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How to become a plumber in Georgia

The license steps in Georgia, from apprentice to master or contractor, taken from the official licensing pages – plus pay, apprenticeships and where to apply.

The short answer

Georgia has no state apprentice license; document at least 1 year of plumbing experience and pass the PSI exam for a Journeyman license, then document 5 years of experience (at least 2 as a licensed journeyman) and pass the exam for a Master Plumber Class I or Class II license.

The steps in Georgia

  1. 1

    Start as an apprentice

    The official pages we checked do not set out a separate apprentice registration in Georgia. Most plumbers still start in an apprenticeship – see below. Ask the licensing office for the current rule.

  2. 2

    Earn your journeyman (first independent) license

    Journeyman plumber applicants must document at least one year of plumbing experience and score at least 70 on the state exam, which is given by PSI.

  3. 3

    Master or contractor license

    Master plumber applicants must document at least five years of plumbing experience, at least two of them as a licensed journeyman, and pass the exam; Class I is limited to small residential and commercial work while Class II has no restrictions and requires commercial or industrial experience.

  4. 4

    Keep your license current

    Licenses renew every two years by November 30 of even-numbered years, with 4 hours of continuing education required each year (8 hours per renewal).

Who licenses plumbers in Georgia

Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers (Secretary of State). License types we found: Master Plumber Class I, Master Plumber Class II, Journeyman Plumber.

Official application page

Already licensed? Anyone can check a license on goals.sos.ga.gov.

Licensed in another state?

Georgia does not have reciprocity with any other state for master or journeyman plumber licenses.

Finding an apprenticeship

Most plumbers learn the trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year plus classroom instruction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeships are paid jobs with progressive wage increases, classroom instruction and a portable, nationally recognized credential; programs are approved by the Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Search programs at apprenticeship.gov, or ask local plumbing contractors and union locals.

Pay and job outlook

$63,800

Median yearly pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, May 2025 (BLS).

7%

Projected job growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 openings a year (BLS).

4-5 years

Typical apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year (BLS).

National figures from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; pay varies by state and city.

Already a plumber in Georgia?

58 plumbing businesses are listed on Plumbers Pages so far. Add your business free, or see plumbers in Georgia.

Sources

Requirements come from Georgia’s official licensing pages and statutes, checked October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the licensing office before you apply.

  1. rules.sos.ga.gov/GAC/121-3
  2. sos.ga.gov/page/division-master-and-journeyman-plumbers-faq
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
  4. U.S. Department of Labor – Apprenticeship.gov for career seekers

General information, not legal advice. All states · How we write our guides

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