diff --git a/glue/main.py b/glue/main.py
index 0637c6d5e..a428be40c 100644
--- a/glue/main.py
+++ b/glue/main.py
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ def load_plugins(splash=None, require_qt_plugins=False, plugins_to_load=None):
     n_plugins = len(plugins_to_require)
 
     for i_plugin, item in enumerate(list(iter_plugin_entry_points())):
-
         if item.module in plugins_to_load:
             if item.module not in _installed_plugins:
                 _installed_plugins.add(item.name)
@@ -115,3 +114,20 @@ def load_plugins(splash=None, require_qt_plugins=False, plugins_to_load=None):
     # that were previously read.
     from glue._settings_helpers import load_settings
     load_settings()
+
+
+def list_loaded_plugins():
+    """
+    Function to list all plugins that are currently loaded
+    """
+    return sorted(_loaded_plugins)
+
+
+def list_available_plugins():
+    """
+    Function to list all available plugins
+    """
+    from glue._plugin_helpers import iter_plugin_entry_points
+
+    plugins_load_list = [i.module for i in list(iter_plugin_entry_points())]
+    return plugins_load_list
diff --git a/glue/tests/test_main.py b/glue/tests/test_main.py
index 10b35bd86..6c961d28d 100644
--- a/glue/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/glue/tests/test_main.py
@@ -1,6 +1,25 @@
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
-from glue.main import load_plugins
+from glue.main import load_plugins, list_loaded_plugins, list_available_plugins
+from glue._plugin_helpers import REQUIRED_PLUGINS
+
+
+def test_load_plugins(capsys):
+    """
+    Test customisable list of plugins load
+    """
+    from glue.logger import logger
+
+    with patch.object(logger, 'info') as info:
+        load_plugins()
+
+    # plugins = [call[0][0] for call in info.call_args_list if ('succeeded' or 'loaded') in call[0][0]]
+    plugins = []
+    for acall in info.call_args_list:
+        if ('loaded' or 'succeeded') in acall[0][0]:
+            plugins.append(acall[0][0].split(' ')[1])
+
+    assert 'coordinate_helpers' in plugins
 
 
 def test_no_duplicate_loading(capsys):
@@ -15,6 +34,35 @@ def test_no_duplicate_loading(capsys):
     with patch.object(logger, 'info') as info:
         load_plugins()
 
+    plugins = []
     for acall in info.call_args_list:
+        plugins.append(acall[0][0])
         if 'Loading plugin' in acall[0][0]:
             assert 'failed' in acall[0][0]
+
+    loaded_plugins = list_loaded_plugins()
+    assert 'glue.plugins.wcs_autolinking' in loaded_plugins
+    assert 'glue.core.data_exporters' in loaded_plugins
+    assert 'glue.plugins.coordinate_helpers' in loaded_plugins
+
+
+def test_list_loaded_plugins():
+    """
+    Unit test for retrieving the list of currently loaded plugins
+    """
+    load_plugins(require_qt_plugins=False)
+    plugins = list_loaded_plugins()
+    assert isinstance(plugins, list)
+    for test_plugin in REQUIRED_PLUGINS:
+        assert test_plugin in plugins
+
+
+def test_list_available_plugins():
+    """
+    Unit test for retrieving the list of currently available plugins
+    """
+    available_plugins = list_available_plugins()
+    assert isinstance(available_plugins, list)
+    assert 'glue.plugins.wcs_autolinking' in available_plugins
+    assert 'glue.core.data_exporters' in available_plugins
+    assert 'glue.plugins.coordinate_helpers' in available_plugins