How to check if a contractor is licensed in Pennsylvania
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Pennsylvania, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. For electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors, our survey found no state-level license, so check with the city or county where the work is done. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | City or county | Pennsylvania does not license electrical contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| Plumbing | City or county | Pennsylvania does not license plumbing contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| HVAC | City or county | Pennsylvania does not license HVAC contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| Roofing | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) | Search roofing licenses |
Local licensing offices
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Credentials | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) source | Contractor License, Electrical Contractor License, Master Plumber License, Journeyman Plumber License, Plumber Apprentice License, Sheet Metal Technician License, Fire Suppression Systems Contractor License, Demolition Contractor License | Search Philadelphia licenses |
| Pittsburgh | City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) source | General Contractor License, Sign Contractor License, Electrical Trade License, Mechanical Trade License, Fire Suppression Trade License | Search Pittsburgh licenses |
| Allegheny County | Allegheny County Health Department, Plumbing Program source | Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber | No online lookup found |
Step by step
- Open the official Pennsylvania lookup run by Home Improvement Contractor Registration and search the contractor by name or number.
- The Attorney General registration search shows only active Home Improvement Contractor registrations and can be downloaded as a spreadsheet. source Searching by type of work may miss contractors because that field is new and has little data for existing registrants. source You can call the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-888-520-6680 to check whether a contractor is registered. source A registered contractor must show its registration number, written as PA followed by digits, in ads, contracts, estimates and proposals. source In Philadelphia, the L&I contractor lookup lists actively licensed contractors and any licensing violations. source Philadelphia L&I Contractor Lookup searches contractors, electrical contractors, master plumbers and PA home improvement contractors by name or number and shows status, expiration and violation history. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Home Improvement Contractor registration). The board's own record governs. A registration is required for jobs above Registration is required once a contractor does $5,000 or more of home improvements in a calendar year. source
- Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Liability insurance of at least $50,000 for personal injury and at least $50,000 for property damage. source
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
- Report a problem contractor with a consumer complaint to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, online or by mailed form. source
Homeowner protections in Pennsylvania
- Any home improvement contract over $500 must be in writing and signed by both you and the contractor. source
- You can cancel a home improvement contract without penalty within three business days of signing. source
- On contracts over $5,000 the contractor may not take a deposit above one-third of the price, or one-third plus special order materials. source
- The contract must state that the contractor carries at least $50,000 of personal injury and $50,000 of property damage insurance. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Pennsylvania?
- Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Pennsylvania lookup run by Home Improvement Contractor Registration, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
- What can I do if a contractor in Pennsylvania is not licensed?
- Report a problem contractor with a consumer complaint to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, online or by mailed form.
All Pennsylvania licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration/
- https://hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov/
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/businesses-and-organizations/home-improvement-contractor-registration/frequently-asked-questions/
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/contractor-licensing
- https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=2008&ActNum=0132.&SessInd=0
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/find-a-licensed-contractor-and-contractor-information/
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/
- https://li.phila.gov/Contractor-Lookup/
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/Licensing/Contractor-Licenses
- https://onestoppgh.pittsburghpa.gov/pghprod/pub/lmswebui/
- https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Plumbing-Program
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.