Pennsylvania has no statewide plumbing license. Here is how to get licensed through Philadelphia, Allegheny County or your local authority, step by step, with fees, exams and HICPA registration.
Getting a plumbing license in Pennsylvania starts with one fact: the commonwealth itself does not issue one. Plumbing licensing in Pennsylvania happens locally, through cities, counties and municipal plumbing authorities, and the two biggest programs cover the state's two largest cities: Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
At a glance
- Statewide license: Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide plumbing license.
- Who licenses: L&I in Philadelphia, ACHD in Allegheny County, or the local code office elsewhere.
- Time: four years of apprenticeship, then one year (Philadelphia) or two years (Allegheny County) as a journeyman before the master exam.
- Philadelphia master fee: $303, renewed annually at $253.
- Statewide registration: HICPA registration with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General if residential home improvement work totals $5,000 or more per year.
If you want to become a licensed plumber in PA, the first job is figuring out which jurisdiction governs the place you will work. This guide walks the Philadelphia and Allegheny County ladders step by step, with the fees each authority publishes, shows how a city like Reading handles it, covers the one statewide registration that applies to residential work, and explains where the license connects to running a plumbing company. For the broader business rules, see our Pennsylvania contractor license guide and our national contractor license guide. We cover the licensing process, not exam preparation.
How to get a plumbing license in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says the commonwealth "currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors," and that local requirements typically cover home improvement, electrical and plumbing contractors. Pennsylvania has 2,562 municipalities, and the Department keeps no list of which ones license plumbers.
State law protects those local programs. Section 12 of the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act stops municipalities from separately licensing home improvement contractors, but it expressly leaves in place existing licensing for plumbers and other trades where the license depends on testing or trade training.
So the real question is "which local authority governs the address where I will work?" For many plumbers, that is Philadelphia or Allegheny County.
Pennsylvania plumbing licenses at a glance
Both major programs use the same three rungs, but the experience rules differ.
| License level | Philadelphia (L&I) | Allegheny County (ACHD) |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | Registered with L&I, employed by a master | Card on enrolling in apprenticeship |
| Journeyman | 4 years as apprentice, then ICC exam | 4 years or 8,000 hours, then county exam |
| Master | 1 year as journeyman, then ICC Master exam | 2 years as journeyman, then county exam |
| Out of area | Equivalent authorization, L&I approval | Nonresident exam, temporary reciprocal license |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual, within 30 days of birthday |
Notes on the table above:
- Philadelphia apprentices must be employed by a licensed master plumber and at least 16 years old.
- Allegheny County apprentices must register within 30 days of enrolling and may work only while a journeyman is present.
- Allegheny County journeymen also need 576 classroom hours at an accredited school.
- Philadelphia out of area applicants need authorization equal to or greater than Philadelphia's own, subject to L&I approval; Allegheny County issues a temporary reciprocal license for each permit.
- Allegheny County renewals fall within 30 days of the license holder's birthday, not a fixed calendar date.
Philadelphia plumbing license
Philadelphia licenses plumbers through the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) under Philadelphia Code Section 9-1003. Only a licensed master, a licensed journeyman, or a registered apprentice working under a licensed plumber may perform plumbing work in the city, with narrow exceptions for helpers doing unskilled labor under a licensed plumber and for minor plumbing repairs as the code defines them.
Apprentice. You work as an employee of a licensed master plumber, who signs your employment statement. L&I is direct: the apprentice license "does not allow you to operate a business." It costs $25 and renews at $25 a year.
Journeyman. You need at least four years registered as a Philadelphia apprentice, or equivalent authorization L&I approves, then a passing score on the ICC Journeyman Plumber Examination and an application within 12 months. The license fee is $126, including a $25 non refundable application fee, renewed at $126 a year.
Master. The master license is the one a plumbing company is built on. You must:
- Have been a registered Philadelphia journeyman plumber for at least one year, or show similar authorization from a jurisdiction with equal or greater requirements, subject to L&I approval. An applicant who never held Philadelphia licenses certifies five years of plumbing construction experience, at least one at the journeyman level.
- Pass the Philadelphia Master Plumber Examination, administered by the International Code Council (ICC), and apply within 12 months.
- Hold a Business Income and Receipts Tax account and a Commercial Activity License, and be current on City taxes.
- Carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in general liability, $300,000 in automobile liability, and workers' compensation of $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee and a $500,000 policy limit.
The master license fee is $303, with a $50 non refundable application fee applied toward it, and it must be renewed annually at $253. Renewing more than 60 days late adds 1.5 percent of the license fee per month. Apply through eCLIPSE, where L&I reviews applications within five business days, or at the Permit and License Center, 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Permits. The permit application can come from the property owner or an authorized agent (a licensed master plumber, a Pennsylvania licensed design professional, an attorney or a licensed expeditor). Either way, a licensed master plumber must oversee all the plumbing work, with an active license, current City taxes and insurance on file. The filing fee is $100, applied toward the permit.
