Plumber License Requirements in Massachusetts
| Licensing Authority | Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (BSEPGF) |
| License Type | Journeyman / Master Plumber |
| Experience Required | Journeyman: completion of a registered plumbing apprenticeship (education plus supervised work hours verified by a licensed Master Plumber; exact hour totals are set by 248 CMR curriculum tiers). Master: hold a Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber license. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Journeyman Plumber Exam + Master Plumber Exam |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: not required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 12 hours 2 years |
| Processing Time | License issued at the test center on passing; renewals processed online via eLIPSE |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $31 |
| Initial License Fee | $52 |
| Est. Initial Total | $83 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Master Plumber license fee | $78 |
| Master Plumber renewal | $78 |
| Corporation/Partnership renewal | $225 |
| Late renewal (received after May 1) | $57 |
Renewal: $52 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
Journeyman Plumber Exam
Master Plumber Exam
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Massachusetts. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
Journeyman Plumber
Completion of a registered plumbing apprenticeship (education plus supervised work hours per 248 CMR)
Exam: Required
Master Plumber
Hold a Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber license
Exam: Required
Notes
- No formal plumbing reciprocity: out-of-state applicants may receive education/experience credit if their prior license is deemed 'substantially equivalent,' but must still pass the Massachusetts exam.
- Applications must be submitted online via the eLIPSE portal.
- Gas fitting is a separate license from the same board (Journeyman Gas Fitter license fee $52; Master Gas Fitter $97).
You're licensed in Massachusetts as a plumber — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
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Form the business and get an EIN.
The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters issues the Journeyman / Master Plumber; the business that invoices Massachusetts customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Massachusetts does not require a surety bond for this license.
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck plumber businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years at $52. Continuing education: 12 hours every 2 years.
Other licenses in Massachusetts
- General Contractor license in Massachusetts
Statewide license required · $238 in initial government fees · BBRS
- Electrician license in Massachusetts
Statewide license required · $226 in initial government fees · BSEE
- HVAC Technician license in Massachusetts
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Roofing Contractor license in Massachusetts
Statewide registration, not a license · OCABR
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in Massachusetts?
Yes, Massachusetts requires a statewide plumber license through the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
How much does a plumber license cost in Massachusetts?
The estimated initial cost is $83, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a plumber license in Massachusetts?
Journeyman: completion of a registered plumbing apprenticeship (education plus supervised work hours verified by a licensed Master Plumber; exact hour totals are set by 248 CMR curriculum tiers). Master: hold a Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber license.
What exams are required for a plumber license in Massachusetts?
You must pass the Journeyman Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam exams. Exams are administered by PSI.
How long does it take to get a plumber license in Massachusetts?
Processing time is typically License issued at the test center on passing; renewals processed online via eLIPSE after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in Massachusetts?
Yes, 12 hours per 2 years is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in Massachusetts— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-07-05 | Source: BSEPGF