Plumber / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Plumbers

To practice as a plumber in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires 6,541 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $201 to get started, plus $170 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 1-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
16/100
Plumber · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
6,541 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$201
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$170/yr
$170 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
6,541 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$201
Renewal Fee
$170
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts's requirements cover 6541 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $201. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Massachusetts? ▼
Certification as a plumber in Massachusetts means clearing the state's checklist: 6541 hours of education plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for plumbers nationally works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Massachusetts. Verify the specifics with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for plumber licensing in Massachusetts. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Massachusetts? ▼
To stay licensed as a plumber in Massachusetts, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $170.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in Massachusetts, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Massachusetts's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Massachusetts's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Massachusetts overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.