Section 9-1003 also says only a licensed master may advertise or display the sign of plumbing, every master must keep a bona fide place of business, and no master may permit his or her name to be used by another person to obtain a permit or do work.
Pittsburgh and Allegheny County plumbing license
In Pittsburgh and the rest of Allegheny County, plumbers are licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Plumbing Program, which enforces the county's own plumbing code, Article XV, and runs about 40,000 inspections a year from 2121 Noblestown Road, Suite 207, Pittsburgh (412-578-8036). The license number ACHD issues is called a Health Permit Number.
Apprentice. You receive an apprentice card when you enroll in an accredited apprenticeship and must register within 30 days of starting. You may work only while a journeyman is present, and cards expire September 30.
Journeyman. Article XV requires a four year apprenticeship, stated as four years or 8,000 hours under a registered master, plus 576 hours of training at an accredited school and a passing exam. An apprentice with three years and six months may test early if the fourth year will be done within six months of passing. The exam is given in spring and fall and costs $133; the license renews on your birthday for $125.
Master. You need at least two years as a licensed journeyman and a passing master exam, which is also given twice a year at $265 per attempt. The master license renews on your birthday for $375. Once licensed as a master you cannot revert to journeyman, and your work vehicles must show "Registered Master Plumber" or your H.P. number in letters at least three inches high.
Apply through ACHD's Accela Citizen Access Portal with an electronic notarized work statement, and check the county licensing page for the next exam date and deadline.
Article XV also limits who can do the work: a licensed master, a licensed journeyman or registered apprentice employed by a master, or a bona fide owner living in an existing single family home.
Pennsylvania plumbing license fees
There is no single number, because there is no single license. These are the fees each authority publishes today.
| Authority | Item | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia L&I | Apprentice license (annual) | $25 |
| Philadelphia L&I | Journeyman license (annual, includes $25 application fee) | $126 |
| Philadelphia L&I | Master license application fee (applied to license) | $50 |
| Philadelphia L&I | Master license, first year | $303 |
| Philadelphia L&I | Master license renewal (annual) | $253 |
| Philadelphia L&I | Plumbing permit filing fee (applied to permit) | $100 |
| ICC via Pearson VUE | Philadelphia journeyman or master exam, each | $115 |
| Allegheny County Health Department | Journeyman exam | $133 |
| Allegheny County Health Department | Journeyman renewal (annual) | $125 |
| Allegheny County Health Department | Master exam, per attempt | $265 |
| Allegheny County Health Department | Master renewal (annual) | $375 |
| City of Reading | Master plumber license (annual) | $90 |
| City of Reading | Journeyman plumber license (annual) | $50 |
| PA Office of Attorney General | Home improvement contractor registration (two years) | $100 |
Beyond fees, the real cost is time: four years of apprenticeship, then one year (Philadelphia) or two years (Allegheny County) as a journeyman before the master exam.
The plumbing exams
Philadelphia uses ICC exams scheduled through Pearson VUE. The ICC's Philadelphia bulletin, published March 15, 2026, tests both against the 2018 Philadelphia Plumbing Code.
| ICC exam | Questions | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 249 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Master Plumber | 100 multiple choice | Closed book |
| 250 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Journeyman Plumber | 75 multiple choice | Closed book |
| ICC exam | Time limit | Largest content area |
|---|---|---|
| 249 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Master Plumber | 4 hours | Plan Reading and Analysis, 30 percent |
| 250 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Journeyman Plumber | 3 hours | Plan Reading and Analysis, 25 percent |
Other content areas include fixtures, traps and cleanouts, drainage, venting and water distribution. Passing does not license you by itself; you still apply to L&I within 12 months. Allegheny County develops and conducts its own exams under Article XV, and Reading uses the ICC national standard exams, G25-N for journeyman and G24-N for master.
Other Pennsylvania cities and counties
Beyond Philadelphia and Allegheny County, many Pennsylvania cities and boroughs run their own plumbing programs, and some smaller municipalities require little or no separate local plumbing license, relying on permits and code inspection instead. The City of Reading shows how a mid sized city does it:
- Master: a valid journeyman license, two years employed as a journeyman by a registered master, and the ICC G24-N exam.
- Journeyman: four years of approved apprenticeship with at least 216 hours of related instruction per year, or eight years under a registered master, plus the ICC G25-N exam.
- Apprentice: employed by a registered master and registered with an apprenticeship program.
Working in Bucks County, Chester, Columbia County, Pittston or anywhere else? Call the municipal code office for that exact address before you bid, because the borough next door can have a different rule.
Reciprocity and moving between jurisdictions
There is no statewide reciprocity, because there is no state license. A Philadelphia master plumber license is not automatically valid in Allegheny County, and neither is automatically valid in a borough with its own program. You license where the work is. Some jurisdictions do recognize others case by case:
- Philadelphia accepts similar authorization from a jurisdiction with equal or greater requirements, subject to L&I approval.
- Allegheny County lets a nonresident licensed under equivalent procedures sit for its exam, and issues a temporary reciprocal license for each permit.
- Reading issues reciprocal licenses for an equivalent license from a first, second or third class city; its 2023 form lists Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Scranton, Lancaster and Pittsburgh.
How to become a licensed plumber in PA, step by step
- Pick your jurisdiction. L&I in Philadelphia, ACHD in Allegheny County, or the local code office elsewhere.
- Get hired by a licensed master plumber. Every program requires apprentices to work for one.
- Register as an apprentice. With L&I in Philadelphia; with ACHD within 30 days in Allegheny County.
- Log your hours. Four years of work (8,000 hours in Allegheny County), plus 576 classroom hours where the county requires them.
- Pass the journeyman exam. ICC exam 250 in Philadelphia, the ACHD exam in Allegheny County, ICC G25-N in Reading.
- Work as a journeyman. One year in Philadelphia, two years in Allegheny County and Reading.
- Pass the master exam and apply. In Philadelphia, add the Commercial Activity License, tax account and insurance certificates.
- Register under HICPA if your residential home improvement work reaches $5,000 a year.
- Renew on time. Annually in Philadelphia; within 30 days of your birthday in Allegheny County.
Want the application done for you?
Putting together a Philadelphia or Allegheny County plumbing license application means pulling together years of employment statements, exam results, tax and insurance records, and the authority's own forms, then getting all of it past L&I or ACHD review on the first try. The Licensing Company's License Application Processing service does that work alongside you:
- An eligibility audit before anything is filed, so you know where you stand first.
- A document checklist, and we chase the pieces with you.
- Every required form prepared and reviewed line by line.
- Submission the way the licensing authority requires.
- The authority's paperwork questions answered and resubmitted, free, until it decides.
It is a flat $999 per state application, paid up front. State and local fees, exam fees, background checks and fingerprinting are paid to the authority, not to us. We do not promise approval, we do not promise a timeline, and we do not sit the exam for you; only the licensing authority decides.
Call 615-219-2110 or start at License Application Processing.
The statewide layer that still applies: HICPA registration
Under Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), Act 132 of 2008, a contractor, including a plumber, who performs residential home improvement work totaling $5,000 or more per year must register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The statute excludes a person whose home improvements totaled less than $5,000 in the previous taxable year.
- Fee: $100, non refundable, for new and renewal applications.
- Term: two years, renewed biennially.
- Insurance: at least $50,000 of personal injury liability coverage and $50,000 of property damage coverage.
- Disclosure: your HIC number goes on advertisements, contracts, estimates and proposals.
- Penalties: civil penalties of $1,000 or more for unregistered contractors.
The Attorney General's online registration system became operational April 24, 2026. HIC registration is a consumer protection registration, not a competency license, and it does not replace the local Philadelphia or Allegheny County master plumber license. If you do residential remodels or improvements, you likely need both.
Is a statewide plumbing license coming?
Not yet. Senate Bill 395 of the 2025 to 2026 session, sponsored by Senator Frank Farry, would create a State Board of Plumbing Contractors and statewide apprentice, journeyman and master licensure. Its only recorded action is referral to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on March 20, 2025. Until a bill passes, local licensing is the law.
Running a plumbing company: where the qualifier comes in
In both Philadelphia and Allegheny County, a licensed master plumber must stand behind the plumbing business. Article XV says no one other than a licensed master may engage in the business of plumbing, and any firm or corporation in the business must have at least one member holding a valid master license, registered with the Department along with the firm's officers. In Philadelphia, only a licensed master may advertise plumbing, and a master must oversee every permitted job. A plumbing company without a licensed master in that seat cannot legally operate in either jurisdiction.
That is the qualifier structure that runs through contractor licensing nationwide: a licensed individual has to hold, and be responsible for, the company's license. If you own a plumbing company and you are not the licensed master, or your master leaves, the business cannot pull a permit until a properly licensed person is back in that role. Both codes also police the name on the permit: Philadelphia Section 9-1003 bars a master from letting any other person use his or her name to obtain a permit or do work, and Article XV bars a plumbing business from letting its name be used for permits by anyone it does not employ or contract with. That is why the arrangement has to be real employment.
