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Plumber
Total cost: $83
Governing Authority
Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (under Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
9,000
Apprentice Hours
3
License Levels
$83
Total Fees
12 hrs
CE Hours
Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR)
Code Version
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Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$14
Apprentice registration fee
Journeyman License Fee
$52
Application: $31 separate
Master Plumber License Fee
$78
Application: $31 separate
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (under Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure)
Apprenticeship Program
9,000
Total Hours
5 yrs
Duration
550
Classroom Hours
8,450
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
6,800 hours of practical work as a licensed apprentice under direct supervision of a MA licensed master plumber (or MA licensed journeyman employed by a master plumber); plus 300 clock hours of plumbing and gas-fitting theory from board-approved provider over no less than 4 years
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Minimum 1 year (1,700 hours) as licensed journeyman — NOTE: conflicting data across sources (1 year minimum requirement vs 4-year clock from date of MA Journeyman licensure for exam eligibility). Flag for manual verification.
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI
Plumbing Code Version
Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR)
Closed Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 31/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Massachusetts has 39% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Massachusetts is one of the most saturated plumbers markets in the country.
Massachusetts ranks #1 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $14 |
Journeyman License Application: $31 separate | $52 |
Master License Application: $31 separate | $78 |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: application ($31) + license ($52) = $83; Master: application ($31) + license ($78) = $109 | $83 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (licenses eligible for renewal February 1st of every even-numbered year; deadline May 1st of same year)
Renewal Period
12
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Biennial renewal
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Massachusetts with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Massachusetts requires 6,800 hours practical + 300 hours theory for journeyman; exams are CLOSED BOOK (unusual); combined plumber and gas fitter board; CORI check required; limited reciprocity.
Exams are CLOSED BOOK — 2 parts, both closed book (notable since many states are open book)
Journeyman requires 6,800 hours practical + 300 clock hours theory over 4+ years
CONFLICTING master experience data: 1 year minimum requirement vs 4-year clock from MA Journeyman licensure date — flagged for manual verification
Combined plumber and gas fitter licensing board — exams cover both
CE: 12 hours per biennial renewal (journeyman and master)
CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check required — notarized
Apprentice must enroll in education program within 9 months of license issuance
After 6 failed exam attempts, must petition the Board to retake
Valor Act fee reductions for military/spouses/veterans
Online portal: Massachusetts eLIPSE
Uses Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR)
Limited reciprocity — most out-of-state candidates must still take MA exam
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Plumber requirements in Massachusetts verified against Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (under Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06