Massachusetts plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Massachusetts plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure)), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,069 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Massachusetts?
| Who licenses them | Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure) |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Plumber, Master Gas Fitter, Journeyman Gas Fitter |
| When a license is required | License required for all plumbing and gas fitting work, regardless of job size (M.G.L. c. 142, s. 3) |
A state plumbing license is valid statewide, and licensed master or journeyman plumbers may also do gas fitting. Local permit and bonding rules still apply.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Massachusetts?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Massachusetts plumbing license lookup run by Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure).
What plumbing licenses does Massachusetts issue?
- Master Plumber
- Journeyman Plumber
- Apprentice Plumber
- Master Gas Fitter
- Journeyman Gas Fitter
How do you get a plumbing license in Massachusetts?
Licenses are issued by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Massachusetts?
The Census Bureau counted 3,069 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Massachusetts in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Middlesex County | 770 |
|---|---|
| Norfolk County | 358 |
| Essex County | 331 |
| Worcester County | 328 |
| Plymouth County | 318 |
| Bristol County | 278 |
| Barnstable County | 205 |
| Suffolk County | 123 |
What do Massachusetts homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Massachusetts was built in 1963, 37% of households rent and 57% of homes are single-family houses. 52% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity, and 23% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Massachusetts?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Massachusetts licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.