Do you need a license to work as a plumber in District of Columbia?
Yes. In District of Columbia, practicing or offering to practice as a plumber or gasfitter requires a current District license, issued by the Mayor through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. A plumber is anyone who designs, installs, repairs or removes plumbing fixtures, supplies water through pipes in a building, or connects or repairs a drainage system; a gasfitter works on nonindustrial gas appliances and piping from the meter outlet. Only a licensed person may use titles such as plumber, master plumber or master gasfitter. This is D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.02, 47-2853.04, 47-2853.121, 47-2853.123.
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Plumber license | District license (Licensing and Consumer Protection) |
Source
D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.02, 47-2853.04, 47-2853.121, 47-2853.123
Read the statute in the Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council): code.dccouncil.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
Compare this rule in every state
More District of Columbia rules
- Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in District of Columbia?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in District of Columbia?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in District of Columbia?
- Is there a grace period for paying rent in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in District of Columbia?
- Does a landlord need a reason to evict a tenant in District of Columbia?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in District of Columbia?
- What are squatters’ rights in District of Columbia?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in District of Columbia?
- Is there rent control in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in District of Columbia?
- Can a tenant sublet in District of Columbia?
- What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in District of Columbia?
- Do HVAC contractors need a license in District of Columbia?
- Do you need a general contractor license in District of Columbia?
- Do you need a license to do electrical work in District of Columbia?
- Does a home improvement contractor need a license or registration in District of Columbia?
- Can you use a transfer-on-death deed in District of Columbia?
- How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in District of Columbia?
- What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in District of Columbia?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in District of Columbia?
- Is appliance repair taxable in District of Columbia?
- Every District of Columbia rule on one page