Who is eligible to become
a member of PMA?
Companies that are licensed
to perform plumbing, heating,
cooling, or mechanical services
in Georgia are eligible to
become contractor members
of PMA. Nonvoting membership
is also available to the following:
Industry Members – companies
that supply goods or services
to the PHC/Mechanical industry;Associate
Members – other companies
that support the mission of
PMA.For more information on
membership, go to the Membership
page.
Contractor Members also become
members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors-National
Association (PHCC). Top
When are meetings held?
PMA, as a statewide organization,
has two major meetings per
year, including an
annual meeting and convention
in the summer and a fall
retreat. Education classes
are conducted throughout the
year in different cities.
There are also local area
meetings where contractors
can network and learn more
about business issues.
The state PMA is available
to help establish additional
area meetings. Contact the
Executive Director at the
PMA office if you are interested
in helping to establish an
area meeting. Our national
association of PHC contractors
has an annual meeting convention.
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How are contractors
licensed in Georgia?
The State Construction Industry
Licensing Board licenses companies
and/or individuals for plumbing
and mechanical contracting
in Georgia. The licensing
board has a division for plumbing
and for conditioned air contracting.
Applicants must pass a licensing
exam. For more information,
contact the licensing board
at 478-207-1416. Top
Is there a good way
to make sure I am prepared
to take the plumbing licensing
exam?
PMA conducts a Plumbing Review
Course. If you have already
learned plumbing and meet
the experience requirements
to take the licensing exam,
you may want to take PMA's
20-hour review course to help
you prepare for taking the
exam. The 20 hours of instruction
and discussion are scheduled
for Thursday evening, Friday
and Saturday. At least four
classes are held in the Atlanta
area each year. Classes are
held in other cities where
there is sufficient interest.Pre-registration
is required. Click here for
registration information.
Top
Is continuing education
required for licensees in
Georgia?
Yes. Plumbing licensees must
obtain 4 hours per year of
continuing education (CE).
This also applies to Conditioned
Air Contractor licensees.
The licensing board will accept
classes conducted by technical
schools, colleges, and trade
associations. PMA conducts
classes
throughout the year. Pre-registration
is required. Click here for
registration information.
The law requires 4 hours of
CE per year, and PMA strongly
recommends that licensees
obtain 4 hours every year.
But we are often asked if
it is permissible for a licensee
to get 8 hours over a two
year period. Since the licensing
board issues renewal licenses
for a two-year period, it
can only effectively enforce
8 hours over the two-year
renewal period, and it has
issued a rule to this effect.
Top
What is the building code
in Georgia?
In Georgia, state construction
codes are adopted by the Department
of Community Affairs.
Georgia uses the International
Plumbing Code and the Fuel
Gas Code and with Georgia
amendments. Top
Where can I purchases copies
of the building codes?
International Code Council
900 Montclair Road
Birmingham, AL 35213
Telephone: 888-447-2224 or
205-591-1853
(also available: International
Plumbing Code Commentary)
Engineer's Bookstore
748 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA 30318
Telephone: 404-221-1669 or
800-635-5919
Fax 404-221-1119
DeKalb Bookstore, Inc.
448 North Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, GA 30021
Telephone: 404-294-8635
Architectural Book Center/AIA
Georgia
231 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite-B04
Atlanta, GA 30303-1603
Telephone: 404-222-9920 or
800-850-4299
Fax 404-222-9916
Top
How can I obtain a copy of
pending state legislation
or contact my state legislator?
The state of Georgia makes
extensive legislative information
and information on state agencies
available on the world wide
web at http://www.legis.state.ga.us/
You can also call the Information
Office at the state capitol:
House of Representatives (404-656-5082)
Senate (404-656-0028) Top
Does the PMA Hotline newsletter
accept advertising?
Yes. Full-page 8.5 x 11 inch
ads are published in the Hotline.
Rates are $450 per issue full
page ad. The newsletter is
distributed to 400+ members,
prospective members, officials
and key industry contacts.
Ad. copy in electronic format
must be delivered to PMA by
the 20th of the month. Call
or e-mail Ellen Whitaker at
PMA for available issues.
Top
A consumer has a problem with
polybutylene pipe and heard
there is a reimbursement program.
Where can I find more information
on this program?
The web address is
http://www.pbpipe.com/
Yes. The reimbursement program
is handled by the Plumbing
Claims Group, 800-356-3496.
