Licensing, apprentices & renewal: Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber (UPC) Practice Questions

Under Chapter 142, what must a Massachusetts journeyman plumber do with the license on the job?

Section 3 of chapter 142 requires the license of a journeyman or apprentice to be exhibited whenever an inspector of plumbing or gas fitting requires; a master's license is displayed at the place of business.

What must any sign or advertisement of a Massachusetts journeyman plumber contain?

Section 3 of chapter 142 requires any sign, listing or advertisement of a master or journeyman plumber or gas fitter to contain the licensee's designation and license number; 248 CMR 3.06(2)(e) treats leaving them out as deceptive advertising.

A Massachusetts journeyman plumber is asked to pipe a gas range in another town. What does Chapter 142 allow?

Section 3 of chapter 142 lets a licensed master or journeyman plumber carry on gas fitting work throughout the commonwealth, notwithstanding local rules, while remaining subject to local permit and bonding requirements.

How many apprentices may work under the direct supervision of one journeyman plumber in Massachusetts?

Section 3A of chapter 142 allows a master to employ more than one apprentice, but not more than one apprentice may work under the direct supervision of any one master or journeyman.

Under Chapter 142, who may employ an apprentice plumber?

Section 3A of chapter 142 says a person may be employed as an apprentice plumber by a master plumber only; the apprentice then works under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman.

How many hours of supervised work experience must a licensed apprentice show to sit for the Massachusetts journeyman plumber exam?

248 CMR 11.02(1)(a) requires at least 6,800 clock hours as a licensed apprentice employee under a Massachusetts master (or a journeyman employed by a master), plus a high school diploma and 550 hours of theory.

How must the 550 hours of plumbing and gas fitting theory for the journeyman exam be spread out?

248 CMR 11.02(1)(a)2.b. requires the 550 hours to take place over no less than four years, with no more than 165 hours credited in any calendar year; the program must start within nine months of the apprentice license.

How often are Massachusetts plumbing licenses renewed?

Section 6 of chapter 142 issues licenses for two years, renewable every two years, and 248 CMR 3.03(6)(a) repeats that licensees renew every two years.

A Massachusetts journeyman plumber moves. Within how many days must the Board be told?

248 CMR 3.03(6)(e) requires licensees to notify the Board of a change of address, and of a changed email address, within 15 days.

The Board sends a licensee a written request about a complaint. How long does the licensee have to respond?

248 CMR 3.06(3)(a) requires a licensee to respond within ten days to a written communication from the Board, counted from the date the Board sends it to the last known address; the Board may extend it for good cause.

A master pays an apprentice for plumbing work on IRS Form 1099. How does the Board treat that?

248 CMR 3.03(2)(a)6. bars apprentices from acting as independent contractors (no hour credit for such time) and treats 1099 payments as sufficient evidence of that; masters doing so may be disciplined for aiding unlicensed practice.

Under Chapter 142, what is the maximum fine for working as a journeyman plumber without a license?

Section 16 of chapter 142 sets a fine of not more than $100 for working without a required license, for a master employing unlicensed workers, and for other violations of sections 1 to 15.