Yes, Georgia licenses plumbers at the state level. A plumbing license in Georgia comes from the Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers, part of the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board under the Secretary of State, and it’s good statewide. There are three levels: Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber Class I (restricted), and Master Plumber Class II (unrestricted), and each one needs documented experience and a PSI exam.
Who issues the license
The Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers is one of five divisions of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. It’s run through the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division, which handles your application, exam approval, and renewals.
The law is O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 14, and the rules sit in Chapter 121 of the Georgia rules. The board keeps both on its laws and rules page, and you can read the licensing rules directly in Rule Chapter 121-2.
One thing that surprises people: the board doesn’t register plumbing companies. Instead, per the board FAQ, only a licensed Master Plumber can own a plumbing business. A journeyman can’t.
Requirements change, so always confirm with the Georgia Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers before you apply. This page is a plain-English guide, not legal advice.
License types
- Journeyman Plumber. Needs at least 1 year of experience in plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code. The experience can be primary (hands-on installation under a licensed master) or secondary (related plumbing work or training).
- Master Plumber Class I (Restricted). Limited to single-family dwellings, one-level two-family dwellings, and commercial structures up to 10,000 square feet.
- Master Plumber Class II (Unrestricted). No restrictions on the type or size of job. You have to show commercial or industrial plumbing experience to qualify.
- Medical Gas Piping certification. An add-on for licensed Georgia journeymen and masters. It takes a 32-hour division-approved program (24 of those hours in a classroom), a written exam, and a braze test. You also have to braze at least once every 12 months to keep it.
How to become a plumber in Georgia
Georgia doesn’t run a state apprentice registration like some states do. You build your experience working in the trade, ideally under a licensed master, then prove it on your application. Here’s the path:
- Step 1: Get your experience. Log at least 1 year of plumbing work for the journeyman license.
- Step 2: Line up three references. You need three references from currently licensed plumbers who know your work, and at least one has to be a licensed Master Plumber. The reference forms have to be notarized originals.
- Step 3: Apply and pass the journeyman exam. Apply through the board, wait for approval, then test with PSI.
- Step 4: Move up to master. You need at least 5 years of plumbing experience, with at least 2 of those years as a licensed journeyman, and at least 2 years of primary (hands-on) experience. For Class II, you also need commercial or industrial work, and at least two of your three references have to be licensed Master Plumbers. Include a copy of your journeyman license with the application.
Heads up: Georgia used to require 3 years of experience for the journeyman license. The board’s FAQ and the updated rule now say 1 year, but some older application PDFs on the state site still say 3. Go by the current rule, and ask the board if your packet says otherwise.
Exams
After the board approves your application, staff send you a candidate ID and PSI contacts you to set up an account and schedule. Exams are given by computer at PSI test centers around Georgia, plus Jacksonville and Tallahassee in Florida and Chattanooga in Tennessee. Per the PSI candidate bulletin:
- Journeyman. 100 scored questions, 5 hours total in two parts of 2.5 hours each. This is the only open book exam, so you can bring the listed references.
- Master Class I. 120 scored questions, 7 hours total in two parts of 3.5 hours each. No books allowed.
- Master Class II. 140 scored questions, 7 hours total in two parts of 3.5 hours each. No books allowed.
You need a scaled score of 70 to pass, and you get your score report at the test center. All three cover codes, installation, testing, repair, and safety, and the master exams add business law and system design. Starting May 1, 2026, it’s based only on the 2024 Georgia Plumbing Code and 2024 Georgia Gas Code, so don’t study from the 2018 books.
If you fail twice, you have to finish a board-approved review course and send in the certificate before your third try. Veterans who qualify can get 5 to 10 preference points added to their score by sending in a DD-214.
Renewal
Georgia plumber licenses renew every two years. You renew online through the GOALS portal by November 30 of even-numbered years. The late renewal window runs December 1 to December 31, and late fees apply.
You need 4 hours of continuing education each year, which works out to 8 hours per renewal. The board randomly audits renewals, so keep your certificates. If your license lapses, you can apply for reinstatement. Under 3 years lapsed, you’ll show CE and experience. Over 3 years, you’ll need references and have to pass the exam again.
Cost
Here’s what the board’s official application packets list:
- Initial application (journeyman or master, by exam): $40, which is a $30 application fee plus a $10 processing fee. It’s nonrefundable.
- Reinstatement, journeyman (lapsed 3+ years): $80, which is $70 plus a $10 processing fee.
- Reinstatement, master (lapsed 3+ years): $160, which is $150 plus a $10 processing fee.
- Exam fee: paid to PSI when you register. The PSI bulletin doesn’t list the amount, so check when you schedule.
- Renewal fee: the board posts it on the GOALS fee schedule, not in the application packets. Check there before you renew.
- Background check: you get it through local law enforcement, and the cost depends on your agency.
Those packets are dated 2022 and 2023, and applications now go through GOALS, so confirm the current amounts on the board’s fee schedule before you pay.
Reciprocity
Georgia has no plumbing reciprocity right now. The board’s FAQ says it plainly: Georgia does not have reciprocity with any other states for Master or Journeyman Plumbers.
The rules do leave a door open. A license by endorsement is possible if the other state’s exam and requirements are substantially equal to Georgia’s, that state offers the same deal to Georgia plumbers, and the two boards sign a formal written agreement. The board doesn’t publish any such agreement for plumbers, so plan on applying and sitting the Georgia exam. Your out-of-state journeyman license can still help with master, since the application accepts an out-of-state license verification showing 2 years active. See our plumbing license reciprocity guide for how other states compare.
How to apply
- Use GOALS. Register and apply on the board’s apply page, which walks you into the GOALS portal. You submit the application, documents, and fee there.
- Gather your documents. You’ll need a signed and notarized application, a secure and verifiable ID (like a driver’s license or passport), an affidavit of citizenship, a background check from local law enforcement, your experience information, and your three references.
- Answer deficiency letters fast. If anything’s missing, you’ll hear by email. Applications are withdrawn if you don’t fix the deficiency within 60 days.
- Watch the meeting calendar. A complete application has to be in at least 15 days before a board meeting to make that agenda.
- Don’t work yet. You can’t do plumbing work under the license until it’s active.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a plumbing license in Georgia?
You need at least 1 year of experience for journeyman. Master takes at least 5 years total, with 2 of them as a licensed journeyman.
How much does a Georgia plumbing license cost?
The board’s packets list a $40 initial application fee. The PSI exam fee and renewal fee aren’t in those packets, so check PSI and the GOALS fee schedule.
How often do you renew a plumbing license in Georgia?
Every two years, by November 30 of even-numbered years. You need 4 hours of CE a year, 8 per renewal.
Can I transfer my out-of-state plumbing license to Georgia?
No. Georgia has no reciprocity for journeyman or master plumbers, so you’ll apply and pass the Georgia exam.
Next steps
If you’re just starting, get hired under a licensed master and start keeping records of your work now. To compare Georgia with other states, see our plumbing license by state page, the full plumbing license guide, and plumbing license cost by state. Working near the state line? Check the Alabama plumbing license page too. Once you hold a master license and want to run your own shop, read how to start a plumbing business.
