Georgia Plumbing License Requirements Guide

Much like becoming a general contractor in Georgia, if you wish to be a plumbing contractor, you must fulfill the state-mandated requirements that include a combination of training and experience. The state of Georgia requires all plumbers to be licensed, even if working under a licensed plumbing contractor or master plumber. All licenses are issued statewide.

Similar to electrical contractors in Georgia, licenses must be approved by the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing board. For plumbers specifically, it is the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers. There are three types of plumbing licenses for individuals to achieve; journeyman plumber license, master plumber license Class I, and master plumber license Class II.

The process of becoming a plumbing contractor begins with either an apprenticeship, or trade school. There is no license requirement to be an apprentice plumber, but a demonstration of the trade as an apprentice, evidence of relevant experience, or education may be applied to the three-year experience requirement of becoming a journeyman plumber. A journeyman plumber license is necessary to install, maintain, alter, or repair plumbing fixtures and systems, under the direction or supervision of a master plumber.

Master plumber licenses are required to contract as a plumber, or perform plumbing services or duties unsupervised. Class I master plumber licenses are restricted to single-family dwellings, or one-level dwellings designed for no more than two families. Class I master plumbers may also contract work for commercial structures not exceeding 10,000 square feet. Statewide Class II master plumber licenses are unrestricted.

Georgia Plumbing License Reciprocity

Georgia does not have plumbing license reciprocity with any other states.

Georgia Journeyman & Master Plumber License Requirements

The licensure of plumbers in Georgia is subject to the rules and regulations of the State of Georgia. If you hope to become licensed as a journeyman plumber in the state of Georgia, there are three years of experience needed. These years of experience may be completed with the following:

Primary experience — experience gained through the direct installation of plumbing systems under supervision.
Secondary experience — gained while engaged in work or training related to the installation.
Education — may also be applied as a secondary experience.
- For the completion of a diploma program for a technical school in engineering technology, two years of experience may be applied.
- For the completion of a certificate program or vocational-technical school, one year of experience may be applied.

To obtain a master Class I or Class II license, the applicant must provide three references that can attest to the applicant’s good character, as well as plumbing experience. One of the three references must be a licensed master plumber. Applicants for the master plumber license must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in plumbing work with at least, but not limited to, 2 years of primary experience. Applicants for Class II must have documented experience in commercial or industrial plumbing.

There are also examinations, fees, and letters of approval needed to complete licensing.

Journeyman and Master Plumber Exam and Fees

The journeyman and master licenses require the completion of the plumbing examination application to the licensing board, 60 days prior to the exam, with full payment of the $30 non-refundable application fee. The application to the licensing board must include documentation of current licenses or transcripts, years of experience, signed letters of reference, and a background check. Before the examination, the applicant will need an approval letter and admission notice from the licensing board to sit for the exam.

Applicants must complete the exam by the assigned dates and score 70% or higher on the exam. The journeyman plumber examination, the master Class I (restricted) plumber examination, and the master Class II (unrestricted) examination, are proctored by PSI. The journeyman plumber examination fee is $233, and both master plumber examination fees are $267.

Examination applications and fees may be submitted and paid online at the PSI website, or sent in with a money order (no personal checks) to:

PSI
18000W. 105th St.
Olathe, KS 66061-7543

Examination results typically are given 45 days after the completion of the exam. If an applicant fails, they will receive a new examination scheduling form to reapply. If an applicant passed, they will receive their license identification card. The Georgia Business and Law exam is not required for a journeyman or master plumbing license.

Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

There are no requirements to fulfill to become an apprentice plumber.

Georgia Plumbing Apprentice Jobs

Finding work as a plumbing apprentice can be done with or without trade school. Discover open plumbing apprentice positions through job search boards such as:

There are no occupational licenses to become an apprentice in the state of Georgia. The occupational profile of apprentice plumbers and people starting in this career have little to no work experience and a high school diploma or equivalent.

Plumbing Trade Schools in Georgia

There are a variety of trade schools available in the state of Georgia. However, many of them do not have plumbing programs and certifications. Consider the following that do:

Albany Technical College
Public institution
Phone: (229) 430-3500
Address:
1704 S Slappey Blvd
Albany, GA, 31701
Fees are generally $1,800 for 15 credit hours

Atlanta Technical College
Public institution
Phone: (404) 225-4400
Address:
1560 Metropolitan Parkway SW
Atlanta, GA 30310-4446
Cost varies by program

Southern Crescent Technical College
Public institution
Phone: (770) 228-7348
Address:
501 Varsity Rd
Griffin, GA 30223
General in-state tuition: $2,758
Cost varies by certification and program

Georgia Professional License Search

Many pursuing plumbing careers in the state of Georgia take the route of applying as an apprentice to receive on-the-job training. To gain experience and to perform plumbing duties, the state of Georgia requires that jobs are overseen by the appropriate licensee. To continue on the path to becoming a journeyman or master plumber, you will also need recommendations of those that already hold licenses. It is good practice to use the Georgia professional license search to ensure that all jobs and opportunities are guaranteed oversight by a professional licensee.

[mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” doNotOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”t3thzb4s6ertxsd2px4s” ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1687390503/ce7owzjznmxjreyelmww.jpg” title=”How To Become a Plumbing Contractor in Georgia: License Requirements and Trade Schools” volume=”70″]

For More License and Career Guides

To find out how to become a Plumbing Contractor in another state, start here.

For information on other trades in Georgia, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements: