Construction / Plumber License / Massachusetts
- Massachusetts
- Plumber License
- Journeyman & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Massachusetts Plumber License
How to qualify for a journeyman or master plumber license in Massachusetts, pass the two-part exam and keep your license current.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Massachusetts Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters requirements
Application fee
$31
Plus $80 PSI exam fee and $52–$78 license fee
Exam time
160 min
Part I; Part II time not stated
Time to get license
5,100 hrs
Work experience, plus apprentice training
Continuing ed
12 hrs
Before each renewal
Overview
Do you need a Massachusetts plumber license?
Yes. In Massachusetts, plumbing and gas fitting work subject to inspection must be done by a licensed plumber. Journeymen do the work themselves. Masters run a business and can employ journeymen.
License required when
- You do plumbing or gas fitting work that’s subject to inspection
- You run a plumbing business with a regular place of business (master license)
- You employ journeyman plumbers to do plumbing work (master license)
- You bid on or contract for plumbing work
Common exceptions
- Apprentices working toward a license as part of their required training
- Our sources don’t list other exemptions, so check with the Board before doing unlicensed work
Penalties for unlicensed work
The Board can discipline licensees and act against unlicensed plumbing and gas fitting. See MGL Chapter 142 for the specific penalties.
Your fast-track Massachusetts plumber license checklist
The Massachusetts application, one page
- High school diploma
- Apprentice training completed
- 5,100 hours of work experience verified
- CORI background check
- Passing scores on Part I and Part II
- PASS letter uploaded to ePlace
Types
Massachusetts plumber license types and classifications
Massachusetts has two main plumber license levels. You need a journeyman license before you can apply for master.
JRY
Most common
Journeyman Plumber
Personally does plumbing and gas fitting work that’s subject to inspection.
Exam
Part I + Part II
Limit
Does the work
MST
Run a business
Master Plumber
Has a regular place of business and does plumbing and gas fitting work personally or through journeymen they employ.
Exam
Master Part I + II
Limit
Full scope
Requirements
Massachusetts plumber license requirements, class by class
Journeyman applicants need education, apprentice training and work hours. Master applicants build on a journeyman license with extra training.
| Requirement | Journeyman | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Education | High school diploma | Journeyman license |
| Training | Apprentice training (Board-approved) | 110 hrs Tier 5 training |
| Work experience | 5,100 hrs | Statement of Experience form with journeyman license number |
| Exam | Part I & II, 70% to pass | Master Part I & II, 70% to pass |
| Background check | CORI check | Not stated |
| Application fee | $31 | $31 |
Steps
How to get your Massachusetts plumber license, step by step
- Complete training and work hoursBefore you apply
Finish your apprentice training and log 5,100 hours of work experience. You also need a high school diploma. - Submit your applicationBefore the exam
Send your application with verified education and work experience to the Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. - Schedule with PSIAfter approval
Book your exam through PSI or call 855-834-8745. - Pass both partsExam day
Part I is 80 questions in 160 minutes and Part II is a 40-question practical. You need 70% on each. - Pay your license feeAfter passing
Once you pass both parts, pay the license fee ($52 journeyman, $78 master) and your license shows up in your eLIPSE profile. - Keep up with continuing edEach renewal
Complete 12 hours of continuing education before you renew.
Exam
What to expect on the Massachusetts plumber exam
Massachusetts uses a two-part exam: a written code exam and a practical exam. Both are closed book, so you need to know the code by heart.
Format
Closed book, 2 parts
Questions
80 + 40
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Part I: 80 questions, 160 minutes, 70% to pass
- Part I topics: regulations and permits, gas piping and appliances, venting, fixtures, water heaters, water supply, DWV
- Part II practical: 40 questions on isometric analysis, trade calculations, gas piping and gas venting
- Master exam covers the same code topics at a higher level
Retake policy
- Retakes cost $80, the same as the first attempt, and you retake only the part you failed
- You have 12 months from application approval to pass
- Board approval is required before you schedule
Exam references · Closed book
The Massachusetts plumbing exams (Journeyman and Master) are closed book, so you can’t bring references into the exam. Use the books below to study.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Plumbing and Gas Code, 248 CMR (Sections 3.00–7.00, 10.00 Uniform State Plumbing Code and 11.00) | Sections dated 2005–2014 | Study only |
| NFPA 54: National Fuel Gas Code | 2012 | Study only |
| NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code | 2011 | Study only |
| Massachusetts Dig Safe Rules, 220 CMR 99.00 | Not stated | Study only |
| Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 142: Supervision of Plumbing | Not stated | Study only |
Prep
Best Massachusetts plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Massachusetts plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $31 |
| PSI exam fee | Fixed | $80 |
| License fee | Fixed | $52 (journeyman), $78 (master) |
| Apprentice and Tier 5 training | Variable | Varies |
| Code books (248 CMR, NFPA 54, NFPA 58) | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes training, code books and renewal | $163 journeyman; $189 master |
Fees from the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters pages on mass.gov and the PSI candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Massachusetts accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with five states. Check with the Board for exactly what each agreement covers before you apply.
Maine — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact the Board.
New Hampshire — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact the Board.
Vermont — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact the Board.
Washington — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact the Board.
Oregon — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact the Board.
Local
Do Massachusetts cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Your plumbing license is issued by the state, but cities and towns handle permits and inspections.
State handles
- Journeyman and master plumber licenses
- Exam approval and the ePlace licensing portal
- Continuing education and renewals
- The state plumbing and fuel gas codes (248 CMR)
City & county handle
- Plumbing and gas permits
- Inspections by local plumbing inspectors
- Local code enforcement
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Massachusetts
Licensing authority
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
617-701-8727
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues journeyman and master plumber licenses
- Approves applicants for the PSI exams
- Maintains the state plumbing and fuel gas codes
- Sets continuing education for renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Massachusetts plumber license and keep it active
Complete 12 hours of continuing education before each renewal. Renewal costs $52 for a journeyman and $78 for a master, plus a $57 late fee if it arrives after May 1.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
12
Renewal fee
$52 journeyman; $78 master
Late penalty
$57 after May 1
Renewing your license?
See the Massachusetts CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Massachusetts plumber license FAQs
How many hours do I need for a Massachusetts journeyman plumber license?
5,100 hours of work experience, plus apprentice training and a high school diploma. You also pass a CORI background check.
What’s on the Massachusetts plumbing exam?
Two parts. Part I is 80 code questions in 160 minutes, and Part II is a 40-question practical on isometrics, calculations and gas.
What score do I need to pass?
70% on each part of the exam.
Is the Massachusetts plumbing exam open book?
No. The exam is closed book.
How do I become a master plumber in Massachusetts?
Hold a journeyman license, complete 110 hours of Tier 5 training, submit a Statement of Experience form and pass the master exam.
Does Massachusetts have plumbing reciprocity?
Yes, with Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington and Oregon. Check with the Board for the details.
How much continuing education do Massachusetts plumbers need?
12 hours before each renewal.
Sources
Official sources for the Massachusetts plumber license
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, Plumber licensing
- PSI, Massachusetts plumbing exams
- MGL Chapter 142, Supervision of Plumbing
- 248 CMR, Massachusetts Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code
- Mass.gov, Apply for a Journeyman Plumber license
- Mass.gov, Apply for a Master Plumber license
- Mass.gov, Renew a plumber, gas fitter, or liquified petroleum installer license
- PSI, Massachusetts Plumbers & Gas Fitters candidate bulletin (10/3/2025)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.