How to get a plumbing license in Georgia: the official requirements
The Journeyman Plumber license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers.
In Georgia, the state plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. The statewide Journeyman Plumber license, issued through the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. To get it you submit a completed application, meet the experience requirement, score at least 70 on the examination and pay the fees. You may not legally perform services until you hold an active license. Experience and training: At least one year of experience in plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code; it may be primary experience (direct installation under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber) or secondary experience (related work or training, such as maintenance plumbing for a public works department). Three licensed plumbers must attest to your plumbing experience. Licensing exam: The plumbing examination (minimum score 70), given by the testing vendor PSI after the Board approves you to sit for it. If you fail twice, you must complete a Board-approved review course before testing again. How to apply: Apply online through a GOALS account: choose the application type, answer all questions, submit the required documents and pay the application and processing fee. The application is signed and notarized. Georgia has no reciprocity with other states for Master or Journeyman Plumbers.
Georgia plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | Georgia |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The statewide Journeyman Plumber license, issued through the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. To get it you submit a completed application, meet the experience requirement, score at least 70 on the examination and pay the fees. You may not legally perform services until you hold an active license. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. |
| Experience and training | At least one year of experience in plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code; it may be primary experience (direct installation under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber) or secondary experience (related work or training, such as maintenance plumbing for a public works department). Three licensed plumbers must attest to your plumbing experience. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. |
| Licensing exam | The plumbing examination (minimum score 70), given by the testing vendor PSI after the Board approves you to sit for it. If you fail twice, you must complete a Board-approved review course before testing again. |
| How to apply | Apply online through a GOALS account: choose the application type, answer all questions, submit the required documents and pay the application and processing fee. The application is signed and notarized. Georgia has no reciprocity with other states for Master or Journeyman Plumbers. |
| Background check | A background check from your local law enforcement agency is part of the application. |
| State fees | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. |
| License term | Two years; licenses renew online by November 30 of even-numbered years, with a late renewal period December 1 to 31. |
| Continuing education | At least 8 hours of continuing education in the 24 months before the license expires (4 hours if first licensed less than two years before renewal). |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Georgia
- Gain at least one year of plumbing experience of a type covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code.
- Line up three licensed plumbers who can attest to your experience.
- Apply through GOALS with your documents, background check and fee.
- Once the Board approves you, register with PSI and pass the exam with a score of at least 70.
- Renew online by November 30 of even-numbered years.
- Complete 8 hours of continuing education in each 24-month renewal period.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in GeorgiaWhat plumbers earn.
Open →CareerPlumber career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
Open →Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers and the rules it publishes (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Georgia Secretary of State, Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Georgia Secretary of State, How-To Guide: Plumber License, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Georgia Secretary of State, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers FAQ, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Rules of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Chapter 121-3 Application for Licensure (Georgia Secretary of State, Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Rules of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Chapter 121-4 License Issuance, Renewal, Reinstatement, Expiration, and Activation (Georgia Secretary of State), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.