South Dakota to Massachusetts: master plumber license reciprocity
Massachusetts has no reciprocity agreement with South Dakota. Your South Dakota experience counts toward eligibility, but you must pass the Massachusetts exam.
Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.
Master by examination (all states; exam not waived)
Nothing is waived, but your documented out-of-state hours count toward eligibility to sit the exam.
An out-of-state master plumber cannot have the Massachusetts master examination waived. M.G.L. c. 142, § 4 requires the examiners to examine each person desiring to engage in the business of a master plumber, and no Board page lists a written reciprocal agreement. Local permits and bonding still apply after licensure (M.G.L. c. 142, § 3).
No Reciprocity row: unlike electricians (M.G.L. c. 141, § 2B and 237 CMR 15.00, NH only), Chapter 142 has no 'license without examination' statute.
At a glance
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Out-of-state hours
- Count toward eligibility
What you must already have
- Massachusetts journeyman plumber license number is required on the Master Statement of Experience Form (Board master how-to). An out-of-state master should expect to obtain the Massachusetts journeyman license first.
- Fee, eligibility details, and processing steps are not published in a form we can list here. Please see the sources on this page to find out more.
What you'll do to get licensed in Massachusetts
- 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($31). Non-refundable Master Plumber application fee collected by the Board of Examiners (Valor Act reductions may apply); filed through ePLACE.
- 2Background check. Complete a background check. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Acknowledgement Form; second page must be notarized.
- 3Other. 2x2 passport-style photo uploaded with the online application.
- 4Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Massachusetts Master Plumber examination (PSI after Board approval). Statute requires a practical test of plumbing, house drainage, ventilation and gas fitting..
- 5License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($78). Fee, eligibility details, and processing steps are not published in a form we can list here. Please see the sources on this page to find out more..
Published fees on this path total $109, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
What you'll need to buy or arrange
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Trade exam
How Massachusetts licenses master plumbers
Massachusetts master plumber · “Master Plumber”
Statewide license
Massachusetts issues a statewide Master Plumber license through the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. M.G.L. c. 142, § 3 requires a master plumber's license to engage in the business as a master plumber; the master license must be displayed in the place of business, and advertising must show the designation and license number. A licensed master plumber may carry on gas-fitting work throughout the commonwealth, subject to local permits and bonding. Under § 4 the examiners must examine each applicant for a master plumber's license; the statute has no reciprocity or exam-waiver provision.
Common questions
- Do I have to take the Massachusetts master plumber exam if I'm licensed in South Dakota?
- Yes. Massachusetts requires the trade exam on this path.
- What does it cost to get a Massachusetts master plumber license from South Dakota?
- Published fees on this path total $109, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
- Do my South Dakota work hours count in Massachusetts?
- Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Massachusetts's eligibility requirements.
- Does it work the other way, from Massachusetts to South Dakota?
- Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Massachusetts to South Dakota, the mechanism is endorsement.
Sources
- 248 CMR - Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters regulations · 248 CMR · Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026
- Mass.gov - Apply for a Master Plumber license · Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters / Division of Occupational Licensure · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026
- Mass.gov - Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters · Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026
- MGL Chapter 142, Section 3 - Master plumbers or gas fitters, journeymen and apprentices; licensing; advertising; display of license or certificate · M.G.L. c. 142, § 3 · Massachusetts General Court · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
- MGL Chapter 142, Section 4 - Rules of examiners; qualifications of applicants; applications; examinations; issuance of license; probationary license; credit for veterans · M.G.L. c. 142, § 4 · Massachusetts General Court · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
- MGL Chapter 142, Section 5 - Fees for licenses and examinations · M.G.L. c. 142, § 5 · Massachusetts General Court · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
- PSI Exams - Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters exam catalog · PSI Services LLC (for the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters) · Other · verified September 16, 2026
Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.