Georgia plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Georgia plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards)), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,068 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Georgia?
| Who licenses them | Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber Class I (restricted), Master Plumber Class II (unrestricted), Journeyman Plumber |
| When a license is required | None stated (no dollar exemption found in board rules) |
Class I master plumbers are limited to single-family homes, one-level two-family homes and commercial buildings up to 10,000 sq ft; Class II is unrestricted. Plumbing permits are issued by your city or county.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Georgia?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Georgia plumbing license lookup run by Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards).
What plumbing licenses does Georgia issue?
- Master Plumber Class I (restricted)
- Master Plumber Class II (unrestricted)
- Journeyman Plumber
How do you get a plumbing license in Georgia?
Licenses are issued by the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Georgia?
The Census Bureau counted 3,068 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Georgia in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Gwinnett County | 367 |
|---|---|
| Cobb County | 210 |
| Cherokee County | 140 |
| Fulton County | 124 |
| DeKalb County | 122 |
| Hall County | 98 |
| Chatham County | 85 |
| Forsyth County | 81 |
What do Georgia homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Georgia was built in 1991, 35% of households rent and 71% of homes are single-family houses. 38% of homes heat with utility gas and 56% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Georgia?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Georgia licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.