How to Acquire Georgia Plumbing License

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Acquiring a Georgia plumbing license requires 3 years of apprenticeship and admission at a vocational-technical school (optional).

P.S. ignore if training has already been completed.

Firstly, since Georgia is witnessing the throes of plumbing contractors, pipefitters, and steamfitters, you are going to win more jobs than you can even think of.

Secondly, there are three types of plumbing licenses Georgia awards, which you will be well-versed in throughout this article.

Parallelly, you will also know the process of obtaining a plumbing license in Georgia. From how much time it takes to obtain a job to clearing examinations and application fees to the median salary of plumbers – everything at your desk without switching websites or tabs.

Eligibility Criteria for Different Types of Georgia Plumbing Licenses

Before introducing the three statewide different types of plumbing licenses, tick mark the following basic licensing requirements.

  • Are you above 18 years?
  • Do you have a high school diploma certificate?
  • Are you physically fit to perform plumbing jobs?
  • Do you know three plumbing professionals to introduce as your attestant?
  • Are you ready to pay $10,000 as a surety bond?

So, these are the basic requirements to become a plumbing contractor. We hope you have tick-marked all of them.

Let’s move ahead.

Since you know there are three types of plumbing licenses, let’s discuss the
requirements Georgia demands to award licenses.

Before introducing, let us know:

  • Do you have three years of plumbing experience?

1. Journeyman Plumbers License

Journeyman plumbers is a beginner’s job wherein you are awarded a license on being professionally qualified for it. It means you must work as a helper or trainee under the supervision of a master plumber.

The three years of professional experience include:

  • Primary experience: when you install plumbing equipment under a master plumber’s supervision is what is called primary experience.
  • Secondary experience: This is where you are indirectly involved in training or installing plumbing fixtures.

Do you know?

Becoming only a journeyman plumber would get you paid somewhere between $25-$50 in Georgia. And over time spent would attract $6,750 per annum.

Source credit: indeed.com

2. Master plumber license class I (Restricted)

Master plumbing license class I has strict guidelines, which include:

  • Five years for qualifying master plumber license.
  • Out of five years, two years as a licensed plumbing foreman, plumbing superintendent, journeyman plumber, and military plumber.

Other than this class, I have a master plumber license and can repair plumbing fixtures in single-family buildings to a maximum of two families, or commercial buildings not more than 10,000 square feet.

Do you know?

On average, a class I master plumber earns around $30 an hour. On the other hand, a yearly bonus would sum to $14,000. Ain’t it an attractive amount to grab?

Source credit: payscale.com

3. Master Plumber License Class II (Unrestricted)

Master plumbers class II applies for a license with the same guidelines as the master plumbing class. The only difference is when applying for master class II plumber, you must also furnish commercial or industrial experience as a plumber.

Do you know?

On average, a class II master plumber earns around $37 an hour.

Source credit: indeed.com

So that is how much you would earn if you worked as a plumber in the US post-receiving your license. Now let’s discuss how you would obtain a plumbing license.

How to Apply for a Plumbing License in Georgia?

There are two ways to apply for a plumbing license; one is by mailing your documents in a 9*12 envelope to Georgia Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers:

  • 237 Coliseum Drive
    Macon, Georgia 31217

Another method is by applying through an online portal.

Here is the link to register yourself as a:

  • Person
  • Business or facility
  • Charity
  • Fill the form and attach a copy of the background check completed through your local law enforcement agency.
  • Attach experience information about your plumbing work.
  • Do not forget to mention any disciplinary actions/sanctions applicable to you.
  • Add three reference names in the downloaded form, out of which one must be a licensed master plumber.

Note:

Add Journeyman plumber license verification along with other documents mentioned above if applying for master class I and class II licenses.

Along with the license application form, pay an initial non-refundable fee of $30. Besides, you have to also pay $5 as an online processing fee and $10 for a mail-in processing fee. That’s all for applying for a Georgia plumbing license.

Now that you have sent your license application to the state authority, what’s next? Get to know about it in the next section.

What happens post-submitting an application for a plumbing license?

When the board approves your application, you are eligible to appear in the state-conducted plumbing license exam.

1. Exams to clear for plumbing license in Georgia

Once your application is reviewed and approved by the licensing board; the board will notify you about the same. Also, they would allow you to select for which examination you want to appear, i.e., journeyman, master class I, or master class II. Upon sending the examination application, you also have to pay the examination fee, which is:

  • $233 for the journeyman plumber exam
  • $267 for the master plumber exam

Since the state of Georgia has contracted with PSI/AMP testing services, the testing center will send you a Candidate Information Bulletin under which examination topics are included.

