Electrician and Plumber Licenses in Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam
New York State does not license electricians or plumbers. Near NYC the license comes from the county or from each town and village. Who issues them.
By Seayora Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked · 3 min read
Short answer: There is no statewide electrician or plumber license in New York, so who licenses the trades depends on where the work is. New York City’s Department of Buildings licenses master electricians and master plumbers; Westchester, Suffolk and Putnam license them at the county level; and in Nassau County they are licensed by the cities, towns and villages. A license from one place generally does not let a contractor work in another unless that place recognizes it.
Key takeaways
- In New York City, the Department of Buildings licenses master and special electricians and Licensed Master Plumbers.
- Westchester County licenses master electricians, who may work in any municipality in the county, and countywide or restricted master plumbers.
- In Nassau County, plumbers and electricians are licensed by the cities, towns and villages, not the county.
- Suffolk County licenses master electricians and master plumbers, and Putnam County runs its own electrical and plumbing boards.
Why is there no single New York license?
New York State does not issue electrician or plumber licenses. Licensing is done locally, by New York City and by counties, cities, towns and villages, each under its own law. That is why a contractor licensed in Queens may not be able to pull a permit in Yonkers or Hempstead, and why “licensed” on a business card should always prompt the question “licensed where?”
| Place | Electricians | Plumbers |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | NYC Department of Buildings (master and special electricians) | NYC Department of Buildings (Licensed Master Plumber) |
| Westchester County | County Department of Consumer Protection (master electrician, any municipality in the county) | County Department of Consumer Protection (countywide or restricted master plumber) |
| Nassau County | The cities, towns and villages | The cities, towns and villages |
| Suffolk County | County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs | County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs |
| Putnam County | County Board of Electrical Examiners | County Plumbing/Mechanical Trades Board |
How does licensing work in Westchester County?
The county’s Department of Consumer Protection licenses the trades with its Electrical Licensing Board and Board of Plumbing Examiners. A county master electrician may perform electrical work in any municipality in Westchester. Master plumbers are licensed either countywide, which allows work in any municipality, or restricted to specific municipalities. The county’s renewal form states that everyone performing plumbing or electrical work in the county must be on the payroll and under the direct supervision of a licensed Westchester County master plumber or master electrician (Westchester renewal application). Check a license on the county’s trade license lookup.
Who licenses the trades in Nassau County?
Not the county. The Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs states that plumbers and electricians operating in Nassau County are licensed by the cities, towns and villages, and directs residents to their own municipality (Nassau County OCA). Towns and many villages set their own requirements, some through their own examining boards, and some recognize licenses issued by neighboring municipalities. Check with the municipality where the work will be done.
What about Suffolk and Putnam counties?
Suffolk County’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs issues master electrician and master plumber licenses and verifies licenses by phone (Suffolk County Licensing). Ask the town or village building department as well whether it adds any requirement of its own. Putnam County licenses through its Office of Consumer Affairs, with a Board of Electrical Examiners and a Plumbing/Mechanical Trades Board, and licenses are renewed each year (Putnam County Consumer Affairs). The county code defines a master electrician by hours of experience as a helper and as a journeyman (Code of Putnam County).
What should an owner check before hiring?
- Ask which authority issued the license and look the number up with that authority.
- Confirm the license covers the municipality where your property is, especially in Nassau and anywhere a restricted license is possible.
- Ask for a certificate of liability and workers’ compensation insurance naming you as certificate holder.
- Confirm the contractor will pull the permit and schedule the inspections; see building codes outside NYC.
Frequently asked questions
Does New York State license electricians?
No. Electricians and plumbers are licensed locally, by New York City, by some counties such as Westchester, Suffolk and Putnam, and in Nassau County by the cities, towns and villages.
Can a Westchester master electrician work anywhere in the county?
Yes. A Westchester County master electrician may perform electrical work in any municipality in the county. Master plumbers may hold a countywide or a restricted license.
Who licenses plumbers in Nassau County?
The cities, towns and villages. The Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs does not license plumbers or electricians.
Sources
- Obtain a Master and Special Electrician License, NYC Department of Buildings
- Plumbing Permits and Applications, NYC Department of Buildings
- Department of Consumer Protection, Westchester County
- Master plumber license renewal application (2025), Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
- Trade license lookup (master electricians and plumbers), Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
- Plumbing: who licenses plumbers and electricians in Nassau County, Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs
- Licensing, Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs
- Consumer Affairs (electrical and plumbing/mechanical licensing boards), Putnam County
- Code of Putnam County, licensing of electricians, Putnam County (eCode360)
How Seayora helps
Vendor management: Keep each contractor’s licenses and insurance on file, by the place they cover.
This article is general information, not legal, architectural or engineering advice. Zoning, building, electrical and plumbing rules are amended by local law and agency rule and differ from one city, town and village to the next, so confirm the current requirements with the building department and a licensed professional before you start work.
How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.
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