Data sources
Every business in our directory traces back to one of these public registries or to an owner-submitted listing. We never invent rows. Each section below explains what the source is, exactly which records we pull, and how often we refresh.
NYC DOB Licensed Master Plumbers
State or local licensing authorityWhat it is. New York has no statewide plumbing license. In New York City, the Department of Buildings (DOB) issues the Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) credential -- the dominant license in the state -- and publishes licensee data (including via NYC Open Data). An LMP is required for water-main, sewer, and most plumbing work in the five boroughs; journeymen register with DOB and work under an LMP.
How we use it. We import active NYC Licensed Master Plumbers and tag them with source_name='NYC DOB' so they can be filtered or removed in bulk if the licensing relationship ever changes. Cert chips on each profile name the specific NYC DOB credential held (LMP or DOB-registered journeyman).
Refresh cadence. Re-pulled quarterly; on-demand when a license lapses.
Citation: NYC Department of Buildings -- Licensed Master Plumber (nyc.gov/buildings)
County & city licensing boards
State or local licensing authorityWhat it is. Outside New York City, plumbing is licensed at the county or city level. Nassau and Suffolk counties (Consumer Affairs) and Westchester County issue Master Plumber licenses, and Upstate cities -- Buffalo (Erie Co.), Rochester (Monroe Co.), Syracuse (Onondaga Co.), and Albany -- license plumbers locally. These records are public information published by each county or city.
How we use it. Imported as company-level rows tagged with the issuing authority as source_name (e.g. 'Nassau County', 'Suffolk County', 'Westchester'). Cert chips name the county or city plumbing license.
Refresh cadence. Re-pulled quarterly.
Citation: New York county & city licensing boards (Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany)
PHCC of New York & Master Plumbers Council of NYC
Professional associationWhat it is. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) of New York and the Master Plumbers Council of New York City represent plumbing firms that invest in apprenticeship, training, and code-compliance standards. Their public member directories list member firms in good standing.
How we use it. Member firms are matched against listings we already have and tagged with the 'PHCC Member' credential. We do not auto-create listings from association membership alone.
Refresh cadence. Re-pulled quarterly.
Citation: PHCC of New York (phccweb.org); Master Plumbers Council of NYC
New York Department of State -- Division of Corporations
State or local licensing authorityWhat it is. The New York Department of State's Division of Corporations publishes the public Corporation and Business Entity Database -- corporations and LLCs registered to do business in New York, with formation date and current status.
How we use it. Used during verification to confirm a claimed plumbing business is a registered New York entity in good standing. We do not import listings from this source; it is a cross-check only.
Refresh cadence. Checked at verification time.
Citation: New York Department of State -- Division of Corporations (dos.ny.gov)
Want to see our verification process step-by-step? Read How we verify. For our editorial neutrality, dispute, and removal policies, read Trust standards.
If you represent one of these registries and have feedback on how we cite or use your data, please contact us.