How do you check a plumber's license online?

Use the state's own look-up, where one exists. Washington, California, Texas and Colorado all have official routes linked above. Elsewhere, the FTC suggests asking your state or county government. Search the license number, not just the firm's name.

Can a handyman legally do small plumbing jobs?

That depends on the state and the job. California allows small jobs under $1,000, as of November 2026, if no workers or permits are involved. Plumber, drain company or handyman compares the trades.

What should Washington homeowners look for on the job itself?

Washington Labor & Industries says a plumber's certification badge must be visible on the job. It also lists cash-only demands, large deposits and payments in a person's name as warning signs. The deposit page has more on those payment requests.

Does a license guarantee a refund if the work is bad?

No. California's board says it "does not guarantee complainants will receive restitution," and money recovery points to the courts. See complaint routes for what each office can and cannot do.

Planning / Licensed plumber or Cheaper, no license

Licensed plumber or someone cheaper without a license?

Check a plumber's license first and choose licensed for anything needing a permit or hidden in a wall. Whether someone unlicensed may legally do the job depends on your state; Washington and Illinois regulate plumbers directly, and California sets a small-job limit.

Updated November 4, 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of this page.

Find your line

If the work is inside a building in WashingtonLicensed plumberWashington requires state certification, though many lines outside a building are exempt.
If the work needs a permitLicensed plumberIn Boston, only a licensed trade contractor may apply for a water heater permit.
If the only argument for them is the lower priceLicensed plumberThe FTC warns against automatically choosing the lowest bidder.
If they will not show a license, insurance or a contractLicensed plumberFTC guidance counts that refusal among its warning signs, so move on.
If a California job is under $1,000, no workers, no permitCheaper, no licenseCalifornia's limit allows it, as of November 2026; above it, a license is required.

Red and blue water lines coming through an open wall — Red and blue plastic water lines in an open wall.

What do you actually get for the license?

	Licensed plumber	Cheaper, no license
Can it be checked	Yes, on state look-ups in several states	Usually nothing to look up
Insurance	Ask for proof; Washington's look-up shows it	Ask for proof; New York warns you could be liable
Boston water heater permit	May apply	May not apply
California complaint	Board takes it	Board takes it too, licensed or not
Price	$45 to $200 hourly, 2023 survey summary	No dated figure found
Maryland Guaranty Fund	Licensed home improvement contractors; plumbers unconfirmed	Does not apply

Sources for this table: Washington Labor & Industries, New York AG, City of Boston, CSLB complaints, Maryland MHIC, Bob Vila

When could the cheaper person be a fair choice?

The task touches no pipe at all. Ask whether your state requires a license for it.
A Washington line runs entirely outside the building, where certification is often not required. Still ask about the business license.
The California job crosses $1,000 or needs a permit or workers, as of November 2026. Then a contractor's license is required.
A named license does not match the firm on the estimate. Treat that as a reason to stop and check.

Is the cheaper price worth what it risks?

Hourly rates by skill level appear in Bob Vila's cost article, a 2023 survey summary drawn from HomeAdvisor and last revised that June: $45 to $90 for apprentices, $70 to $120 for journey-level plumbers and $90 to $200 or more for masters. Treat those national numbers as dated, since your area may charge differently. No dated figure was found for unlicensed labor, so the size of the saving is whatever two written bids show.

Wages give a sense of the floor. O*NET lists a 2025 median of $30.67 hourly for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters. That measures a worker's pay, not a customer's bill, since a firm's rate has other costs to carry.

The saving can vanish if someone is hurt or something fails. New York's attorney general warns that "you could be held liable if the contractor does not have the proper insurance." The FTC suggests asking any contractor for proof of insurance.

Gray house with green roof and front steps — A house with a green roof and tall chimney.

Who licenses plumbers where you live?

There is no single national answer. Your state or county government is where the FTC's general advice sends you to verify one. Places where a rule was found:

Washington: plumbers need state certification, and businesses need a contractor license. The Labor & Industries look-up checks registration, bond, insurance and certification. Texas: a state board licenses plumbers and separately registers drain cleaners. California: use the CSLB look-up. Colorado: the State Plumbing Board has a verify link, and local rules may add to it. Illinois: plumbers get licensed through the state health agency, where contractors also register. North Carolina: a state board licenses plumbing contractors. New York: home improvement contractors are licensed locally in New York City and certain counties.

Plumber licensing could not be confirmed for New York specifically, or for Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Arizona and Maryland. Ask your state or county, and see state rules. None of this is legal advice; it is general information.

For one sample of how a firm describes its plumbing services and states licensing, see Central Plumbing & HVAC, which is run by the same team as this site. This mention is no recommendation. The firm serves Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, and few people reading this live there. Washington's Labor & Industries adds a fair caution: a registered contractor reduces risk but "doesn't guarantee that problems won't happen."

Words to use

"What is your license number, and which state or county issued it?"

"Whose name is on that license, and will that person's firm be on the contract?"

"Please send proof of insurance before the start date."

"Will this job need a permit, and who pulls it?"

Also asked

How do you check a plumber's license online?: Use the state's own look-up, where one exists. Washington, California, Texas and Colorado all have official routes linked above. Elsewhere, the FTC suggests asking your state or county government. Search the license number, not just the firm's name.
Can a handyman legally do small plumbing jobs?: That depends on the state and the job. California allows small jobs under $1,000, as of November 2026, if no workers or permits are involved. Plumber, drain company or handyman compares the trades.
What should Washington homeowners look for on the job itself?: Washington Labor & Industries says a plumber's certification badge must be visible on the job. It also lists cash-only demands, large deposits and payments in a person's name as warning signs. The deposit page has more on those payment requests.
Does a license guarantee a refund if the work is bad?: No. California's board says it "does not guarantee complainants will receive restitution," and money recovery points to the courts. See complaint routes for what each office can and cannot do.

Next decision in planningPermit or no permit?

Sources

Plumber Certification, Washington Labor & Industries Washington certification and outside-line exception
Licensed Plumbing Contractor, Washington Labor & Industries The business license Washington requires
AB 2622 press release, CSLB California $1,000 small-job limit
License types, Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners Four license types plus drain cleaner registration
Plumbing, Illinois Department of Public Health Illinois licensing and contractor registration
Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor, New York AG Local licensing across named New York areas
Hiring a Contractor, Washington Labor & Industries Registration reduces risk, guarantees nothing
How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, FTC Confirming licenses and insurance
How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies, FTC Refusing to show paperwork is a red flag