCLIPSE portal; no continuing education requirement listed on the city's page. Master plumbers doing residential home improvement work of $5,000 or more per year must also hold state HIC registration. Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, municipalities cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors (exception: trade licensing in effect on July 1, 2009 that depends on testing or specific training, such as electricians and plumbers). Example, Allegheny County (includes Pittsburgh): the Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program licenses master plumbers, renewed annually on the plumber's date of birth for $375 (journeyman $125).

Confidence: HighConfirmed from official rule textLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (3)

Track your local licenses

Add the city or county licenses, bonds and insurance you hold in Pennsylvania and we will email you 90, 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each one expires.

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Pennsylvania Plumbing licensing questions

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

Do you need a state plumbing license in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania does not issue a state plumbing license. Licensing is handled by cities and counties. Pennsylvania licenses plumbers only at the local level. Example, City of Philadelphia Master Plumber's License: renewal fee $253 (license fee $303); renewals more than 60 days late are charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since expiration; renewals through the eCLIPSE portal; no continuing education requirement listed on the city's page. Master plumbers doing residential home improvement work of $5,000 or more per year must also hold state HIC registration. Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, municipalities cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors (exception: trade licensing in effect on July 1, 2009 that depends on testing or specific training, such as electricians and plumbers). Example, Allegheny County (includes Pittsburgh): the Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program licenses master plumbers, renewed annually on the plumber's date of birth for $375 (journeyman $125). Check with the city or county where the job is before you start work.

Does Pennsylvania accept plumbing licenses from other states?

No statewide reciprocity. Philadelphia accepts a similar authorization from another state or local jurisdiction in place of one year as a Philadelphia journeyman, subject to L&I approval. Check with the issuing board 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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