Pennsylvania plumber license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
Sources verifiedLast verified 2026-10-24
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Plumber and plumbing-contractor trade licensing is local. Contact the municipality where the work will occur for its requirements.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Some of Pennsylvania’s 2,562 municipalities have established local licensure or certification requirements for contractors or construction trades people. Typically, these requirements pertain to home improvement contractors, electrical contractors (or electricians), and plumbing contractors (or plumbers). Since the Commonwealth has no jurisdiction in this matter, the Department maintains no records concerning municipalities that have established licensure or certification requirements. This information can only be obtained by contacting the municipality where construction work will occur.Official source
Agency guidance
Local plumbing licensing standards based on testing or specific training are preserved by the Pennsylvania home-improvement law's exception for standards in effect on July 1, 2009.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Political subdivisions in Pennsylvania cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors after July 1, 2009, with the limited exception of licensing standards that are in effect on July 1, 2009, with respect to electricians, plumbers and other trades where licensing is conditioned on requirements of testing or possession of certificates obtained through specific training in electricity, plumbing or other trades.Official source
Agency guidance
Philadelphia's journeyman plumber license permits plumbing work under a licensed master plumber.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
This license allows you to do plumbing work under a licensed master plumber.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Municipal licensing authorities (local plumbing licensing).
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Some of Pennsylvania’s 2,562 municipalities have established local licensure or certification requirements for contractors or construction trades people. Typically, these requirements pertain to home improvement contractors, electrical contractors (or electricians), and plumbing contractors (or plumbers). Since the Commonwealth has no jurisdiction in this matter, the Department maintains no records concerning municipalities that have established licensure or certification requirements.
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Qualifications: Not verified yet. Confirm with the official agency.
Review fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Not verified yet
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (5)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Board
Some of Pennsylvania’s 2,562 municipalities have established local licensure or certification requirements for contractors or construction trades people. Typically, these requirements pertain to home improvement contractors, electrical contractors (or electricians), and plumbing contractors (or plumbers). Since the Commonwealth has no jurisdiction in this matter, the Department maintains no records concerning municipalities that have established licensure or certification requirements.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Agency guidance
Some of Pennsylvania’s 2,562 municipalities have established local licensure or certification requirements for contractors or construction trades people. Typically, these requirements pertain to home improvement contractors, electrical contractors (or electricians), and plumbing contractors (or plumbers). Since the Commonwealth has no jurisdiction in this matter, the Department maintains no records concerning municipalities that have established licensure or certification requirements. This information can only be obtained by contacting the municipality where construction work will occur.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Agency guidance
Political subdivisions in Pennsylvania cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors after July 1, 2009, with the limited exception of licensing standards that are in effect on July 1, 2009, with respect to electricians, plumbers and other trades where licensing is conditioned on requirements of testing or possession of certificates obtained through specific training in electricity, plumbing or other trades.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Agency guidance
This license allows you to do plumbing work under a licensed master plumber.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (3)
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/contractor-licensing
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/businesses-and-organizations/home-improvement-contractor-registration/frequently-asked-questions/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/trade-licenses/get-a-journeyman-plumber-license/
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.