Do plumbers need to be licensed in Ontario?

Yes, plumbers in Ontario must be licensed through the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) to legally perform plumbing work, and this applies to all plumbing contractors working in Ottawa.

In Ontario, plumbing is a compulsory trade, meaning anyone doing plumbing work for compensation must hold a valid Certificate of Qualification. This includes journeyperson plumbers and plumbing apprentices working under supervision. The licensing ensures they have the proper training to work safely with water supply systems, drainage, and gas connections.

How to Verify a Plumber's License in Ottawa

You can verify any plumber's credentials through the Ontario College of Trades website at collegeoftrades.ca. Look up their name or company to confirm they hold a valid Certificate of Qualification in plumbing. A legitimate plumber will readily provide their license number and encourage you to verify it.

For gas work specifically, plumbers also need TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) certification. You can verify gas technician credentials at tssa.org. This is crucial for any work involving gas lines, water heaters, or gas appliances.

What This Means for Ottawa Homeowners

When hiring a plumber in Ottawa, always ask to see their Certificate of Qualification before any work begins. Unlicensed plumbers cannot legally pull permits through the City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424), which means any major plumbing work they do won't be properly inspected or approved.

Licensed plumbers also carry proper insurance and WSIB coverage, protecting you from liability if accidents occur. You can verify WSIB clearance at wsib.ca/clearances using the contractor's business number.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be wary of any plumber who can't produce their license number, offers cash-only deals, or suggests skipping permits for work that requires them. Door-to-door plumbers or those offering deals that seem too good to be true often lack proper licensing.

Major plumbing work in Ottawa typically requires both a licensed plumber AND a City of Ottawa plumbing permit. The permit ensures the work meets Ontario Building Code standards and receives proper inspection.

For complex projects involving both plumbing and gas work, ensure your contractor has both OCOT plumbing certification and TSSA gas certification. This dual licensing is essential for projects like bathroom renovations involving gas water heaters or kitchen renovations with gas appliances.

Official Resources:

• Verify plumber license: collegeoftrades.ca


• TSSA gas technician lookup: tssa.org


• City of Ottawa permits: ottawa.ca/building or 613-580-2424


• WSIB clearance verification: wsib.ca/clearances