That is the gap a qualifying agent fills: a licensed master who joins the company as a full time W-2 employee (never a 1099 or per project arrangement), supervises the plumbing work, and takes legal responsibility for it so the company can operate while the owner builds toward a license of their own, or runs the business without ever holding one personally. Our founders, Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski, built The Licensing Company around that lawful model and lead it as licensing authorities for contractors nationwide. When you are ready to hire a qualifying agent, we work to match your company with a licensed master for your jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pennsylvania have a state plumbing license? No. Plumbing is licensed locally, most significantly by Philadelphia L&I and the Allegheny County Health Department, and each jurisdiction sets its own rules. The Department of Labor and Industry keeps no list of local programs.
How do I become a plumber in PA? Get hired by a licensed master plumber, register as an apprentice with your local authority, and complete four years of work plus any required classroom hours. Then pass your jurisdiction's journeyman exam.
How long does it take to become a master plumber in Pennsylvania? About five years in Philadelphia: four years as a registered apprentice and one year as a registered journeyman before the ICC master exam. About six years in Allegheny County and Reading, where the journeyman stage lasts two years.
Do Philadelphia and Pittsburgh plumbing licenses transfer? Not automatically. Philadelphia may accept equivalent authorization with L&I approval, and Allegheny County offers a nonresident exam path and a temporary reciprocal license for each permit. Get written approval before you work.
Can a homeowner do their own plumbing in Pennsylvania? It depends on the jurisdiction. Allegheny County lets a bona fide owner living in an existing single family home do the work. In Philadelphia a licensed master plumber must oversee permitted plumbing work, though Section 9-1003 excepts minor plumbing repairs as the code defines them.
Do I need HICPA registration if I already have a local plumbing license? Likely yes, if your residential home improvement work totals $5,000 or more per year. HIC registration costs $100 for two years, requires $50,000 and $50,000 in liability coverage, and does not replace your local license.
What exam do Philadelphia plumbers take? ICC exam 250 (journeyman, 75 questions, three hours) or exam 249 (master, 100 questions, four hours). Both are closed book and cost $115 through Pearson VUE.
What insurance does a Philadelphia master plumber need? At least $500,000 per occurrence in general liability, $300,000 in automobile liability, and workers' compensation of $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee and a $500,000 policy limit, current on the master license file.
Can I start a plumbing business in Pennsylvania without being a licensed plumber myself? Not by yourself in Philadelphia or Allegheny County, where a licensed master must stand behind every plumbing business. A qualifying agent, a licensed master who joins as a full time employee, can let the company operate while you build your own hours toward a license.
Bottom line
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumbing license. For many plumbers, the credential that matters is the Philadelphia or Allegheny County master plumber license: four years of apprenticeship, one or two years as a journeyman, and a master exam (ICC administered in Philadelphia, county administered in Allegheny). Recognition between jurisdictions is case by case, residential work of $5,000 or more a year triggers HICPA registration, and a plumbing company needs a licensed master standing behind it.
Related guides: plumbing contractor license, Pennsylvania electrician license, Pennsylvania HVAC license, Pennsylvania general contractor license, and our national contractor license guide.
Talk to us about qualifying your plumbing company
If your plumbing company needs a licensed master to qualify it in Philadelphia, Allegheny County or anywhere else in the country, call us at 615-219-2110 or start at Hire a Qualifying Agent. If you are ready to apply for your own Philadelphia or Allegheny County plumbing license, License Application Processing can prepare and file it with you.
Requirements, fees and exam details are set by Philadelphia L&I, the Allegheny County Health Department, local authorities and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and they change. Verify with the authority before you apply.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Contractor Licensing (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- City of Philadelphia, Get a Master Plumber's License (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- City of Philadelphia, Get a Journeyman Plumber License (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- City of Philadelphia, Get a Plumber Apprentice License (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- City of Philadelphia, Get a Plumbing Permit (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Philadelphia Code Section 9-1003, Plumbers (text as published by UpCodes) (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- International Code Council, Philadelphia Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin (published March 15, 2026) (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Allegheny County Health Department, Plumbing Licensing Information (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Allegheny County Health Department, Plumbing Program (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Allegheny County Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article XV, Plumbing and Building Drainage (proposed revision text) (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- City of Reading, Plumbing Trade License Application and Requirements (retrieved 2026-09-25)
- Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, Act 132 of 2008 (73 P.S. 517.1 et seq.) (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Home Improvement Contractor Registration (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, HIC Frequently Asked Questions (retrieved 2026-10-07)
- Pennsylvania General Assembly, Senate Bill 395 of 2025 (retrieved 2026-10-07)
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.