Current Massachusetts format: Part I is 80 questions in 160 minutes. Part II is 40 questions in 160 minutes. Each part requires 70% to pass, and PSI currently identifies the plumbing exams as closed book.
What Is the Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam?
The Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber examination is a two-part state licensing test administered by PSI for the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Candidates must pass both the written Part I and practical Part II examinations before licensure.
Part I tests Massachusetts plumbing and gas-fitting knowledge across 248 CMR, gas piping, venting, DWV, water supply, fixtures, water heaters, regulations and other trade topics. Part II is heavily practical, with half of the exam devoted to isometric analysis.
Exam answer: Part I has 80 questions and Part II has 40 questions. Each part allows 160 minutes and requires a 70% passing score.
Closed-book rule: PSI states that the listed references are used to develop examination questions but are not allowed in the examination center.
This matters because older commercial prep pages still show smaller question counts and shorter time limits. A current Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber exam prep page should follow the active PSI bulletin instead of repeating outdated formats.
This page uses 8 authority resources for verification and licensing context: PSI, the Massachusetts Board, 248 CMR 10, 248 CMR 11, MGL Chapter 142, Massachusetts plumbing business licensing, OSHA construction safety and Dig Safe.
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Domains
Use the current PSI content outline to divide your Massachusetts plumbing license prep between Part I written topics and Part II practical topics.
| Exam Area | What to Study | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Part I: Gas Piping, Equipment and Appliances | Design, materials, testing, purging, underground installation, CSST, regulators, combustion air, equipment, adjustments and large gas utilization equipment | 21 |
| Part I: Drain, Waste and Vent | Materials, storm drain, sanitary drainage, indirect waste, special waste and venting | 13 |
| Part I: Venting | Positive and non-positive venting, natural draft, chimneys, sizing and approved materials | 12 |
| Part I: General Regulations, Inspections and Permits | MGL Chapter 142, 248 CMR administration, permits, inspections, safety and excavation | 9 |
| Part I: Water Supply | Materials, backflow prevention, water temperatures and distribution concepts | 6 |
| Part I: Separators, Interceptors and Grease Traps | Grease interceptors, holding tanks, gasoline, oil and sand separators | 5 |
| Part I: Water Heaters | MGL Chapter 142, hot water tanks, heaters and related requirements | 3 |
| Part I: Piping, Valves and Controls | Piping materials, valves, controls and installation requirements | 3 |
| Part I: Traps and Cleanouts | Trap rules, seals, cleanouts and access requirements | 2 |
| Part I: Fixtures, Equipment and Clearances | Fixture requirements, equipment and installation clearances | 2 |
| Part I: Hangers and Supports | Support, spacing, protection and installation requirements | 2 |
| Part I: Joints and Connections | Approved joining methods, connections and material-specific requirements | 2 |
| Part II: Isometric Analysis | DWV diagrams, fixture connections, developed length, venting relationships, piping layouts and isometric interpretation | 20 |
| Part II: Gas Venting | Venting systems, sizing, materials, draft and appliance venting | 8 |
| Part II: Gas Piping | Gas sizing, system layout, materials, pressure and installation | 7 |
| Part II: General Trade Calculations | Plumbing math, measurements, sizing, developed length and trade calculations | 5 |
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Breakdown
Part I Written80 questions | 160 minutes | 70% to pass
Part II Practical40 questions | 160 minutes | 70% to pass
Testing ProviderPSI Services LLC
Licensing AuthorityMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
Exam FormatTwo-part closed-book examination
Largest Part I TopicGas Piping, Equipment and Appliances | 21 questions
Largest Part II TopicIsometric Analysis | 20 questions
Experience RequirementAt least 6,800 qualifying apprentice clock hours
Education Requirement550 clock hours of plumbing and gas fitting theory over at least 4 years
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Licensing and Contractor Career Path
Massachusetts requires candidates to complete a defined apprentice experience and education path before admission to the Journeyman Plumber exam. The Journeyman credential is an important professional license, while plumbing business licensing is a separate Massachusetts process.
