| Date: | 07/01/2026 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Division of Apprentice Standards |
| Referenced Sources: | M.G.L. c. 23, § 11W |
- This page, Eligible Veteran Apprentice ID Card Fee Waiver (DAS Issuance 31-07022026), is offered by
- Division of Apprentice Standards
Memorandum
Memorandum Eligible Veteran Apprentice ID Card Fee Waiver (DAS Issuance 31-07022026)
Contact
Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS)
Phone
Table of Contents
Purpose
To notify apprentice sponsors and employers that the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) is expanding the apprentice identification card fee waiver for eligible veterans.
Prior Policy
Since Section 11W was updated in 2014, DAS has waived the initial apprentice identification card fee for eligible veterans participating in a registered apprenticeship program. This waiver only applied to initial fees, not renewal fees.
New Policy
Beginning July 1, 2026, DAS will waive both the initial and renewal fees for apprentice identification cards for eligible veterans.
The enabling statute for the Division of Apprentice Standards waives the apprentice identification card fee for any veteran “receiving education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs under Title 38 of the United States Code.” M.G.L. c. 23, § 11W. This language was added to the statute in 2014. That same year the VALOR II Act was passed, which waived initial application fees for members of the armed forces in licensed occupations under Chapter 112 of the Mass. General Laws.
Although Section 11W was updated in the same year as the VALOR II Act, the DAS bill came later in the year and did not include the “initial fees [only]” language. Based on this timeline and the legislative intent evident in the omission of the “initial fees” language from G.L. c.23, § 11W, DAS is waiving apprentice identification card fees for all eligible veterans, including initial fees and renewal fees.
This change will be effective immediately.