New Jersey plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
New Jersey plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs)), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,454 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in New Jersey?
| Who licenses them | New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber |
| When a license is required | License required to practice plumbing for others; no dollar threshold |
The Board licenses master plumbers, who renew every two years; ask for the Master Plumber license number. Plumbing work generally needs a permit from your town's construction office.
How do you look up a plumber's license in New Jersey?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the New Jersey plumbing license lookup run by New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs).
- 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 New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs).
What plumbing licenses does New Jersey issue?
- Master Plumber
How do you get a plumbing license in New Jersey?
Licenses are issued by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in New Jersey?
The Census Bureau counted 3,454 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in New Jersey in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Bergen County | 430 |
|---|---|
| Ocean County | 339 |
| Monmouth County | 338 |
| Middlesex County | 277 |
| Morris County | 248 |
| Passaic County | 215 |
| Union County | 207 |
| Essex County | 200 |
What do New Jersey homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in New Jersey was built in 1969, 36% of households rent and 63% of homes are single-family houses. 73% of homes heat with utility gas and 16% with electricity, and 7% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in New Jersey?
- 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: New Jersey licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.