New Journeyman License Requirements
Effective November 9, 2026, new licensing requirements take effect for Journeyman Pipefitters and Refrigeration Technicians.
Under the new standardized licensure pathway, all applicants for journeyman pipefitter and journeyman refrigeration technician licenses will be required to complete:
- a 450-hour course of study approved by the Bureau; and
- Work experience work experience totaling a minimum of 6,000 clock hours as a validly licensed apprentice.
These requirements are in addition to all other applicable licensing requirements.
The Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, and Sprinkler Fitters adopted this standardized licensure pathway on November 8, 2024, after public meetings and the formal regulation promulgation process.
The new regulations can be found here: 528 CMR 11.
The new regulations also provide for a hardship waiver allowing applicants to apply for licensure under a pre-November 9 pathway. The Bureau has adopted a hardship waiver policy that can be found on the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, and Sprinkler Fitters Hardship Waiver Delegation Policy page.
For any questions regarding the new standardized licensure pathway, please contact Bureau staff at OPSI-info@mass.gov.