HIRING GUIDE | COLORADO

How to Find and Verify a Licensed Plumber in Colorado

Colorado requires plumbers to hold a state license issued by the Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA). Hiring an unlicensed plumber, even one who seems competent, removes your legal protections if something goes wrong with the work. Arvada Plumbing Pros holds a current Colorado plumbing license, and we encourage every homeowner to verify any contractor’s license before hiring, including ours. Call (720) 787-0333.

Why Plumbing Licensing Matters in Colorado

Colorado’s plumbing license requirements exist because plumbing work directly affects health and safety: drinking water supply, sewage disposal, and gas lines. A licensed plumber has passed examinations demonstrating knowledge of the Colorado plumbing code, completed a documented apprenticeship under a master plumber, and carries the insurance and bonding required to hold a state license.

Hiring an unlicensed individual to perform plumbing work in Colorado has real consequences beyond the quality of the work itself. Permits for plumbing work, required for most repiping, water heater installation, and gas line work, generally must be pulled by a licensed contractor. Work performed without required permits can complicate a home sale, since the lack of permit history surfaces during a buyer’s inspection or title search.

If unlicensed work fails or causes damage, your homeowners insurance may deny a related claim on the basis that the work was performed by an unlicensed party, leaving you responsible for the full cost of remediation. A plumbing inspection performed by a licensed plumber, with documentation, is also what insurance adjusters require to support claims related to plumbing failures, as covered in our guide to homeowners insurance and burst pipes.

How to Verify a Plumber's License in Colorado

STEP 1 | GET THE LICENSE NUMBER

Ask any plumber or plumbing company for their Colorado state license number before scheduling work. A licensed contractor provides this readily, often listing it on their website, business cards, vehicles, and invoices. Hesitation or refusal to provide a license number is itself a warning sign.

STEP 2 | SEARCH THE DORA LOOKUP

Visit the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA) license lookup at dpo.colorado.gov/Plumbing and search by the license number or the contractor’s name. The lookup shows the license type (journeyman, master, or contractor), the current status (active, expired, suspended, or revoked), and the expiration date.

STEP 3 | CONFIRM THE LICENSE TYPE MATCHES THE WORK

Colorado issues different license tiers. A journeyman plumber license allows the individual to perform plumbing work under supervision. A master plumber license allows independent contracting and pulling permits. For larger jobs like a whole-house repipe or gas line repair, confirm the individual or company holds a master license or that a master plumber is supervising the work and pulling the permit.

STEP 4 | CHECK FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The DORA lookup also shows any disciplinary history associated with a license, including complaints, fines, or suspensions. A clean record is not a guarantee of quality, but a record of repeated disciplinary action is a clear red flag that should factor into your decision regardless of how the estimate compares to other bids.

Red Flags When Hiring a Plumber

Beyond licensing, several patterns in how a contractor operates indicate risk:

Demands full payment upfront before any work begins, especially for larger jobs like repiping or water heater replacement
Provides only a verbal estimate with no written scope of work, pricing breakdown, or timeline
Cannot provide proof of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation) when asked
Pressures you to decide immediately, citing a limited-time discount or claiming the problem is more urgent than it appears
Arrives in an unmarked vehicle with no company name, license number, or contact information displayed
Quotes a price significantly below other bids for the same described scope of work, which often indicates corners will be cut on materials, permits, or both
Cannot or will not pull required permits for work that requires them

A licensed, established plumbing company in Arvada provides a written estimate, carries verifiable insurance, pulls permits when required, and has a track record you can check through the DORA lookup and customer reviews. None of these are unreasonable requests, and a legitimate contractor will not be put off by them.

We serve homeowners across Jefferson County who want a verified, licensed plumber: Westminster CO · Lakewood CO · Golden CO · Wheat Ridge CO · Broomfield CO

Find a Licensed Plumber Colorado | FAQs

How do I check if a plumber is licensed in Colorado?

Ask the plumber or company for their Colorado state license number, then verify it at the DORA Plumbing license lookup at dpo.colorado.gov/Plumbing. Search by license number or company name. The lookup shows license type, current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history. This takes less than five minutes and should be done before scheduling any plumbing work.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed plumber in Colorado?

You lose several protections. Permits for work requiring them generally cannot be pulled by an unlicensed individual, which can complicate a future home sale. If the work fails or causes damage, homeowners insurance may deny related claims on the basis that the work was performed by an unlicensed party. You also have less recourse if the work is defective, since licensed contractors are subject to DORA’s complaint and disciplinary process.

What is the difference between a journeyman and master plumber license in Colorado?

A journeyman plumber license permits an individual to perform plumbing work, typically under the supervision of a master plumber or licensed contractor. A master plumber license permits independent contracting, including pulling permits and supervising other plumbers. For larger jobs like repiping or gas line work, confirm a master plumber is licensed for and supervising the project.

Are plumbing permits always required in Colorado?

Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and the scope of work. Jefferson County, which includes Arvada, generally requires permits for water heater replacement, repiping, gas line work, and sewer line replacement, but not for minor repairs like fixing a faucet or unclogging a drain. A licensed plumber knows which jobs require permits in your jurisdiction and pulls them as part of the job.

Does a low price mean a plumber is unlicensed or doing something wrong?

Not necessarily, but a bid significantly below other quotes for the identical described scope of work warrants questions. Common reasons for unusually low bids include skipping required permits, using lower-grade materials than specified, lacking proper insurance (which is a real cost built into legitimate bids), or being unlicensed and therefore avoiding the costs associated with licensing and bonding. Always confirm the scope is truly identical before comparing price alone.

Working with a Licensed, Verified Plumber in Arvada

Arvada Plumbing Pros holds a current Colorado state plumbing license, carries full insurance, and pulls permits when required. Verify us yourself at the DORA lookup, then call (720) 787-0333 for a written estimate.