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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

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State Business & Law Exam
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State Electrical Exams
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Construction Work Regulated?

In Georgia, contractors performing conditioned air (HVAC), electrical, low-voltage, underground utility, plumbing, and medical gas work must be licensed through the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Residential and commercial general contractors are licensed and regulated by the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.

In addition to state licensing requirements, certain cities and counties may require local licenses, registrations, permits, or approvals for specific trades or construction activities.

Who Regulates Construction?

Information and applications for prequalification on public works contracts may be obtained from:

Georgia Department of Transportation
600 West Peachtree Street North West
Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 631-1147
https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/prequalification.aspx

Information and applications for conditioned air, electrical, low voltage, plumbing, medical gas and underground utility contractor licenses may be obtained from:

Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board
3920 Arkwright Rd. Suite 195
Macon, GA 31210
(404) 424-9966
https://sos.ga.gov/

Information and applications for residential and commercial contractor licenses may be obtained from:

Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial Contractors
3920 Arkwright Rd. Suite 195
Macon, GA 31217
(404) 242-9966
https://sos.ga.gov/

Information and application materials for asbestos contractor licensing, lead-based paint firm accreditation, and lead-based paint professional licenses including Worker, Inspector, Risk Assessor, Project Supervisor, and Project Designer classifications may be obtained from:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division Lead-Based Paint & Asbestos Unit
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
Suite 1456 East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 363-7026 Fax (404) 362-2607

Main: https://epd.georgia.gov/
Asbestos: https://epd.georgia.gov/about-us/land-protection-branch/recovered-materials-and-abatement/asbestos
Lead-Based Paint: https://epd.georgia.gov/about-us/land-protection-branch/recovered-materials-and-abatement/lead-based-paint

Effective December 9, 2010, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) assumed responsibility for administering the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Program within the state. Any business or individual advertising, contracting for, or performing regulated RRP activities in Georgia must obtain the required certifications for both the firm and the certified renovator.

Information and application materials for RRP firm certification and renovator certification may be obtained through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

Information and application materials for Boiler Contractor and Elevator Contractor licenses may be obtained from:

Georgia Office of Insurance & Safety Fire Commissioner Safety Engineering
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Suite 702, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-2070 Toll-Free: (800) 656-2298
https://oci.georgia.gov/

Non-resident contractors may file tax bonds and register contracts with:

Georgia Department of Revenue Taxpayer Services Division, Contracting Unit
1800 Century Boulevard North East
Atlanta, GA 30345
(404) 417-6605 or (877) 423-6711
https://dor.georgia.gov

Requirements?

Highway Contractor Prequalification: Contractors seeking highway prequalification must demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience. Prime contractors are also required to submit CPA-audited financial statements as part of the application process. Prequalification approvals remain valid for 24 months, and applications are typically processed within 30 days.

Residential and Commercial General Contractors: The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors requires applicants in all license classifications to meet both examination and experience requirements. Applicants must successfully complete a two-part examination covering their specific license classification as well as Georgia business and law requirements. Examinations are administered through PSI, the Board's approved testing provider.

Exam Type / Exam Fee
Georgia Business & Law / $60
Georgia Residential Basic Contractor / $72
Georgia Residential/Light Commercial Individual / $72
NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors / $106

Georgia Department of Revenue Requirements: Out-of-state contractors are required to post a bond equal to 10% of the contract value with the Georgia Department of Revenue. The bond is generally released two years after the Department receives proper notification that the project has been completed.

In addition, construction contracts valued at more than $10,000 must be registered with the Georgia Department of Revenue. A $10 registration fee is required for each contract.

Electricians: To qualify for a license, applicants must have four years of experience and pass a written exam. Contractors must complete at least four hours of continuing education per year. Applications for renewal must document completion of education. Licenses expire on June 30th of even numbered years.

Low Voltage: Applicants for a low voltage license must have one year of low voltage experience and pass an examination. Licenses expire on August 31st of odd numbered years.

License Type / Application Fee / Exam Fee / Renewal Fee
Electrical / $100 / $288 / $100
Low Voltage / $100 / $207 / $100

Conditioned Air (HVAC): Applicants for a Conditioned Air Contractor license must possess at least three years of qualifying experience and successfully pass the required licensing examination. Licensed contractors are required to complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education annually, and proof of completion must be submitted with each renewal application.

Conditioned Air licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years.

License Type / Application Fee / Exam Fee / Renewal Fee
Contractor/ $100 / $267 / $100

Plumbers: Applicants for a Georgia Master Plumber license must document at least five years of qualifying plumbing experience, including a minimum of two years as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. Applicants seeking a Class II Master Plumber license must also demonstrate experience in commercial and/or industrial plumbing systems.

Applicants for a Journeyman Plumber license must document the required qualifying experience in plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code. Generally, Master Plumber applicants must have five years of experience, while Journeyman applicants must have at least three years of experience. Both license classifications require successful completion of the applicable licensing examination.

Licensed plumbers are required to complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education annually. Proof of continuing education must be submitted with each license renewal application.

To obtain a Medical Gas System Certification, applicants must hold a current Master or Journeyman Plumber license and successfully complete an approved medical gas certification program.

Plumbing licenses expire on November 30 of even-numbered years.

License Type / Application Fee / Exam Fee / Renewal Fee
Master / $100 / $207 / $100
Journeyman / $100 / $207 / $100

Utility Contractors: To obtain a Utility Contractor license, a company must employ a licensed Utility Manager and maintain an active safety program.

Applicants seeking a Utility Manager certificate must document at least two years of qualifying experience and successfully pass the required written examination. Utility Foreman applicants must complete an approved safety training program before certification.

Utility Contractor licenses expire on April 30 of odd-numbered years.

License Type / Application Fee/ Exam Fee / Renewal Fee
Contractor / $100 / N/A / $100
Foreman / $100 / N/A / $100
Manager / $100 / $207 / $100

Reciprocal Agreements

Georgia maintains reciprocity agreements for Residential Contractor licenses with Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. General Contractor licenses are eligible for reciprocity with Louisiana and Mississippi.

Applicants seeking licensure through reciprocity should review the Board's requirements, as eligibility criteria and documentation requirements may vary by state and license classification.