Maine Plumber License Lookup
Where to Look Up a Maine Plumber's License
The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) runs the only official license verification system for Maine plumbers. The search is free and available through OPOR's online services portal on maine.gov — look for the Plumbers' Examining Board section and the license query tool.
You can search by the plumber's name or license number. The system covers all five license tiers: Trainee, Student Trainee, Journeyman-in-Training, Journeyman, and Master.
What the Status Fields Mean
The lookup returns a status for each credential. Here's what the common ones mean:
Active — The plumber holds a current, valid license at the displayed tier. They're authorized to perform work within that tier's scope. A Journeyman can install and repair under a Master's direction. A Master can pull permits, supervise trainees, and operate independently.
Pending Exam — The Board has approved the plumber's exam application, but they haven't yet taken or passed the trade exam. They're not authorized to work at the pending tier.
Pending — An application has been received and is in the review queue. This doesn't authorize any work at the new tier.
Expired — The license lapsed because the holder didn't renew during their biennial cycle. Expired licensees can't legally perform plumbing work. Within 90 days, they can renew with a $50 late fee. Between 90 days and two years, reinstatement costs $100. After two years, they must re-apply and re-test.
When You Should Run a Lookup
As a homeowner hiring a plumber, verify that the person has an Active Master Plumber license before they start permitted work. Only Master Plumbers can pull municipal permits in Maine — a Journeyman can do the physical work, but there must be a Master on the project who holds the permit.
As a contractor or GC, check every plumber's status before they touch a job site. Using an unlicensed or expired-license plumber exposes you to code enforcement penalties and can create permit-compliance problems.
As a plumber tracking your own application, the lookup shows whether the Board has moved your status from Pending to Active or Pending Exam. Maine does not issue physical paper licenses — your active credential arrives as a PDF email from [email protected], and the online lookup is the only way to verify it publicly.
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What the Lookup Won't Tell You
The state portal confirms individual trade credentials, but it doesn't show whether a plumber's business is properly registered, insured, or permitted locally. Those are separate layers — business registration sits with the Maine Secretary of State, Workers' Compensation status with the plumber's insurer, and project permits with your local code enforcement office.
The Maine Plumber License Guide covers both the individual credentialing system and the business/municipal layers that state lookup doesn't touch.
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