Connecticut plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Connecticut plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (DCP), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,318 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Connecticut?
| Who licenses them | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing Division |
|---|---|
| License types | P-2 Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson, Plumbing contractor license, Limited plumbing licenses (e.g. J-2, P-6, SP-2) |
| When a license is required | License required for plumbing work regardless of job size |
Journeyperson plumbers must work for a properly licensed plumbing contractor, so ask for the contractor's DCP license number and check it on eLicense. Exact contractor-level license codes were not confirmed on the page checked.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Connecticut?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Connecticut plumbing license lookup run by DCP.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DCP.
What plumbing licenses does Connecticut issue?
- P-2 Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson
- Plumbing contractor license
- Limited plumbing licenses (e.g. J-2, P-6, SP-2)
How do you get a plumbing license in Connecticut?
Licenses are issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing Division. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DCP source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Connecticut?
The Census Bureau counted 1,318 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Connecticut in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Capitol Planning Region | 323 |
|---|---|
| Western Connecticut Planning Region | 263 |
| South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 196 |
| Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 180 |
| Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 98 |
| Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 95 |
| Northwest Hills Planning Region | 76 |
| Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 57 |
What do Connecticut homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Connecticut was built in 1967, 34% of households rent and 65% of homes are single-family houses. 36% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity, and 37% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Connecticut?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Connecticut licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.