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 + $50 Certificate of Publication fee + newspaper publication (roughly $1,000-$2,000 in NYC counties)·1–2 weeks for filing; 6 weeks for publication

   $200 LLC filing fee + $50 Certificate of Publication fee + newspaper publication (roughly $1,000-$2,000 in NYC counties)

   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). Requires documented plumbing experience, written and practical exams, and insurance. The license is required for the qualifying individual who signs plumbing permits. License term is three years.

   Official government source

   $200 license fee (3-year term); $150 renewal; seal $50; exam applications $585 (written) + $530 (practical)·3–6 months (exam scheduling and processing)

   $200 license fee (3-year term); $150 renewal; seal $50; exam applications $585 (written) + $530 (practical)

   3–6 months (exam scheduling and processing)

2. NYC Plumbing Contractor Registration

   Plumbing contracting work in NYC must be performed by or under a NYC-licensed Master Plumber, who files permits through the NYC Department of Buildings. DOB publishes no separate $1,300 business-registration fee; the Master Plumber license itself is $200 for a 3-year term. Verify current firm/insurance requirements directly with DOB.

   Official government source

   No published DOB business-registration fee — verify with DOB; Master Plumber license $200/3 years·2–4 weeks after master plumber license obtained

   No published DOB business-registration fee — verify with DOB; Master Plumber license $200/3 years

   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

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