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New York has no state plumber license

New York does not issue a state license for plumbers.1 Cities and counties set their own rules; this page lists what New York City (Department of Buildings): Master Plumber license, New York City (Department of Buildings): Journeyman Plumber registration, Buffalo (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4), Rochester (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4), Yonkers (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4) and Syracuse (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4) require.

Last checked · 6 official sources

On this page
  1. Is there a New York plumber license?
  2. City and county licenses
  3. Other rules for plumbers in New York
  4. Check a license or report a problem
  5. Laws and rules
  6. Plumber licenses in other states

Is there a New York plumber license?

No. New York does not license plumbers at the state level.1

  • NYC: the master plumber business supervision rule does not apply to minor alterations or ordinary repairs, or to utility gas service and meter piping work.2
The official wording

“…it shall not be lawful in any city of this state for a person to conduct such trade, business or calling, unless he shall have first obtained a certificate of competency from such board of the city in which he conducts or proposes to conduct such business.”1

New York State Senate (Open Legislation, official consolidated laws)

City and county licenses

New York State does not license plumbers. State law (General City Law Article 4) continues an examining board of plumbers in each city, and no one may conduct business as an employing or master plumber in a city without that city board's certificate of competency; the article does not apply to New York City (which licenses under its own Administrative Code) or to Binghamton, Schenectady, Elmira, Hornell, Olean, Poughkeepsie and Cortland.1

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
New York City (Department of Buildings): Master Plumber licenseNYC Master Plumber license (DOB): at least 18, read and write English, good moral character and fit; pass the DOB written exam ($585) and practical exam ($530); 7 years' experience within the last 10 under a licensed master plumber including 2 years as a registered journeyman plumber (shorter routes for engineering graduates and NYS architects/engineers); background investigation; must own at least 51% of a master plumber business with an NYC place of business and insurance. License $200 + seal $50; renews every 3 years for $150 + $75 seal with a 7-hour CE course.3Official page3
New York City (Department of Buildings): Journeyman Plumber registrationNYC Journeyman Plumber registration (DOB): at least 18; 5 years' full-time plumbing experience under a licensed master plumber (at least 1 year in NYC), or a NYS registered training program plus 1 year in NYC; $50 fee; never expires. It is not a license: the holder may work only under a licensed master plumber.4Official page4
Buffalo (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4)State law requires anyone conducting business as an employing or master plumber in Buffalo to pass an examination before the city examining board of plumbers and hold its certificate of competency, and to register with the city; registration certificates expire December 31 each year.1–
Rochester (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4)State law requires anyone conducting business as an employing or master plumber in Rochester to pass an examination before the city examining board of plumbers and hold its certificate of competency, and to register with the city; registration certificates expire December 31 each year.1–
Yonkers (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4)State law requires anyone conducting business as an employing or master plumber in Yonkers to pass an examination before the city examining board of plumbers and hold its certificate of competency, and to register with the city; registration certificates expire December 31 each year.1–
Syracuse (city examining board of plumbers under General City Law Art. 4)State law requires anyone conducting business as an employing or master plumber in Syracuse to pass an examination before the city examining board of plumbers and hold its certificate of competency, and to register with the city; registration certificates expire December 31 each year.1–

Other rules for plumbers in New York

Minimum age
18 years old2
Education or training
No required coursework. In NYC a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or engineering technology shortens the master plumber experience to 5 years within 7 (2 in NYC); a NYS registered training program plus 1 year in NYC qualifies for journeyman registration.2
Experience
At least 7 years2
NYC Master Plumber: at least 7 years' experience within the 10 years before applying, installing and planning/designing plumbing systems under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed master plumber in the US, including at least 2 years as a registered journeyman plumber.2
Supervision: Under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed master plumber; every supervisor signs the Experience Verification Form and Social Security earnings records are required.5
License you must hold first: At least 2 years as an NYC registered journeyman plumber (main route).2
Substitute: NYS-licensed architect or engineer: 3 years within 5 (1 in NYC) under a licensed master plumber.2
Substitute: Plumbing work before entering the US armed services: service time may be credited up to one-third of the required experience.2
Experience
At least 5 years2
NYC Journeyman Plumber registration: 5 years' full-time plumbing experience under a licensed master plumber (or equivalent), at least 1 year in NYC, or completion of a NYS training program in plumbing.2
Exam
NYC Master Plumber written and practical examinations (DOB)5
Given by: Exam administrator named by DOB; the Candidate Information Bulletin is hosted by CPS HR (link.cpshr.us/NYC_DOB_Exams).5
Passing score: 70%5
When you can take it: Apply and pay through the DOB NOW License Exam Application/Payment function; the exam administrator emails scheduling instructions within 2-3 weeks.5
Written exam: multiple-choice on NYC Construction Codes, rules and regulations; no reference materials ($585).5
Practical exam, taken after passing the written exam ($530).5
Time limit: 24 months from the written-exam notification to pass the practical; then 1 year from the practical notification to file the background application.5
Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
Good moral character and fitness; DOB background investigation with documents notarized within 90 days, a physician-completed physical examination form (LIC62) and reconsideration on request.5
Social Security number
NYC: Social Security card and Social Security earnings history are required.5
Insurance
NYC master plumber businesses must carry general liability, workers' compensation and disability insurance.5
Business requirements
NYC: only a master plumber business may conduct a plumbing contractor business or use "plumber"/"plumbing" in its name; licensed master plumbers must own at least 51% and the business needs an NYC place of business in a commercial zone.2
Business requirements
Other cities (General City Law): a corporation may conduct plumbing business if officers holding at least 51% of the stock hold the city board's certificate of competency.6
FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Exam fee$5855New York City Department of BuildingsNYC master plumber written exam
Exam fee$5305New York City Department of BuildingsNYC master plumber practical exam
Initial license fee$2002New York City Department of BuildingsNYC master plumber license (3-year term)
Seal Fee$502New York City Department of BuildingsNYC master plumber seal, initial
Registration fee$502New York City Department of BuildingsNYC journeyman plumber registration (no expiration)
Duplicate or replacement license$502New York City Department of BuildingsNYC master plumber license or journeyman registration reissuance

Each line is a separate charge, listed by the city or county named in its notes; they are not added up.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in New York, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in New York is on the New York license lookup page.

Look up a license
nyc.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Plumber licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. General City Law § 45New York State Senate (Open Legislation, official consolidated laws)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. NYC Administrative Code Title 28, Chapter 4: Licensing and Registration of Businesses, Trades and…New York City Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Master Plumbers & Master Fire Suppression Piping ContractorNew York City Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Obtain a Journeyman Plumber/Fire Suppression Piping Installer RegistrationNew York City Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Obtain a Master Plumber LicenseNew York City Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  6. General City Law § 45-aNew York State Senate (Open Legislation, official consolidated laws)Checked November 7, 2026