How to get a Journeyman Plumber license in Georgia

Georgia plumber licenses

Georgia issues 3 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Georgia plumber licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required²
Applicants disclose arrests/convictions (other than minor traffic) with explanation letters and certified court dispositions; renewals disclose new offenses.⁴

Residency or citizenship

Lawful presence: Affidavit of Citizenship plus a Secure and Verifiable Document (O.C.G.A. 50-36-1); no Georgia residency requirement stated.²

Social Security number

The application asks for a Social Security number.²

Also required

Optional Statewide Medical Gas Piping Certification for licensed master or journeyman plumbers: 32-hour division-approved program (24 classroom hours, written exam and braze test).⁷

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI⁵, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Wait for the Board to approve you to sit for the exam; PSI then contacts you to register and pay for the exam.⁵
2. Pass the exam with a score of at least 70; the license is issued once the Division finds all requirements met.⁴

Apply online

goals.sos.ga.gov⁵

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

When it expires

Plumbing licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years (current cycle ends November 30, 2026); late renewal December 1–31 of even years. Renewal is online in GOALS.⁵

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period⁴

Approved courses

Courses must be given by an institution of higher education, vocational-technical school, trade/technical/professional organization, or a Technical College System of Georgia institution; records kept 5 years; random audits.⁴

Exemptions

Licensed less than 1 year: no CE before the first renewal; licensed less than 2 years: 4 hours. The division may waive CE for hardship, disability or illness.⁴

If it expires

Unrenewed licenses are invalid after the expiration date; late renewal within 30 days; lapsed licenses need reinstatement (Division discretion); after 3+ years a new application and the exam are required.⁴

Renew online

goals.sos.ga.gov⁵

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military spouses and transitioning service members get expedited processing; veterans may request exam preference points (DD-214); former service members may seek expedited Journeyman Plumber licensure based on military training (committee process, apply within 2 years of discharge).²

2. Every license level except Journeyman Plumber

Requirements

Business requirements

A partnership, LLC or corporation may engage in plumbing only with a full-time Master Plumber regularly connected to it; the Board does not register plumbing companies.⁵

How to apply

1. Upload a secure and verifiable ID, a local law-enforcement background check, your experience record and three licensed-plumber references, plus a copy of your Journeyman Plumber license; pay the $30 application + $10 processing fee.⁵

Renewal

Renewal fee

$75³ (Biennial renewal)

Required topics

Plumbing installation, design, state codes, products, innovations or new techniques, tools and materials, safety, or work-related legal issues; master plumbers may also take environmental or business courses.⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $100³ (master Plumber, December 1-31 of the renewal year)
Reinstatement fee: $150³ (master Plumber lapsed more than 30 days but less than 3 years)
Reinstatement fee: $150³ (master Plumber lapsed 3+ years ($160 with processing fee; exam required))

From another state

Who needs a Journeyman Plumber license

Installs plumbing under the direction of a master plumber; may not contract or advertise plumbing contracting (only master plumbers may run a plumbing business). Journeyman plumbers may install medical gas piping (with the separate certification).⁵

Work that does not need this license:

• No license needed for plumbing in a residential dwelling the individual owns or occupies (work must still meet codes, rules and local permits/inspections).¹
• Exempt: regular full-time employees working on their employer's premises; state/local government maintenance staff on their facility; farm/ranch buildings and irrigation not within 30 feet of a dwelling; lawn-sprinkler piping downstream of a backflow preventer installed by a licensed plumber; DPH-certified on-site sewage contractors from the stub-out.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• A master plumber or a licensed utility contractor company may build or repair plumbing from the property line up to (not within) five feet of a building; only plumbers licensed under the chapter may work within five feet.¹

Requirements for a Journeyman Plumber license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Exam

Georgia Journeyman Plumber examination¹
Given by: PSI⁵
When you can take it: After the Board reviews the application and approves the applicant to sit for the exam; exams are offered continuously.⁵
Retakes: After failing twice, the applicant must complete a Board-approved review course before a third attempt; no further course is required after a third failure.⁵

Also required

Only master plumbers may contract or advertise plumbing contracting.¹

How to apply

1. Create or log in to a GOALS account and choose the Journeyman Plumber application.⁵ goals.sos.ga.gov⁵
2. Upload a secure and verifiable ID, a local law-enforcement background check, your experience record and three licensed-plumber references; pay the $30 application + $10 processing fee.⁵

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$35³ (Biennial renewal)

Required topics

Plumbing installation, design, state codes, products, innovations or new techniques, tools and materials, safety, or work-related legal issues.⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $45³ (journeyman Plumber, December 1-31 of the renewal year)
Reinstatement fee: $70³ (journeyman Plumber lapsed more than 30 days but less than 3 years)
Reinstatement fee: $70³ (journeyman Plumber lapsed 3+ years ($80 with processing fee; exam required))

Moving to Georgia with a license from another state

These are the routes the Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers publishes for the Journeyman Plumber license.

Master Plumber Class I

Requirements

Experience

At least 5 years⁶
At least 5 years of plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code, with at least 2 of those years licensed as a Journeyman Plumber.⁶
License you must hold first: Journeyman Plumber license held at least 2 years (a copy, or a license verification from another state, must be submitted).²

Exam

Georgia Master Plumber Class I examination¹
Given by: PSI⁵
When you can take it: After the Board reviews the application and approves the applicant to sit for the exam; exams are offered continuously.⁵
Retakes: After failing twice, the applicant must complete a Board-approved review course before a third attempt; no further course is required after a third failure.⁵

How to apply

1. Create or log in to a GOALS account and choose the Master Plumber Class I application.⁵ goals.sos.ga.gov⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Master Plumber Class II

Unrestricted plumbing contracting (may contract and advertise as a plumbing contractor).¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 5 years⁶
At least 5 years of plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code, with at least 2 of those years licensed as a Journeyman Plumber; Class II also requires commercial or industrial plumbing experience (e.g. high rise, hospital, hotel).⁶
Supervision: Three licensed-plumber references are required, at least two of them Master Plumbers.⁶
License you must hold first: Journeyman Plumber license held at least 2 years (a copy, or a license verification from another state, must be submitted).²

Exam

Georgia Master Plumber Class II examination¹
Given by: PSI⁵
When you can take it: After the Board reviews the application and approves the applicant to sit for the exam; exams are offered continuously.⁵
Retakes: After failing twice, the applicant must complete a Board-approved review course before a third attempt; no further course is required after a third failure.⁵

How to apply

1. Create or log in to a GOALS account and choose the Master Plumber Class II application.⁵ goals.sos.ga.gov⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Ga. L. 2025, SB 125 (AS PASSED; revises O.C.G.A. Title 43 Ch. 14, incl. §§ 43-14-2, 43-14-6, 43-14-8, 43-14-19)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 121-2 (121-2-.03 reciprocity; 121-2-.06 review course; 121-2-.11 medical gas; 121-2-.12 military)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 121-3-.02 (Statewide Master and Journeyman Plumber License)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 121-4 (renewal; 121-4-.04 CE for master and journeyman plumbers)

Common questions

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