Hiring a plumber in Georgia: licences and what to check
In Georgia, plumbers are licensed by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, through its Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. You check a plumber on the Secretary of State's License Lookup page, which opens the GOALS licensee search. Local Business America does not check licences, verify businesses or rank them. For prices, see our guide at /guides/plumber-hourly-rates-georgia.
Researched October 2026, from the official sources named on this page. Rules change, so confirm with the board before you rely on them.
The steps
- 1
Ask for the licence type and number
Ask the plumber for the name on the licence and the licence number. Ask whether it is a Journeyman or a Master Plumber licence, and which class if Master.
- 2
Open the License Lookup page
Go to Licensing: License Lookup: https://sos.ga.gov/licensing-division-license-lookup. Under Building & Contractors, pick Plumbers. It opens the GOALS licensee search.
- 3
Match the class to your home
A Class I Master Plumber licence is limited to single-family homes, one-level homes for not more than two families, and commercial buildings up to 10,000 square feet. Class II is unrestricted.
- 4
Get written estimates
The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division says to get written estimates from several companies for identical project specifications.
- 5
Put it in writing and pay by stage
Insist on a written contract with all guarantees, warranties and promises. Consider tying payments to completed stages, and do not pay for work that is incomplete.
Who licenses plumbers in Georgia
Plumbers are licensed by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. Its board members are appointed by the Governor. The state rule is called the Statewide Master and Journeyman Plumber License.
The state's plumbers page is called Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. The work is run through the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Secretary of State.
How to look up a plumber
The state's page is called Licensing: License Lookup. Under Building & Contractors it lists Plumbers. The link opens the GOALS licensee search, where you can search for a licensed individual or a licensed facility.
Check that the name matches the person or company you are dealing with. If the lookup does not work, call the Licensing Division at (404) 424-9966. It is at 3920 Arkwright Rd., Suite 195, Macon, Georgia 31210.
Journeyman and Master Plumber licences
A Journeyman Plumber must show a minimum of one year of experience in plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code.
A Master Plumber must show a minimum of five years of experience, with at least two of those years licensed as a Journeyman Plumber. A Master Plumber must also pass the exam.
A Class I Master Plumber licence is limited to plumbing in single-family homes, one-level homes designed for not more than two families, and commercial buildings up to 10,000 square feet. A Class II licence is unrestricted. For a big or unusual building, ask which class the plumber holds.
What to ask before you hire, and how to complain
The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division says to ask for references from similar projects, to contact each one, and to inspect the work if you can. It also says to get written estimates and a written contract.
To report a problem with a licensed plumber, file a complaint online through GOALS. The state's page is called How To Submit A Licensing Complaint. You will need the plumber's name and licence number. There is a separate form for someone with no licence.
The state says boards cannot settle fee disputes. For money problems, it says legal advice or civil court is an option.
What this site does and does not do
Local Business America does not check licences, verify businesses or rank them. We are not a licensing body.
For prices, read our guide at /guides/plumber-hourly-rates-georgia. Then check each plumber's licence with the state yourself.
Common questions
- Who licenses plumbers in Georgia?
- The State Construction Industry Licensing Board, through its Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. The Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division runs the work.
- Where do I check a plumber's licence?
- Use the License Lookup page at https://sos.ga.gov/licensing-division-license-lookup. Choose Plumbers under Building & Contractors.
- What plumber licences are there?
- Journeyman Plumber and Master Plumber. Master Plumber licences are Class I or Class II.
- What can a Class I Master Plumber do?
- Class I is limited to single-family homes, one-level homes for not more than two families, and commercial buildings up to 10,000 square feet. The state rules call Class II unrestricted.
- How much experience does a Master Plumber need?
- A minimum of five years in plumbing work, with at least two of them licensed as a Journeyman Plumber.
- How do I report a plumber?
- File a complaint online through GOALS. Give the name, address and licence number if you have them, and describe what happened.
- Should I pay up front?
- The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division says to consider tying payments to completed stages of the job, and not to pay for any work that is incomplete.