How to check a plumber's license in Suffolk or Nassau

What New York State and federal rules say

• Local governments regulate the plumbing trade in New York under Article 4 of the General City Law. The state's Business Express site tells readers to contact their local plumbing board for licensing requirements.
• An exam is required to obtain a certificate of competency for the plumbing trade or business, the state says.
• Paid plumbing work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 is covered by the EPA lead rule, which requires the person doing it to be certified.

In Suffolk County

• Suffolk Consumer Affairs issues plumbing licenses, and its license types include Master Plumbers and Restricted Plumbers.
• Only a member, officer, owner or partner of the business may apply for a Suffolk master plumbing license, the county's application says.
• Suffolk master plumbing applicants must document 7 of the last 10 years working for a licensed employer in the field, on forms signed and notarized by current or former employers.
• After the applicant passes the exams and the licensing board approves, Suffolk requires business insurance to be in place when the master license is issued.
• The Suffolk master plumbing application carries a non-refundable application fee of $200.00.

1. 1Step 1Choose Master Plumbing License in Suffolk's License and Complaint Violation Look Up and enter the plumber's license number or business name.
2. 2Step 2A search by license type returns license data only, not complaint or violation data, the lookup page notes.
3. 3Step 3Suffolk Consumer Affairs takes license verification calls for plumbers at (631) 853-4600.

In Nassau County

• Nassau County Consumer Affairs says plumbers who operate in the county are licensed by its cities, towns and villages.
• Nassau's home improvement license law does not apply to a plumber who must meet state or local competency standards, while acting only within the scope of that plumbing license.

Towns with a license of their own

• Town of Hempstead: The Town's Building Department links to the Town's online permit portal for electrician and plumber licensing information.
• Town of Oyster Bay: The Town requires every plumber who works in the Town to hold a Town of Oyster Bay license. Its Plumbers Examining Board is a chairman and four members, all master plumbers appointed by the Town Board.
• Town of Oyster Bay: The Town of Oyster Bay licenses plumbers as well as electricians, and new applicants call (516) 624-6217 for the required paperwork.
• City of Glen Cove: The City's permit checklist requires the plumbing application to be filed with the general construction application and completed only by a City of Glen Cove licensed plumber.
• City of Glen Cove: The City licenses plumbers: its fee schedule lists $75.00 for a plumber's license renewal, $50.00 for the plumber's test and $250.00 for a reciprocal plumber's license.
• City of Long Beach: The City requires all plumbing work to be done by a City of Long Beach licensed plumber, and homeowners may not do their own plumbing.
• City of Long Beach: The City requires new plumber's license applicants to appear in person before its plumbing board for a preliminary exam and to submit copies of a master plumber's license and a Certificate of Competency from a Nassau County Tri-Town Agreement member.
• City of Long Beach: A City plumber's license costs $400.00, and a new applicant whose business is outside Nassau County adds $70.00. A company applicant's licensed plumber must own 51% of the company, and the license expires May 31 of its second year.
• Town of Babylon: Babylon's master plumber's license calls for W-2 forms showing seven years of experience, and applicants are scheduled for written and practical tests.
• Town of Babylon: Babylon also issues a restricted plumber's license, which calls for W-2 forms showing five years of experience.
• Town of Islip: The Town's Building Division posts requirements and applications for a master plumbing license and a limited restricted plumbing license, and its page names a Plumbers Examining Board.
• Town of Huntington: The Town of Huntington issues its own master plumber license to applicants at least 21 years old with 7 years of plumbing experience, gained under a master plumber, in an apprenticeship or through an approved technical school course.
• Town of Huntington: Any gas work in the Town must be done by a plumber licensed by the Town of Huntington.
• Town of Huntington: Huntington's master plumber license covers performing and supervising the installation, alteration, modification or repair of plumbing and heating systems.
• Town of Southampton: Southampton issues plumber contractor registration certificates, and the town does not require insurance for them.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island's notice to contractors says every contractor or subcontractor working on the island, landscapers included, needs a town license.

Beyond the license

• Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you by the insurer, naming you as the certificate holder.
• Ask who files the permit and books the inspections, and get it in the contract.
• Get the price, the scope, the start and finish dates and the payment schedule in a written contract.