Short answer: Georgia plumbing licenses are issued by the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers under the Georgia Secretary of State's State Construction Industry Licensing Board. There are three main types. A Journeyman Plumber has at least one year of qualifying experience under the board's rules. A Master Plumber Class I is limited to single-family dwellings, one-level dwellings for no more than two families, and commercial structures of no more than 10,000 square feet. A Master Plumber Class II is unrestricted. You can verify any license through the Georgia Secretary of State's online license lookup.
The three Georgia plumbing license types
| License | Experience required (board rules) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber | At least one year of plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code | Plumbing work; does not by itself make someone the responsible master on a job |
| Master Plumber, Class I | Five years of plumbing experience, at least two of them as a licensed Journeyman | Restricted to single-family dwellings, one-level dwellings designed for not more than two families, and commercial structures not exceeding 10,000 square feet |
| Master Plumber, Class II | The same five years plus documented commercial or industrial plumbing experience | Unrestricted |
For almost every home in Smyrna, a Master Plumber Class I or Class II is qualified to take responsibility for the job. A large condo building or commercial property may require a Class II.
Who issues and regulates licenses
The Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards division administers the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, which includes the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers. The board sets experience requirements, exams and renewal rules. Licenses renew every two years and continuing education is required for renewal. Third-party guides also list a surety bond among licensing requirements; check the board for current details.
How to verify a Georgia plumber's license
- Ask the plumber for their full name and Georgia license number. A licensed plumber will have it handy.
- Go to the Georgia Secretary of State's license verification site, verify.sos.ga.gov.
- Search by the person's name or license number, and select the plumbing profession.
- Check that the license is active, the type (Journeyman, Master Class I or Class II), and the expiration date.
- Look for any public disciplinary actions listed with the license.
A company itself is not licensed as a plumber in Georgia; the individual plumber is. Ask which licensed master plumber is responsible for your job and look that person up.
A real person answers 24 hours a day and tells you what to do first, before anyone comes out.
Permits in Smyrna
Many plumbing jobs need a permit, including water heater replacements, new or replaced water and sewer lines, repipes and remodels that move fixtures. Permits are issued by the local building department: the City of Smyrna for addresses inside the city limits, and Cobb County for unincorporated areas with a Smyrna address. The permit triggers an inspection that checks the work against code. A licensed plumber knows which jobs need permits and usually pulls them. Ask whether your plumber will pull the permit.
Simple repairs like replacing a flapper, a faucet cartridge or a toilet usually do not need a permit. When in doubt, ask the plumber or the building department.
Red flags when hiring a plumber
- No license number, or a reluctance to share one
- A license in a different name than the person doing the work, with no explanation
- Pressure to decide on the spot, especially for a large job
- Large cash payments up front
- Telling you a permit is not needed for a water heater, sewer or water line replacement
- No paperwork describing the work done
- Recommending a full sewer replacement without camera footage
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who is the licensed master plumber responsible for this job?
- Are you insured for liability and workers' compensation?
- Will you pull the permits, haul away old parts and patch any openings?
- What is the warranty on labor? On parts?
- Will you show me photos or camera footage of the problem?
- How soon can you start, and how long will it take?
About this site and our plumbers
Plumber Smyrna GA connects Smyrna homeowners with independent, licensed Georgia plumbers. When you call, ask for the name and license number of the plumber coming to your home, and look them up using the steps above. We encourage it.
More help
Plumbing services in Smyrna
- Emergency plumber in Smyrna: 24/7 burst pipes, no water, backups and leaks.
- Drain cleaning in Smyrna: Clogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main line backups.
- Leak detection & slab leaks in Smyrna: Hidden leaks in walls, slabs and yard lines.
- Pipe repair & repiping in Smyrna: Burst pipes, polybutylene and galvanized replacement.
- Water heater repair & installation in Smyrna: Tank and tankless repair and replacement.
- Sewer line repair in Smyrna: Camera inspection, roots, breaks and replacement.
- Water line repair in Smyrna: Main service line from the meter to the house.
- Toilet & faucet repair in Smyrna: Running toilets, drips, fixtures and disposals.
Helpful Smyrna plumbing guides
Neighborhoods we serve
Licensed plumbers for homes in Market Village & Williams Park, Forest Hills, Bennett Woods & Cooper Lake, Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights, Belmont Hills & King Springs, Vinings, Cumberland & The Battery, Mableton & Riverview. See every Smyrna service area or contact us.
Sources
Written and reviewed by Alex, a Smyrna local with an MBA who researches and edits every page on this site, citing official and published sources. Updated October 25, 2026.
Plumbing work is performed by independent, licensed Georgia plumbers. General information, not legal or insurance advice.