Plumbing and HVAC rules in Georgia

Plumbers in Georgia hold a Master Plumber Class I (restricted) or Class II (unrestricted) license, or a journeyman license, from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board.^{1, 2, 3}

Heating and cooling contractors in Georgia hold a conditioned air contractor license from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board: Class I, restricted to 175,000 BTU of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling, or Class II, unrestricted.⁴

Georgia's plumbing code, a mandatory state minimum, is the 2024 International Plumbing Code with Georgia amendments, in effect since January 1, 2026.⁵ Georgia's mechanical code is the 2024 International Mechanical Code with Georgia amendments, in effect since the same date.⁶

Georgia's amendments delete the administration chapter of its plumbing and mechanical codes, leaving it as a guide for local governments writing their own procedures. Permit rules are local.^{5, 6}

If your home has a backflow preventer, your water utility can tell you whether it needs testing and who can test it.