- Master: at least one year as a journeyman plus 100 hours of advanced plumbing theory. Journeyman: three years as an apprentice plus 300 hours of theory at an approved school.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Licenses renew in even numbered years, opening February 1 with a May 1 deadline. Master and journeyman plumbers need 12 hours of approved continuing education.
Do you need a state license in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts licenses plumbing work at the state level through the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
The local plumbing inspector must issue a permit before plumbing is installed, altered, replaced or repaired, and permits are issued only to licensed plumbers.
Massachusetts license types for plumbing work
Massachusetts splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Master Plumber | Run a plumbing business as an individual, firm or corporation and employ journeymen and apprentices |
| Journeyman Plumber | Do plumbing work as an individual |
| Apprentice Plumber | Registered learner working under direct supervision of a master or journeyman |
| Plumbing business license | Corporations and LLCs that list a master plumber of record as an officer or manager |
Steps to get licensed in Massachusetts
- Register as an apprentice plumber and work under a master or journeyman.
- Complete 300 hours of theory and three years as an apprentice, then pass the journeyman exam.
- Work at least one year as a journeyman and complete 100 hours of advanced plumbing theory.
- Apply online in eLIPSE for the master exam with the $31 fee, then schedule and pass the exam with PSI.
- Pay the $78 license fee, and if you operate as a corporation or LLC, apply for a plumbing business license.
- Renew in even numbered years by May 1 after 12 hours of continuing education.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: at least one year as a journeyman plus 100 hours of advanced plumbing theory. Journeyman: three years as an apprentice plus 300 hours of theory at an approved school.
The license to apply for. Master Plumber license.
Massachusetts plumbing exams
Trade exam. Yes. The master plumber exam, scheduled through PSI after the board approves your application. Scores are available right away.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Massachusetts
The board lists 5 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Master plumber application | $31 |
| Master plumber license | $78 |
| Master plumber renewal | $78 |
| Plumbing business license | $225 |
| Late renewal fee (after May 1) | $57 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. When applying for a permit, the plumber must sign that they carry liability insurance, or present a waiver of insurance signed by the homeowner.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Licenses renew in even numbered years, opening February 1 with a May 1 deadline. Master and journeyman plumbers need 12 hours of approved continuing education.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Massachusetts
- No permit is needed for minor repairs such as fixing a leaky faucet or clearing a blocked drain.
- A plumber's license type and number must appear on any sign, listing or ad.
- A licensed plumber may also do gas fitting work, but a gas fitter may not do plumbing.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a plumber near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how plumbing companies run on Koira.