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LicenseReciprocity

Plumber License from Georgia to Michigan: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing ↗

A plumbing license transfers from Georgia to Michigan by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing, verify your Georgia license, and meet Michigan's endorsement requirements. Michigan does not reciprocate with any state and waives its journey plumber exam for no one: every applicant, in-state or out, must pass Michigan's written AND practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations. An out-of-state plumber may receive credit for out-of-state experience — documented on the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form — toward the 6,000-hour eligibility requirement to be approved to sit for the exam, but the examination is mandatory..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

Georgia is not among the states Michigan names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing's individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. Michigan does not reciprocate with any state and waives its journey plumber exam for no one: every applicant, in-state or out, must pass Michigan's written AND practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations. An out-of-state plumber may receive credit for out-of-state experience — documented on the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form — toward the 6,000-hour eligibility requirement to be approved to sit for the exam, but the examination is mandatory.. Bring your Georgia license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.

What changes, Georgia → Michigan

Side-by-side: Georgia vs Michigan (Plumber (journeyman/master)), verified 2026-07-21
Georgia (current)Michigan (destination)
Application fee$80–$160 (Journeyman ~$80 ($70 application + $10 processing); master ~$160 ($150 application + $10 processing) per the Division's plumbing exam/initial-application form. Examination administered by PSI with a separate exam fee paid to PSI; that exam is waived only for a qualifying reciprocity applicant under Rule 121-2-.03. Fee figures obtained via search extraction of the Division's official forms because the sos.ga.gov fee-schedule PDF returned HTTP 403 on direct load)$40–$90 ($40 journey plumber license/application fee plus $50 examination fee (MCL 339.6121, Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407). The same fees apply to out-of-state applicants; the exam is administered by PSI.)
Processing timeNo board-stated processing time in weeks; the Division publishes exam dates and application deadlines and an application must be approved before the scheduled examinationNo board-stated processing time; the application, out-of-state verification, and license fee are mailed to LARA BCC and the exam is scheduled through PSI.
Licensing authorityGeorgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board — Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Office of the Secretary of State)Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Michigan sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Michigan's current requirements on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. At least 6,000 hours of plumbing experience gained over no less than 3 years as a registered plumbing apprentice under a licensed master or journey plumber (MCL 339.6115).
  5. Pass both the written and the practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations.
  6. Out-of-state applicants: submit the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form to document experience and be approved to sit for the exam.
  7. Be at least 18 years of age.
  8. Pay the fees ($40–$90 ($40 journey plumber license/application fee plus $50 examination fee (MCL 339.6121, Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407). The same fees apply to out-of-state applicants; the exam is administered by PSI.)) and allow No board-stated processing time; the application, out-of-state verification, and license fee are mailed to LARA BCC and the exam is scheduled through PSI..

Official links

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Does Michigan accept a Georgia plumbing license?

A plumbing license transfers from Georgia to Michigan by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing, verify your Georgia license, and meet Michigan's endorsement requirements. Michigan does not reciprocate with any state and waives its journey plumber exam for no one: every applicant, in-state or out, must pass Michigan's written AND practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations. An out-of-state plumber may receive credit for out-of-state experience — documented on the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form — toward the 6,000-hour eligibility requirement to be approved to sit for the exam, but the examination is mandatory..

Which exam applies moving from Georgia to Michigan?

Michigan does not reciprocate with any state and waives its journey plumber exam for no one: every applicant, in-state or out, must pass Michigan's written AND practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations. An out-of-state plumber may receive credit for out-of-state experience — documented on the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form — toward the 6,000-hour eligibility requirement to be approved to sit for the exam, but the examination is mandatory..

What does the Georgia-to-Michigan move cost and how long does it take?

$40–$90 ($40 journey plumber license/application fee plus $50 examination fee (MCL 339.6121, Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407). The same fees apply to out-of-state applicants; the exam is administered by PSI.); processing No board-stated processing time; the application, out-of-state verification, and license fee are mailed to LARA BCC and the exam is scheduled through PSI..

Can I keep my Georgia plumbing license after I'm licensed in Michigan?

Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Georgia credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]