What Are the Requirements to Earn Your Plumbing License in Georgia?

Georgia’s population continues to grow as more people call the Peach State home. With the influx of people, so is the need for skilled tradesmen, including plumbers. Becoming a licensed plumber in Georgia takes at three years, but the benefits are worth the commitment.

Here we’ll dive into the steps and benefits of becoming licensed in Georgia.

Why Consider a Career in Plumbing?

Plumbers play a vital role in construction—from the infrastructure (underground and behind the walls) to the faucet you use to wash your hands. They work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Plumbing is an excellent career for those who enjoy hands-on work and problem-solving. Licensed plumbers are in demand, whether they open their own business or work for a company.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports an annual growth rate of 6%, which is faster than the other professions, and a median salary of $61,550. Within Georgia, the growth rate is expected to be 12% over the next decade, and Zip Recruiter reports an average salary for licensed plumbers of $62,698.

License Types in Georgia

A license is required to work as a plumber in Georgia. There are three licenses issued by the Georgia Secretary of State (Board): Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber Class 1 Restricted and Master Plumber Class 2 Non-restricted.

Journeyman License: To become a licensed journeyman plumber, you’re required to have three years of qualifying experience as an apprentice under a master plumber. Licensed journeyman plumbers work under licensed master plumbers or general contractors.

Master Plumber Class 1 Restricted: This license restricts plumbing work to single-family dwellings and one-level two-family residential homes and commercial structures less than 10,000 square feet. Licensees must have five years of experience with at least two years of primary experience, described below.

Master Plumber Class 2 Non-restricted: This license is for applicants who work in commercial or industrial plumbing. Candidates for this license type meet the same qualifications as Master Plumbers but must show specific experience in commercial or industrial plumbing.

Licensing Requirements for Plumbers in Georgia

To become licensed, you must submit an application, meet the minimum experience requirement, pass the appropriate exam with a score of 70% or better, and pay the required fees.

Here’s a look at each of these requirements in detail.

Education & Training Requirements

You must meet minimum education and training standards, including a high school diploma or GED and three or five years of experience.

Journeyman Plumbing License. Applicants must document three years of primary or secondary experience. Primary experience is achieved through direct installation of plumbing systems covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. Secondary experience is any on-the-job experience or training related to the installation of plumbing under Georgia code. Examples include installing plumbing pipes and fixtures as an apprentice or trainee, plumbing work performed as a maintenance employee, and education or instruction received during apprenticeship or while attending a vocational or college program.

Master Plumbing License. Candidates for Master Class 1 and Class 2 Plumber Licenses must gain five years of experience. Two of which must be primary experience. Master Class 2 licensees must document two years of experience in commercial or industrial plumbing.

Education may be applied toward the experience requirement when working for your journeyman license. A diploma program in Engineering Technology may be credited for up to two years of secondary experience, and a certificate program from a vocational training program counts for up to one year of secondary experience.

The Application Process

You must get Board approval before you can take the exam, which means completing the application. The initial application fee is $40. The application includes five sections:

Your personal information.

Primary experience documented by who you worked for, their license numbers, dates of employment, and description of duties.

Three notarized original references from licensed plumbers with personal knowledge of your experience.

Personal history and background check from your local law enforcement office.

Applicant affidavit attesting citizenship.

The Board has final approval of your application. Once that’s complete, the Board notifies PSI, who is the testing vendor, who will contact you with information on registering for the exam, paying the fee, and selecting an exam date.

The Georgia Plumber License Exam

The Master and Journeyman Plumbers Licensure exams are proctored by PSI. You need at least 70% to pass exam. All exams are open book. The Journeyman Plumber exam has 100 questions. The exam has a five (5) hour time limit divided into two 2.5-hour blocks separated by a break. The Master Class I and II exams must be completed within seven (7) hours. These exams are also divided into two parts, each with a 3.5-hour time limit. A break is scheduled between parts 1 and 2. The Master Class I exam has 80 questions, and the Master Class II exam has 100.

All exams include questions from the following topics:

General Laws

Regulations

Work Planning and Organizing

Perform Pipe Cutting and Joining Activities

Perform Plumbing Systems Installation Activities

Perform System Testing Activities

Performa Maintenance and Repair Activities

Safety-Related Issues

The Master Class I and II exams also have questions covering business law, administrative requirements, and plumbing system design.

Each test includes beta (pretest) questions. The Journeyman exam has 20 beta questions, the Master Class I has 24, and the Master Class II has 28. These test questions are disclosed (not marked as beta), but they will not be scored.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Licenses are renewed online between September and November of even years. Georgia requires all licensees to take four hours of continuing education (CE) each year, or eight hours per renewal. Licensees who have been licensed for less than two years only need to complete four hours of CE prior to their first renewal period.

Approved CE courses are in the areas of plumbing installation, design, state codes, products, innovation, tools, materials, safety, or work-related issues specific to the industry. Master plumbers may also take courses in environmental or business issues, including courses such as Human Resources and Labor Law and Contracts and Jobsite Management. All courses must be conducted through a school for higher education, vocation or technical school, trade, technical, or professional organization, or an approved provider under the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Licensees are required to keep records of all CE for a period of five years. Records should include provider information, course title, date and location, topics, CE hours, and documentation of attendance and completion.

Benefits of Being a Licensed Plumber in Georgia

Becoming a licensed plumber is a stable career that can span a lifetime. According to the BLS, 66% of plumbers are self-employed, indicating there are a lot of opportunities for ambitious plumbers to carve a name for themselves in the industry.

There is also a tremendous amount of flexibility within the industry. Plumbers work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Plumbers can choose to work in niches such as offices, schools, and hospitals or as industrial plumbers who work in manufacturing, power plants, or gas pipelines.

Your earning potential is based on your experience, specialty, and risk. With hard work, it is not unreasonable to earn six figures as a plumbing contractor.

How Plumbing Licensing Exam Prep Can Help

Georgia is experiencing a population boom which means a lot of opportunities for licensed plumbers. It takes about three years to become a licensed journeyman plumber in the state, but the good news is that you earn an income while you are training.

The exam is tough. However, you can increase the chances of getting licensed the first time around by being well prepared. We'll be launching a plumbing exam prep course soon, but in the meantime, consult our experts at Contractor Training Center. We’re here to help you during any stage of the licensing process.

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