Practical experience: at least 6,800 clock hours of qualifying plumbing work as a licensed apprentice under the required Massachusetts supervision.
Education: 550 clock hours of plumbing and gas fitting theory completed over at least four years, plus a high school diploma or equivalent.
Application documents: Massachusetts currently requires an Education Verification Form, supervising Master Plumber Statement of Experience, 2x2 passport-style photo and notarized CORI acknowledgement.
Business path: candidates whose long-term goal is to operate a plumbing business should separately review Massachusetts Master Plumber and plumbing business licensing requirements.
What Is on the Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam?
Part I bars are scaled against the 21-question gas category. Part II bars are scaled against the 20-question isometric category.
Part I: Gas Piping, Equipment and Appliances21 questions
Part I: Drain, Waste and Vent13 questions
Part I: Venting12 questions
Part I: General Regulations, Inspections and Permits9 questions
Part I: Water Supply6 questions
Part I: Separators, Interceptors and Grease Traps5 questions
Part II: Isometric Analysis20 questions
Part II: Gas Venting8 questions
Part II: Gas Piping7 questions
Part II: General Trade Calculations5 questions
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Study References
PSI uses these materials to develop exam questions. The plumbing examinations are closed book, so the references are for study rather than test-room use.
| Reference | Primary Use | Current PSI Listing |
|---|---|---|
| 248 CMR Sections 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 | Massachusetts definitions, administration, standards and plumbing/gas-fitting requirements | 2021 listings |
| 248 CMR Gas-Fitting Sections | Massachusetts gas amendments and large gas utilization equipment | PSI-listed Massachusetts gas references |
| 248 CMR 11.00 | Education, experience and licensing standards | 2021 listing |
| 248 CMR 10.00 through 10.23 | Massachusetts Uniform State Plumbing Code, including water supply, drainage, venting, fixtures, traps and materials | 2023 |
| Massachusetts General Laws and MGL Chapter 142 | Supervision, legal responsibilities and plumbing/gas-fitting conduct | Current statutory reference |
| NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code | Gas piping, appliances, combustion air and venting | 2012 |
| NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code | LP gas systems and related requirements | 2011 |
Your Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Licensing Roadmap
Complete the required apprentice experience and education, apply online, prepare for both closed-book PSI parts, pass each part and complete the Massachusetts licensing process.
1
Complete qualifying apprentice experience
Document at least 6,800 clock hours of qualifying plumbing experience under the supervision required by 248 CMR 11.
2
Complete required plumbing and gas-fitting education
Finish 550 clock hours of approved plumbing and gas-fitting theory over at least four years.
3
Submit the Massachusetts application
Upload the required education, experience, photo and CORI documentation through the state's current online licensing process.
4
Study Part I by official weight
Prioritize gas piping, venting, DWV, regulations, water supply and the remaining written categories.
5
Train for Part II isometrics and calculations
Spend major practice time on isometric analysis, then gas venting, gas piping and general trade calculations.
6
Take both closed-book PSI exam parts
Complete each part within 160 minutes and earn at least 70 percent on both.
7
Complete licensure and plan your contractor path
After passing, complete the licensing steps and review Master Plumber and plumbing business requirements if business ownership is your long-term goal.
