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

What's different between Georgia and Florida

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Florida. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Georgia to Florida (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

Florida to Georgia (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Georgia matter?

Georgia gets Florida's most common result: 41 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.

The others get: no state license to transfer (9).

Application fee

Florida lists $350 for an out-of-state applicant and Georgia lists $80–$160 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Exam rules on record

Florida and Georgia carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Florida (this move): Florida licenses plumbing CONTRACTORS, not journeymen (journeyman/tradesworker plumbers are licensed by county and municipal governments). Its Certified Plumbing Contractor examination is waived for out-of-state applicants who certify by endorsement under s. 489.115(3): by passing a national/regional/state exam the board deems substantially equivalent (Option A), holding a license issued under substantially equivalent criteria (Option B), or holding an active license for at least 10 years (Option C); the board warns endorsement based on comparing a state-specific exam is rarely approved. Applicants who do not qualify for endorsement must pass the Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor exam
• Georgia (the reverse move): Under Board Rule 121-2-.03 ('Statewide License by Reciprocity') Georgia may issue a journeyman or master plumber license WITHOUT its own examination to an applicant holding a current out-of-state license that was granted by passing an exam given by a board whose examination and requirements are substantially equal to Georgia's and that offers a reciprocal privilege to Georgia licensees; however, the Division's FAQ states Georgia currently has no reciprocity with any state, so in practice out-of-state applicants must pass the Georgia plumber examination (minimum score 70)

What changes, Georgia → Florida

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

Step by step

1. Confirm Florida's current requirements on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
4. No state journeyman plumber license: the state (DBPR / Construction Industry Licensing Board) licenses plumbing contractors, while journeyman plumbers are licensed locally by counties and municipalities.
5. Certify by endorsement (form CILB 10) via a substantially-equivalent exam, a substantially-equivalent out-of-state license, or at least 10 years of active licensure.
6. Submit electronic fingerprints for a state (FDLE) and federal (FBI) background check.
7. Provide a credit report with a FICO score of 660+ (or complete a 14-hour financial-responsibility course) and carry required liability and workers'-compensation insurance.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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