The Georgia Journeyman exam includes:

  • 20 Pre-test questions + 100 test questions

The Georgia master class I exam includes:

  • 24 Pre-test questions + 120 test questions

The Georgia master class II exam includes:

  • 28 Pre-test questions + 140 test questions

How much time to complete the examination?

Journeyman examination: 2.5 hours for pre-test questions + 2.5 hours for test questions

Master plumbers examination: 3.5 hours for pre-test questions + 3.5 hours for test questions

If you submit the exam before the deadline and achieve 70%, you are eligible to receive a license for the selected type.

You are halfway through obtaining a plumber’s license, but what happens once you get a Georgia state license for plumbing? It opens up ample doors of opportunities for you.

How Does Getting a Plumber’s License Benefit You?

Acquiring plumbers license benefits you in several ways:

  • Evidence as experience and skill
  • Required by law in Georgia
  • Licensed plumbers gets to operate plumbing company or promote plumbing services, acquire commercial insurance, pull permits for buildings, bid on governmental and public projects
  • Protects your plumbing company and customers’ interest
  • Competitive advantage
  • Compounds your earning capacity

So, these are the benefits of acquiring a plumber’s license. Now let’s answer some common plumbing-related questions.

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Frequently Asked Questions
  1. What is the average salary of an apprentice plumber?

    The median salary of an apprentice plumber is somewhere around $17-$22. On top of salary if the apprentice plumbing contractor does overtime, then they are paid $5,500 per annum.


  2. How much does it cost to get a journeyman license?

    The cost breakage to become a licensed journeyman plumber is as follows:

    • $30 as an application fee
    • $223 as an exam fee

  3. How much does it cost to get a master class I & class II license?

    The cost breakage to become a licensed master class I and II plumber is as follows:

    • $30 as an application fee
    • $267 as an exam fee

  4. Which education can set off against plumbing work experience?

    If you have completed a diploma program in engineering technology from a technical trade school, you may be relieved with two years of secondary work experience.

    If you have completed a program from a vocational-technical school, then you only have to work for a year under secondary experience, and the rest of one year would be set off against the certificate.


  5. What time does it take to get a Georgia plumbers license?

    When applying for a Georgia Journeyman license, you must have three years of work experience.

    On the other hand, if you are applying for a master class I or II license, you must have five years of work experience to qualify for the license exam.


  6. What are the main subjects to clear the Georgia plumbers exam?

    The main subjects are:

    • General Laws
    • Regulations Obey
    • Planning/Organizing Work
    • Perform Pipe Cutting and Joining Activities
    • Perform Plumbing Systems Installation Activities
    • Perform System Testing Activities
    • Perform Maintenance and Repair Activities
    • Safety-related Issues
    • Calculations

  7. Does a Georgia plumbing license work in other states?

    No, you cannot work in other states as a plumber with a Georgia plumbing license.


  8. Should you renew your plumbing license?

    Yes, as a plumber in Georgia, you must renew your plumbing license every 2 years. Apply for renewal before the expiration date. The state government sends a renewal email to every plumbing license holder eight weeks before expiry. The renewal fee for a plumbing license is $75. You will only be qualified for renewal if you have completed continuing education.

Conclusion

Opening a plumbing business in Georgia is a win-win situation for you. Or you would start experiencing it if you are a journeyman plumber, wanting to upgrade yourself. We hope you don’t wait for anything and start preparing for your license before anyone else does.

And since you are on the way to becoming a licensed plumber, you will need estimating and invoicing software. Software that automates administrative tasks, such as creating estimates and invoices. Also, sync your invoices with accounting software so that you can file taxes easily. Gone are the days of staying awake late at night, remembering all the clients and services rendered.

Subscribe to InvoiceOwl and forget all the hassles that you could even imagine with estimating and invoicing. Try now and see how the software could become your helping hand.

Author Bio
Jeel Patel
Jeel Patel
Founder

Jeel Patel is the founder of InvoiceOwl, a top-rated estimating and invoicing software that simplifies the invoicing and estimating processes for contractor businesses. Jeel holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Toronto, which has provided him with a strong foundation in business principles and practices. With understanding of the challenges faced by contractors, he conducted extensive research and developed a tool to streamline the invoicing and estimating processes for contractors. Read More

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