Georgia plumbing license: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 25, 2026

Georgia plumbing license: Georgia offers Journeyman Plumber, restricted Class I Master Plumber and unrestricted Class II Master Plumber licenses. Only a licensed Master Plumber may operate a plumbing business.

Fast answer: A Journeyman applicant documents at least one year of covered plumbing work. A Master applicant documents five years, including at least two years licensed as a Journeyman, supplies three references and passes the appropriate examination with at least 70%.

Georgia plumbing license scope eligibility exam fees and renewal — Georgia requirements summarized from the responsible agencies. Local permits, employers and certifying bodies may impose additional conditions.

What the Georgia plumbing license covers

Georgia offers Journeyman Plumber, restricted Class I Master Plumber and unrestricted Class II Master Plumber licenses. Only a licensed Master Plumber may operate a plumbing business.

Journeyman plumbing work under the licensing structure.
Master Class I residential and limited commercial work up to the published building-size scope.
Master Class II unrestricted plumbing.
Business operation only by a Master Plumber.

Testing assemblies requires the separate Georgia backflow tester certification.

Georgia plumbing license requirements at a glance

Requirement	Current rule or route
Route	Journeyman, Master Class I or Master Class II
Eligibility	Journeyman: at least one year. Master Class I/II: five years, including two years licensed as a Journeyman; Class II also requires commercial or industrial experience.
Exam	Appropriate Georgia Journeyman or Master examination; minimum score 70%.
Fees	Application, online-processing and examination charges depend on license level and are displayed in GOALS and the current candidate bulletin.
Education	8 CE hours during the 24 months before renewal, subject to reduced initial-cycle requirements.
Renewal	Biennial, due November 30 of even-numbered years.

Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.

How to complete the Georgia plumbing license process

Choose Journeyman, Master Class I or Master Class II.
Document experience and obtain three licensed-plumber references.
For Master, document at least two years as a licensed Journeyman.
Submit the GOALS application, background record and required documents.
Receive approval and pass the appropriate examination with at least 70%.
Complete CE, maintain active status and obtain local plumbing permits.

Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.

Important Georgia rules and boundaries

Class I Master scope is restricted; Class II is unrestricted.
A Journeyman cannot independently operate a plumbing business.
Georgia does not offer plumber reciprocity with another state.
Backflow testing certification is separate.

Georgia may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.

Georgia plumbing license cost and renewal

Add training, examination, insurance, equipment and local costs.

Renew by the published deadline and retain supporting records.

Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.

Georgia plumbing license checklist

Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
Use the current official form and fee schedule.
Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is this credential statewide?

Yes; local permits remain required.

Is an exam required?

Appropriate Georgia Journeyman or Master examination; minimum score 70%.

When does it renew?

Biennial, due November 30 of even-numbered years.

Are local approvals separate?

Yes.

Official sources used

Verified licensing details

Licensing authority: Georgia Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers
Fees: Application, online-processing and examination charges depend on license level and are displayed in GOALS and the current candidate bulletin.
Experience: Journeyman: at least one year. Master Class I/II: five years, including two years licensed as a Journeyman; Class II also requires commercial or industrial experience.
Exams: Appropriate Georgia Journeyman or Master examination; minimum score 70%.
Insurance or bond: Maintain required business insurance and local filings.
Continuing education: 8 CE hours during the 24 months before renewal, subject to reduced initial-cycle requirements.
Renewal period: Biennial, due November 30 of even-numbered years.

Official sources

Official sources last checked August 24, 2026.

Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.