How do I check a plumber's license in Suffolk County?

Who licenses plumbers in Suffolk County

In Suffolk County, plumbing businesses are licensed by the County, through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs and its Plumbing Licensing Board, under Article XI of Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code. The County lists two plumbing license types: Master Plumbers and Restricted Plumbers (a restricted license covers only a limited part of the trade).

• A license is required to do plumbing for hire. The code makes it unlawful to carry on a regulated trade for hire in the County without one. It doesn't cover a homeowner doing their own maintenance, utility gas crews, or Suffolk County Water Authority crews working up to the property line.
• Getting one takes real experience. Applicants must be at least 21, show at least seven years' experience in the trade within the past 10 years, and pass an exam.
• Licenses run for two years and must be renewed, so an old number on a truck or business card isn't proof the license is current.
• Nobody unlicensed may advertise as licensed, and a license holder can't lend their license to someone else. A company can work under a license only if one of its owners or officers holds it and the work is done under that person's direct supervision.
• Violations are a misdemeanor, with fines up to $5,000. The County says unlicensed contractors are subject to arrest and prosecution.

One caveat from the code: the County article doesn't apply in a town or village that has its own licensing law for the trade. If you live in an incorporated village, ask the village building department whether it licenses plumbers separately.

How to look up a license (about 5 minutes)

1. Get the details from the plumber: the license number, the exact business name, and the name of the license holder. A legitimate plumber will give you all three.
2. Search the County's license and complaint lookup. Suffolk Consumer Affairs runs two free search pages: the DCA license and complaint lookup (search by license number, name or ZIP) and the Accela Citizen Access record search (licenses and complaint history; no account needed).
3. Use wildcards if the name doesn't show up. The Accela search accepts % as a wildcard, so "R&%" finds both "R&R" and "R & R". Try the owner's last name too.
4. Check what comes back: the license type is Master Plumber (or a restricted license that covers your job), the status is active and not expired, and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
5. Look at complaints. The DCA lookup notes that searching by license type shows license data only, so run a name or license-number search to see complaints and violations.
6. Still unsure? Call Consumer Affairs at (631) 853-4600. The County's own advice before hiring any contractor is to get three written estimates and call that number to check licensing and open complaints.

Other licenses that matter on Long Island plumbing jobs

• Cesspool and septic work: Suffolk Consumer Affairs issues a separate Liquid Waste license, and pumping is done by a septage hauler licensed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. A plumber clears the pipes; a liquid-waste contractor pumps or replaces the system. See how often to pump a cesspool.
• Remodels: kitchens, basements and extensions fall under the County's Home Improvement license. A home improvement contractor still needs a licensed plumber for the plumbing part.
• Backflow testing: the County licenses Backflow Testers separately.
• Permits are a different thing from a license. A license says who may do the work; a permit covers a specific job. For a water heater, gas line, or sewer and cesspool work in the Town of Brookhaven (or a village), ask who pulls the permit. See water heater repair and replacement.

Questions to ask besides the license

1. Are you insured, and can you send a certificate of insurance before you start?
2. Who will actually do the work, and is it supervised by the license holder?
3. Is this a flat price or hourly, and what's the trip or diagnostic fee?
4. Does this job need a permit, and will you pull it?
5. Can I have the price, parts and cleanup in writing?

Sources

• Suffolk County Code, Chapter 563, Article XI: Electricians and Plumbers (sections 563-125 to 563-140: license required, qualifications, two-year term, false advertising, penalties)
• Suffolk County Consumer Affairs, Type of License (license list, verification number, three-estimates advice)
• Suffolk County, DCA License and Complaint Violation Look Up
• Suffolk County, Accela Citizen Access, Consumer Affairs record search
• New York State Department of Health, Septic System Operation and Maintenance (pub. 3208; DEC-licensed septage transporters)

General information, checked against the County code and Consumer Affairs pages on Oct 24, 2026. Licensing rules can change; Suffolk County Consumer Affairs has the final word.

Related services

• Water Heater Repair & Replacement
• Main Line, Sewer & Cesspool Backups