Licensing Topic Areas
The Department of Fire Services issues licenses, permits and certificates for:
- Aboveground Storage Tanks
- Blasting and explosives
- Boilers and pressure vessels (Oil burner technicians, BPV inspectors, steam firemen and engineers.)
- Cannons and mortars
- Commercial hood cleaning and inspections (hood cleaning)
- Crowd managers
- Fireworks and special effects
- Fire suppression (fire extinguishers)
- Marine fueling
- Self-service gas stations
Licensing Exam Guidelines
Review these licensing guidelines before you submit an application or take an exam. The guidelines answer questions about:
- License applications
- Fees
- Test preparation
- Cheating
- Re-taking exams
- Testing responsibilities
License Exam Schedules
Exams |
Exam Dates |
Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
Fire Suppression and
|
January 18, 2023 March 15, 2023 May 17, 2023 July 12, 2023 September 13, 2023 November 15, 2023 |
December 23, 2022 February 17, 2023 April 21, 2023 June 16, 2023 August 18, 2023 October 20, 2023 |
Exams |
Exam Dates |
Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
Cannon/Mortar, Fireworks,
|
February 15, 2023 April 19, 2023 June 14, 2023 August 16, 2023 October 18, 2023 |
January 20, 2023 March 24, 2023 May 19, 2023 July 21, 2023 September 22, 2023 |
Licensing Exam Study Materials
DFS provides study materials for licensing exams. Download and study the materials for any exam you plan to take.
Additional Resources for
Licensing Exam Information
- You must be pre-registered for all license exams.
- We must receive your complete current application by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date listed above. If we get your application after the deadline, you cannot take the exam.
- No photocopies of applications will be accepted.
- You can take exams at: 1 State Road in Stow (park in the remote lot at the top of the hill); and 100 Grochmal Avenue in Springfield. Directions are available at www.mass.gov/dfs.
- Questions? Contact the Licensing Desk at 978-567-3700 or by email at dfs.licensing@state.ma.us.
- For questions on Boiler and Pressure Vessel licenses, contact: (978) 567-3780.
Penalties for Working After a License is Suspended or Revoked
Amendments to 527 CMR 1.00, effective May 15, 2020. On May 15, 2020, penalties took effect for performing work that requires a license after it has been suspended or revoked, and for unlicensed individuals who falsely represent themselves as licensed to perform work regulated by the State Fire Code. Additional changes hold companies responsible for knowingly allowing their employees to falsely represent themselves as valid license holders.