Understanding Plumbing Licensing Suffolk/Nassau

Pretty good grasp. Mad Dog

I’m a master plumber with 30+ years experience working in the plumbing field, but I recently tried to obtain a reciprocal license through North Hempstead, submitting all the documentation you listed, only to be told, they don’t reciprocate with Suffolk County Consumer Affairs. Do you know why? I’m now applying for a master’s and will be examined again.

New York is a hot mess.

Why don't they get out of the dark ages and have statewide licensing? There is no reasonable reason not to. I think some think (the city officials) they are better than anyone else. Is it about their perceived superiority, control over their fiefdom or what? Connecticut had that years and years ago.

State wide licensing clears things up

same permit form everywhere

same rules, regs and code everywhere

You can go work anywhere in the state

Its not just The 5 boros of NYC. Both Nassau and Suffolk have dozens of little Fiefdoms that dont want it. The rest of the state licenses by county, except the large upstate Cities that have their own licenses. I was part of two major efforts to get a Nassau County-wide License.

It must be noted however, that we have The Tri-Town Agreement in Nassau County since 1969, thanks primarily to the Herculean Effort of one man, Jimmy Lorenzo Sr (RIP) head of the The Town of Hempstead Examining Board, who rallied almost all the Townships and Villages (Over 60!) to sign it in to law. In short, if you earn your Certificate of Competency in ANY Village in Nassau or Any of the 3 Big Townships, you can work and pull permits in all of them. You then pay Each municipality that you would like to work in a yearly fee. Its not a full , simple County license like Westchester.

Last, keep in mind, I have 40 years in, and Suffolk requires the same as guys like me.

Mad Dog

@Mad Dog_2

Too bad. They never want to give up the power. I don't know why. MA does not regulate permit fees each city/town can charge what they want so its not a $$$$ thing unless your "yearly fee" is what they want but they could just raise the permit fees to cover that.

It just seems like an unnecessary boondoggle. To me what happens if they make permits and licenses so difficult on the plumbers and homeowners and expensive everyone say screw it and they do unlicensed work and skip the permits. Thats really what goes on.

just imagine all the plumbing/heating material big box sells to the homeowners and handymen every year including water heaters etc, sinks, toilets etc.

How much of that material ever falls under a permit? 1%, 2%,5% 10%??

As I noted above..Fiefdoms, power, $$$ = Power Politics...even in the trades. Also, you mentioned reciprocity between States. Perfect example: NYS enforces the ICC (International Code Council) codes while just across the river in NJ, they go by the UPC Uniform Plumbing Code. Very similar…but! Mad Dog

@Intplm.

I still have a couple of licenses in MA. Gave up my CT stuff when I retired. I used to have an S1 and an E1 in Ct.

MA & Ct don't get along at all.

In some ways I liked CT better. You get an S1 your pretty much covered for anything heating , piping or AC & oil burners and gas and sheet metal

To have the same coverage in Ma you need

Oil burner license

gas fitter license

pipefitter license

sheet metal license

Refrigeration license

Not only that but in CT all the licenses are from the same place.

In MA we have all these different boards and agencies to deal with.

The only thing good about MA at least with electrical gas and plumbing you can do some work with just a journeymen's license where in CT you can't

MA is an overregulated state.

Its a race to the bottom for legit contractors. Take Websites for example:

Most are "boiler plate" (pun intended) cookie cutter websites with stock, generic photos of models holding inappropriate tools and strange wrenches that have zero connection to pipe trades. Very silly, but that's their business.

What does concern me is that You rarely go on these websites and see the name of the owner, licensed plumber or Hvac person or any of their license #s , but just a generic "Licensed and insured."

As a homeowner or building owner looking to possibly hire this company or person, that should be a red flag. Wouldn't you want to know A) If they do hold an actual trade license with a license # you coud verify with the A.H.J.? B) Who is the person you are letting in your home? One of the blessings of the internet age is that you can do your own vetting and background check. That puts my mind at ease. Mad Dog

Has any of that actually prevented consumers getting ripped off?

I'm not talking honest mistakes; we all make them and take care of them.

It still seems like the wild west out there.

Here in Southold Town A/C and heat pumps requires a permit. They want to know where the Condensing unit is going to be placed outside. That's it. No manual "J", No Manual "D", not indoor inspection in any way.

Just another Tax!

The greatest concern I see out there is general contractors doing alot of their own plumbing, gas. and heating work when they can get away with it, i.e, renovations without permits. Worse yet, their workers who Moonlight having no formal training, no license or insurance whatsoever, and, not a care in the world about what they should or should not be touching. Mad Dog

@Intplm.

MA has continuing education for Plumbers and Gasfitters every year 3 hours on gas and 6 on plumbing I think. Electrical is every 3 years 21 hours if I remember right.

In MA. you supposed to put your license # on your letterhead, business cards and truck if it is lettered and any advertising. Don't know how much that is enforced

I am absolutely disgusted with the hack work I have seen the last few years mostly on the electrical side. Don't know what is happening but I have seen a lot of bad stuff by licensed guys.

It's very discouraging to see the shlock that has shown itself. Lousy workmanship and a could careless attitude.

I don't believe that continued education has prevented that. At least not from my point of view. maybe others have. Im discouraged.