Massachusetts Plumber Licensing FAQs

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Massachusetts?

Anyone who will install, remove, maintain, or extend/alter plumbing systems for piped fixtures, fixed appliances and accessories must be licensed as a plumber.

Additionally, all corporations, LLC's, partnerships, or other such entities that have plumbing or gas-fitting employees are required to maintain a business license with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Individuals practicing under their own name or a DBA do not require a business license.

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Massachusetts?

• Apprentice Plumber
• Journeyman Plumber
• Master Plumber

What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in Massachusetts?

Journeyman

• Exam: $80
• Application/License: $52
• Renewal: $52

Master

• Exam: $80
• Application: $78
• Renewal: $78

When do I need to renew my Massachusetts plumbing license?

Plumbing licenses expire on May 1st every even-numbered year.

How do I renew my plumbing license in Massachusetts?

1. Make sure you've completed your required continuing education
2. Go online to complete a renewal application

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Massachusetts?

Yes, Journeymen and Master plumbers must complete 12 hours* of approved continuing education by May 1st of every even-numbered year.

1. Meet the minimum state experience requirements:
   1. Have a high school diploma or equivalent
   2. Have worked at least 5,100 hours as a licensed apprentice
   3. Have completed 330 hours of apprenticeship gasfitting educational theory
2. Complete and submit a license application along with applicable fees
3. Wait for approval for the exam
4. Take and pass your exam
5. After you pass, the board will approve your license

• Exam: $80
• Application/License: $52
• Renewal: $52

The journeyman plumber exam consists of 2 parts, both are closed book.

Part I: Written Exam

80 question exam with 160 minute time limit. 70% is required to pass.

• 9 questions: General regulations, inspections and permits
• 21 questions: Gas piping, equipment and appliances
• 12 questions: Venting
• 2 questions: Traps and cleanouts
• 2 questions: Fixtures, equipment and clearances
• 3 questions: Water heaters
• 3 questions: Piping, valves and controls
• 6 questions: Water supply
• 2 questions: Hangers and supports
• 13 questions: Drain, waste and vent
• 5 questions: Separators, interceptors and grease traps
• 2 questions: Joints and connections

Part II: Practical Exam

40 question exam with 160 minute time limit. 70% is required to pass.

• 20 questions: Isometric analysis
• 5 questions: General trade calculations
• 7 questions: Gas piping
• 8 questions: Gas venting

• Auburn
• Boston
• Fall River
• Lawrence
• Springfield

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

Candidates that fail an examination will have 12 months from the application approval date to successfully retake the examination; otherwise candidates will need to submit a new application to the Board.

Candidates that have not successfully passed the exam after six attempts must petition the Board in writing prior to being approved for additional exam attempts.

1. Meet the minimum state experience requirements:
   1. Have worked at least 1,700 hours as a licensed journeyman
   2. Have completed the 110 hour Tier Five of the Plumber Educational Program*
2. Complete and submit a license application along with applicable fees
3. Wait for approval for the exam
4. Take and pass your exam
5. After you pass, the board will approve your license

*Individuals who completed this education as an apprentice do not need to complete any additional education

• Exam: $80
• Application: $78
• Renewal: $78

The master plumber exam consists of 2 parts, both are closed book.

Part I: Written Exam

80 question exam with 160 minute time limit. 70% is required to pass.

• 9 questions: General regulations, inspections and permits
• 21 questions: Gas piping, equipment and appliances
• 12 questions: Venting
• 2 questions: Traps and cleanouts
• 2 questions: Fixtures, equipment and clearances
• 3 questions: Water heaters
• 3 questions: Piping, valves and controls
• 6 questions: Water supply
• 2 questions: Hangers and supports
• 13 questions: Drain, waste and vent
• 5 questions: Separators, interceptors and grease traps
• 2 questions: Joints and connections

Part II: Practical Exam

40 question exam with 160 minute time limit. 70% is required to pass.

• 20 questions: Isometric analysis
• 5 questions: General trade calculations
• 7 questions: Gas piping
• 8 questions: Gas venting

• Auburn
• Boston
• Fall River
• Lawrence
• Springfield

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

There are no limitations on the number of times a Master Plumber candidate may take the exam.

Plumbers must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education by May 1st of every even-numbered year.

Our courses are not currently approved for plumbing continuing education credit in Massachusetts at this time.

Things in the plumbing industry change often. As a professional in your trade it is important to keep your knowledge base up to date so you can make practical decisions for your business. Professional development courses are designed to help you improve your industry knowledge. Whether you are looking for information on new avenues to pursue in your business, wanting to brush up on best practices, or are just interested in learning about a particular topic: professional development is for you!

Professional development is different from continuing education. Continuing education courses are mandatory courses that your licensing body wants you to take in order to maintain your license.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.