Pennsylvania Plumber License Requirements
Official classification: No statewide license — Philadelphia Master Plumber License · Issued by the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.
🔧 PlumberPA ✔ Verified 2026-07-09
In Pennsylvania, plumbers must hold the No statewide license — Philadelphia Master Plumber License, issued by the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed plumber in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania licenses plumbers at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.
- Start with your city, not the state. Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
- Carry the insurance your city requires. $500,000 per occurrence (Master Plumber)
- Post any local bond. —
- Register and pay the local fees. $50 Master; $25 Journeyman; $20 Apprentice (City of Philadelphia)
- Renew on your city's schedule. Annual.
Pennsylvania plumber license lookup
To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Pennsylvania — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- Apprentice Plumber — Entry-level registration; must be employed by a licensed Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber — Mid-level license; requires 4 years as a registered apprentice in Philadelphia
- Master Plumber — Contractor-level license required to run a plumbing business in Philadelphia
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | Master: 1 year as a registered Journeyman Plumber in Philadelphia (or approved equivalent from another jurisdiction). Journeyman: 4 years as a registered Apprentice Plumber. Apprentice: employment by a licensed Master Plumber with written certification. |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $50 Master; $25 Journeyman; $20 Apprentice (City of Philadelphia) |
| License fee | $303 Master; $126 Journeyman; $25 Apprentice (City of Philadelphia) |
| Renewal fee | $253 Master; $126 Journeyman; $25 Apprentice per year (City of Philadelphia) |
| Renewal period | Annual |
| Continuing education | — |
| Bond required | — |
| Liability insurance | $500,000 per occurrence (Master Plumber) |
| Property damage | — |
| Workers' comp | $100,000 per accident / $100,000 per employee / $500,000 policy limit (Master Plumber) |
| Background check | — |
| Credit requirement | — |
| Reciprocity | None |
| Processing time | 5 business days for online applications; same-day review available in person at the Permit and License Center |
Exams
| Philadelphia Master Plumber Examination | Provider: International Code Council (ICC) · Passing: Not published · Fee: Not published |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Journeyman Plumber Examination | Provider: International Code Council (ICC) · Passing: Not published · Fee: Not published |
Local / municipal notes
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber license — these are City of Philadelphia requirements. Applicants must be current on Philadelphia taxes and hold a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID and Commercial Activity License. Other PA municipalities set their own plumbing licensing rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Pennsylvania plumber license cost?
Application: $50 Master; $25 Journeyman; $20 Apprentice (City of Philadelphia). License: $303 Master; $126 Journeyman; $25 Apprentice (City of Philadelphia). Renewal: $253 Master; $126 Journeyman; $25 Apprentice per year (City of Philadelphia).
How do I look up a plumber license in Pennsylvania?
Search the official license database at eclipse.phila.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do plumbers in Pennsylvania need a surety bond?
—
What experience is required for a Pennsylvania plumber license?
Master: 1 year as a registered Journeyman Plumber in Philadelphia (or approved equivalent from another jurisdiction). Journeyman: 4 years as a registered Apprentice Plumber. Apprentice: employment by a licensed Master Plumber with written certification.
Is insurance required for plumbers in Pennsylvania?
Liability: $500,000 per occurrence (Master Plumber) Workers' compensation: $100,000 per accident / $100,000 per employee / $500,000 policy limit (Master Plumber)
How often must a Pennsylvania plumber license be renewed?
Annual. Continuing education: —
Official sources
phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/trade-licenses/get-a-master-plumbers-license
phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/trade-licenses/get-a-journeyman-plumber-license
phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/trade-licenses/get-a-plumber-apprentice-license
eclipse.phila.gov/phillylmsprod/pub/lms/Default.aspx?PosseMenuName=PC_Search