Contractor License Lookup
Pick your state to see who licenses plumbers, HVAC contractors and electricians there, whether the license is state or local, and where to check a license number.
A real person answers. Free estimate, no obligation.
Data: state licensing boards, compiled per state and per trade with every link checked, September 2026 · Updated September 2026
How contractor licensing works
State or local
Most states license plumbers and electricians through a state board, often under the Department of Labor or Professional Regulation. HVAC licensing varies more: some states run it statewide, others leave it to cities and counties, and a few do both. In a local-license state a statewide search returns nothing, and that absence is not evidence the contractor is unlicensed.
How to use the lookup
Ask the pro for their license number, then check it on the board’s own site. The record shows whether the license is active, what it covers and, in many states, any discipline on file. A business license and an individual journeyman or master license are different things; several states issue both.
Why it matters for permits
The permit office checks the same record. A contractor who cannot pull a permit in their own name usually cannot pass this lookup either.
Common questions
Pick your state above. Where the state licenses plumbing, the link goes to the board’s lookup; enter the license number or the business name. Where licensing is local, the city or county building department keeps the record.
It depends on the state. Many license HVAC statewide; others, including Kansas and Colorado, leave it to cities and counties. The lookup shows which applies to you.
In a state that requires one, unlicensed work is a red flag for the permit, the inspection and any warranty on the equipment. Choose a licensed pro; the lookup takes a minute.
It means the person passed the state’s exam and carries the bond or insurance the state requires. It does not grade workmanship, so still ask about the permit and the inspection.
Get an exact answer from a local pro
Free to call — get connected with a local pro in your area.
disclaimer: 781 Heating is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service providers. All contractors/providers are independent and 781 Heating does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on 781 Heating.
Same-day and 24/7 emergency services are subject to provider participation, location, technician availability, and demand. Availability is not guaranteed and may vary by market and appointment capacity.
We use cookies and session-based analytics, including session replays (with form inputs masked), to improve this site. See our Privacy Policy.
About · Contact · Privacy · Terms · Disclosure · Sitemap
© 2026 781 Heating. All rights reserved.