Plumber licensing in Massachusetts

Scope of Work

A Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber performs plumbing work in the employ of a licensed Master Plumber. The Master Plumber is the license class authorized to contract for plumbing work, maintain a regular place of business, and pull permits in the master's name; the journeyman works under that master's authority. The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters is the issuing authority, established under M.G.L. c.142 and implementing regulations at 248 CMR. Source: Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-state-examiners-of-plumbers-and-gas-fitters); 248 CMR 11.02 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/248-CMR-11-02).

Apprentice Registration

Before counting hours toward journeyman, the applicant must hold a Massachusetts Apprentice Plumber license issued by the Board and work under the direct supervision of a Massachusetts-licensed master plumber, or a journeyman plumber in a master's employ. The apprentice license must be on file before hours begin to accrue. Source: 248 CMR 11.02 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/248-CMR-11-02).

Journeyman Experience and Education

For apprentices licensed on or after September 1, 2008, the Board requires 6,800 clock hours of documented practical experience as a licensed apprentice under the direct supervision of a Massachusetts-licensed master or journeyman plumber, completed over a period of not less than four years. Apprentices licensed prior to September 1, 2008 are held to the prior standard of 8,000 clock hours. In addition, the applicant must complete 550 clock hours of plumbing and gas fitting theory from a Board-approved provider, delivered as a five-tier program of 110 clock hours per tier, over the four-year apprenticeship, culminating in a school or instructor-designed examination. Source: 248 CMR 11.02 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/248-CMR-11-02); 248 CMR 11.06 tiered program.

Master Plumber

Progression from journeyman to master requires not less than one year of practical experience totaling a minimum of 1,700 clock hours as a holder of a Massachusetts journeyman plumber license, plus completion of the 110-hour Tier Five Plumber Educational Program and documented active engagement in installing, repairing, or maintaining plumbing and gas fitting systems. The master classification is the license that authorizes contracting in the master's own name. Source: 248 CMR 11.02 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/248-CMR-11-02).

GAS FITTER CREDENTIAL (separate). Massachusetts issues gas fitter licenses as a distinct credential tier from plumber licenses, although the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters is the common issuing authority. A Journeyman Gas Fitter license is a separate application and exam; qualification pathways include the gas fitting content completed during the five-tier plumber program, or a stand-alone 50 clock hours of gas fitting theory in a master gas fitter educational program for candidates not holding a plumber credential. A Master Gas Fitter license requires not less than one year (minimum 1,700 clock hours) of experience as a Massachusetts journeyman gas fitter. A Massachusetts plumber license does not automatically carry gas fitting authority. Source: 248 CMR 11.02 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/248-CMR-11-02); Apply for a Journeyman Gas Fitter license (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-journeyman-gas-fitter-license); Apply for a Master Gas Fitter license (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-master-gas-fitter-license).

Exam

Administered by PSI Services at test centers in Auburn, Boston, Fall River, Lawrence, and Springfield, Massachusetts, with an additional center in Cranston, Rhode Island. The exam fee paid to PSI is $80. Content is drawn from M.G.L. c.142, 248 CMR (Massachusetts State Plumbing and Gas Fitting Code), and applicable plumbing theory. Candidates apply through the state eLIPSE online portal; PSI issues a testing notification once the Board approves the application. Source: Apply for a Journeyman Plumber license (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-journeyman-plumber-license); Board Candidate Information Bulletin (https://www.mass.gov/doc/board-of-examiners-of-plumbers-gas-fitters-licensure-candidate-exam-application-information/download).

FEES

Application / exam fee to PSI: $80. License issuance fee paid at the test center upon passing: $52. Biennial renewal fee: $52 (per the DPL Plumbers and Gas Fitters fee schedule). Verify current fees with the DPL fee table at https://licensing.reg.state.ma.us/public/dpl_fees/dpl_fees_results.asp?board_code=PL.

Renewal and CE

2-year renewal cycle; licenses expire May 1 of even-numbered years. Mandatory Continuing Education is 12 hours per two-year cycle, delivered in two 6-hour sessions on Board-provided agendas from a Board-approved provider, under 248 CMR 11.04. The MCE session topics are set by the Board each cycle. Source: 248 CMR 11.04 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/248-CMR-11-04); Renew a plumber, gas fitter, or liquified petroleum installer license (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-a-plumber-gas-fitter-or-liquified-petroleum-installer-license).

Reciprocity

Massachusetts does not maintain formal reciprocity agreements with other states for plumber licensure. The Board evaluates out-of-state applicants through a "substantially equivalent" endorsement pathway: the out-of-state license must have been active for not less than the three years immediately preceding the application, supported by a Keeper-of-Records certification that the license is current and in good standing with no pending discipline. Out-of-state masters may seek Massachusetts master licensure; all others are evaluated at the journeyman level. Applicants generally must pass the Massachusetts exam unless a specific agreement is in place. Source: Substantially Equivalent License policy statement (https://www.mass.gov/policy-statement/substantially-equivalent-license).