Do you need a license to work as a plumber in New Jersey?
Yes. In New Jersey, a person may not work as a master plumber, and no person or business may engage in or advertise plumbing contracting, unless licensed or authorized under the state master plumbers licensing law. Master plumbers work under standards set by the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. A plumbing contractor must be a licensed master plumber, or a business in which a licensed master plumber holds at least 10% of the ownership, and must employ journeymen or apprentice plumbers. A knowing violation is a crime of the fourth degree. This is N.J.S.A. 45:14C-12.3, 45:14C-2.
| What | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Plumber license | State master plumber license (Board of Master Plumbers) |
Source
N.J.S.A. 45:14C-12.3, 45:14C-2
Read the statute in the New Jersey Statutes (New Jersey Legislature): njleg.state.nj.us.
The linked sections open Justia’s free copy of the code, because the state’s own site has no stable address for each section.
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.
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