Top
Where can a consumer file
a complaint about a contractor?
Members of PMA must be licensed
and agree to abide by a code
of fair business practices
when they join PMA. If a consumer
has a complaint about a member,
they may call PMA at 770-271-9876.
PMA will discuss the complaint
with our member and ask them
to review the matter with
the consumer and resolve it
if possible. If the contractor
is not a PMA member, the Association
has no method of being involved
in the complaint. Contractors
are licensed by the State
Construction Industry Licensing
Board, a division of the Georgia
Secretary of State's office.
The licensing board has the
legal responsibility to investigate
complaints against licensees
and to take disciplinary action
if appropriate. If the consumer
cannot resolve the problem
with the contractor, a complaint
may be filed with the licensing
board by calling 478-207-1416.
Or visit the licensing
board's web site. The
board must have specific facts.
This can be provided by completing
a complaint
form.
Consumers should be aware
that a lot of work is being
performed by unlicensed contractors.
Georgia law requires that
anyone contracting for plumbing
work must hold a Master Plumber
license. The licensing board
is also responsible for investigating
unlicensed work. A complaint
about unlicensed work should
be filed using the complaint
form referred to above.
The fact that plumbing licenses
are issued to individuals,
not companies, makes it harder
for consumers to find out
whether or not the company
they are dealing with is properly
licensed. For this reason
a law was passed several years
ago requiring the licensing
board to register contracting
companies and cross-reference
this registration to a master
plumber license. Unfortunately,
the licensing board has not
yet issued any registration
numbers to plumbing contractors,
so this method of controlling
unlicensed work is not available
to assist consumers at this
time.
Work on heating and cooling
systems may only be performed
by persons holding a Conditioned
Air Contracting license. Consumers
are now able to call the licensing
board, give the name of the
company they are dealing with,
and find out if the conditioned
air or mechanical company
is properly registered or
licensed to perform this work.
Or visit the licensing
board web site.
Top
Why Should I Care If My Plumber
Is A Member of PMA?
Recently a customer wrote,
“I was impressed by the professionalism
of Mr. Bell. Also, I had confidence
in his work because of his
membership in a professional
organization.” Some people
find this very important.
They know that if their plumber,
laundry or auto mechanic is
a member of an association,
he or she cares enough about
their business to join with
like-minded businesses to
improve their industry. Isn't
this the kind of company you
want working for you?Top
Where can I find a school
for backflow prevention certification?
View a list of backflow
cert schools. Top
Where do I get the application
for a Certificate of Authority
to Install, Maintain or Service
Boilers?
the link to the Department
of Labor website below to
download - Application a certificate
of Authority to Install, Maintain
or Service Boiler(pdf).
http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pdf/forms/dol4257.pdf.
Top
Do I have to pre-register
for classes?
Due to Financial commitments
to arrange this program, registration
is non cancelable. Registrants
who are unable to attend may
send a substitute. However,
fees received after a class
is filled, or cancelled due
to insufficient registration
will be refunded in full.
Top
What is PMA’s cancellation
policy?
Plumbing Review Cancellation
Policy: You may cancel space
in the course 72 hours prior
to the first day of class;
fees will be refunded less
the $100.00 non-refundable
fee. Any cancellations less
than 72 hours in advance will
not be refunded. However,
fees received after a class
is filled, or cancelled due
to insufficient registration
will be refunded in full.
Continuing Education Cancellation
Policy: In order to receive
a refund, less a $15.00 processing
fee, PMA must receive written
cancellation three (3) business
days prior to the event. Registrants
who are unable to attend may
send a substitute. Any cancellations
less than three (3) business
days in advance will not be
refunded. However, fees received
after a class is filled, or
cancelled due to insufficient
registration will be refunded
in full.
Top
Where can I buy code
books?
Engineer's
Bookstore
748 Marietta St. NW
Atlanta GA 30318
404-221-1669 |
Southern
Polytechnic Bookstore
1100 S. Marietta Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060
678-915-7355 |
International
Code Council
900 Montclair Rd
Birmingham AL 35213
888-447-2224
or 205-591-1853 |
Top
Where do I get an
application to take the state
licensing exam?
Applications for taking the
licensing examinations can
be obtained from the State
Construction Licensing Board:
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/construct/
or phone 478-207-1416. The
deadlines for applying to
the State Licensing Board
to take the 2007 licensing
exams are Top
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