Most states and some cities require plumbers to be licensed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes – and homeowners are told to check before they hire, including on this site. Here is what that check looks like from their side, and how to make it easy.
How the check works
In our research, 39 states plus DC license plumbers statewide, 5 split licensing between the state and local governments, and 6 leave it to cities or counties. 41 of the 51 have an official online lookup, which we link from every state page. A homeowner types your name or number and sees the license type and status.
What we found on plumbers’ own websites
Of the 2,991 listings on Plumbers Pages, 1,468 – about 49 percent – show a license number on the business’s own website. When a plumber prints it, our listing shows it, so the homeowner can check it in seconds. The rest leave the homeowner to search by name.
Five easy wins
- Print the license number in your site footer and on your contact page, with the license type (journeyman, master, contractor).
- Link to your state’s lookup so the check is one click.
- Show your street address and a local phone number – homeowners and directories treat toll-free-only sites with suspicion.
- List the towns you serve – our city pages show them.
- Keep your listing current. If something on Plumbers Pages is wrong, update it free.
Not listed yet?
Listings are free and shown A to Z. Add your business, and see plumbing license steps for every state.
Related guides
Sources
Published October 7, 2026 by the Plumbers Pages editorial team. General information, not professional advice. More from the blog · Editorial policy