SPEC SHEET · PA · PLUMBER
Pennsylvania plumber license requirements
The answer
Pennsylvania has NO statewide plumber license — none of the state's 29 professional licensing boards covers the trade. Licensing is municipal (Philadelphia licenses master and journeyman plumbers through L&I), and businesses doing residential work register as Home Improvement Contractors (HICPA) with the PA Attorney General for a PA# number. Training runs through apprenticeships.Your paths to the license
Apprenticeship (the standard route)
Complete a registered apprenticeship (union or independent) — typically 4–5 years of paid on-the-job training plus classroom hours. This is the credential Pennsylvania employers and city licensing boards recognize.
City licensing to pull permits
Philadelphia licenses master and journeyman plumbers through L&I. Other cities and boroughs have their own registration rules — always check the municipality before bidding work.
Register the business under HICPA
To perform residential home-improvement work, register with the PA Office of Attorney General's HIC system for a PA# — a consumer-protection registration, not a competency license.
Moving in from a licensing state
There is no PA state license to transfer to — your license helps demonstrate experience to employers and municipal boards.
License levels in Pennsylvania
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / trainee | No state registration; train through UA or independent apprenticeships. | — |
| Journeyman (industry-recognized) | Journeyman status comes from your apprenticeship/union classification, not a state license. | — |
| Municipal license (e.g. Philadelphia) | Philadelphia licenses master and journeyman plumbers through L&I — requirements vary by municipality. | — |
| PA Home Improvement Contractor (PA#) | Businesses doing residential improvement work register with the Attorney General under HICPA. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| HICPA registration + municipal fees | See hic.attorneygeneral.gov and your municipality |
The exam
| Provider | Municipal where required |
| Fees | Set by each municipality |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: Not applicable — no state license exists. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: HICPA registrations renew every 2 years; municipal rules vary.
Watch out: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and many municipalities enforce their own trade licensing — verify locally. · PA experience transfers to licensing states only as documented hours.
Official sources for this page
Pennsylvania plumber licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed plumber in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumber license, so there is no state hour requirement — training runs through apprenticeships (typically 4–5 years) and any licensing happens at the city/county level.
What does the Pennsylvania plumber license cost?
Set by each municipality. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Pennsylvania have plumber license reciprocity?
Not applicable — no state license exists.
How often does the license renew?
HICPA registrations renew every 2 years; municipal rules vary.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Pennsylvania's actual routes.