Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. New York State — No Separate State Plumber License

   New York State does not issue a statewide plumbing contractor license. Licensing is handled at the local/municipal level. NYC has its own Master Plumber license; outside NYC, individual municipalities or counties may have their own requirements. New York requires plumbing work to be done by or under the supervision of a licensed plumber.

   Official government source

   N/A (licensing is local)·N/A

   N/A (licensing is local)

   N/A

2. New York State Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   LLCs and corporations operating in New York State must file with the New York Department of State. LLCs must also publish a formation notice in newspapers for 6 consecutive weeks.

   Official government source

   $200 (LLC filing fee) + $1,000–$2,000 (publication requirement)·1–2 weeks for filing; 6 weeks for publication

   $200 (LLC filing fee) + $1,000–$2,000 (publication requirement)

   1–2 weeks for filing; 6 weeks for publication

1. NYC Master Plumber License

   New York City has its own Master Plumber licensing system separate from New York State. Issued by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). To qualify as a Master Plumber in NYC, you must have 7 years of plumbing experience (including 2 as a journeyman), pass a written and practical exam, and carry $1,000,000 liability insurance. This license is required for the qualifying individual who signs permits.

   Official government source

   $600 application fee; $400 biennial renewal·3–6 months (exam scheduling and processing)

   $600 application fee; $400 biennial renewal

   3–6 months (exam scheduling and processing)

2. NYC Plumbing Contractor Registration

   To operate a plumbing contracting business in NYC, the business entity must register separately with the NYC Department of Buildings. The business must have a licensed NYC Master Plumber as its qualifying individual. Registration is required to pull permits under the company name.

   Official government source

   $1,300 biennial registration fee·2–4 weeks after master plumber license obtained

   $1,300 biennial registration fee

   2–4 weeks after master plumber license obtained

3. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection — Business License

   While no separate general business license is required to operate a plumbing company in NYC, businesses should ensure they are registered for city business taxes. An NYC business certificate is required if operating under a trade name.

   Official government source

   No fee for general NYC business operation (DBA: $100 at county clerk)·1–5 days

   No fee for general NYC business operation (DBA: $100 at county clerk)

   1–5 days

Official Sources

• NYC Department of Buildings — Master Plumber License
• New York Department of State — Business Registration

Related Guides