Six-Week Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Plan
Week 1
248 CMR and Regulations
- Review the PSI blueprint
- Study 248 CMR structure
- Review MGL Chapter 142
- Take a closed-book diagnostic
Week 2
Gas Piping and Appliances
- Gas sizing and materials
- Testing and purging
- CSST and regulators
- Combustion air and appliances
Week 3
Venting and DWV
- Gas venting
- Chimneys and sizing
- Sanitary drainage
- Indirect, special and storm waste
Week 4
Water and Remaining Part I Topics
- Water supply
- Backflow prevention
- Water heaters
- Traps, fixtures, supports and joints
Week 5
Part II Practical
- Isometric analysis
- Gas piping diagrams
- Gas venting scenarios
- General trade calculations
Week 6
Closed-Book Simulation
- 80-question Part I simulations
- 40-question Part II simulations
- 160-minute pacing
- Final weak-area review
Massachusetts Closed-Book Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Strategy
Do this during exam prep
- Use 248 CMR and PSI-listed references while learning
- Memorize high-frequency Massachusetts rules and relationships
- Practice gas sizing, venting and DWV without books
- Work isometric questions repeatedly
- Practice calculations under time limits
- Complete full 160-minute simulations for each part
Avoid these mistakes
- Preparing as if the exam is open book
- Using outdated 60-question and 30-question exam counts
- Ignoring isometric analysis
- Skipping Massachusetts-specific 248 CMR
- Depending only on national plumbing-code study material
- Practicing without a clock
Closed-book strategy: use the books during learning, then slowly remove them from practice. Part I gives you an average of about 2 minutes per question. Part II gives you an average of about 4 minutes per question, but isometric and calculation problems can consume that time quickly.
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Options
Massachusetts Contractor License Exam Prep Guide
Massachusetts-Specific License Prep
- Massachusetts plumbing license path
- Journeyman Plumber exam topics
- State contractor career guidance
- Massachusetts trade-license resources
- State-specific exam-prep direction
Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Online Course
Supplemental Plumbing Exam Prep
- 750 practice questions
- 8 hours of instructional video
- Plumber math review
- Isometric analysis
- Simulated computer-based exams
Journeyman Plumber Exam Study Guide
Practice-Focused Plumbing Prep
- 990 practice questions with answer keys
- Plumber math review
- Isometrics analysis
- OSHA review
- State-by-state licensing guidance
Massachusetts-specific reminder: general Journeyman Plumber materials can help with calculations, isometrics, drainage, venting and trade concepts, but they do not replace studying Massachusetts 248 CMR, MGL Chapter 142 and the current PSI content outline.
Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor Are Different Career Steps
The Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber license is a major professional credential, but operating a plumbing business involves separate Massachusetts licensing requirements. Candidates planning a contractor career should treat Journeyman licensure as one stage in a longer path.
· Part I: 80 questions
· Part II: 40 questions
· 160 minutes per part
· 70% required on each part
· Closed-book PSI examinations
· 6,800 experience hours + 550 theory hours for standard eligibility
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep FAQ
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Basics
The current PSI bulletin lists 80 questions for Part I, the written examination.
The current PSI bulletin lists 40 questions for Part II, the practical examination.
PSI currently allows 160 minutes for Part I and 160 minutes for Part II.
A minimum score of 70 percent is required on each independent exam part.
No. PSI currently identifies the plumbing examinations as closed book. The listed references are used to develop exam questions but are not allowed in the testing center.
No. PSI states that candidates who fail one part are required to retake only the part they failed, although both parts must ultimately be passed for licensure.
The current PSI bulletin states that passing scores are valid for one year only.
Gas Piping, Equipment, and Appliances is the largest Part I category with 21 questions.
Isometric Analysis is the largest Part II category with 20 questions, which is half of the 40-question practical exam.
The current PSI content outline lists 12 venting questions on Part I.
Massachusetts Licensing, 248 CMR and Contractor Prep
248 CMR 11 currently requires at least 6,800 clock hours of qualifying practical experience as a licensed apprentice under the required Massachusetts supervision.
The current rule requires 550 clock hours of plumbing and gas fitting theory, completed over at least four years, along with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Massachusetts currently requires an Education Verification Form, a Statement of Experience signed by the supervising Master Plumber, a 2x2 passport-style photo, and a notarized CORI acknowledgement as part of the online application.
The current PSI reference list includes 248 CMR 10.00 through 10.23, Massachusetts Uniform State Plumbing Code 2023, along with other Massachusetts plumbing and gas regulations, NFPA 54, NFPA 58, and MGL Chapter 142.
No. The current PSI bulletin says the listed plumbing and gas fitting references are not allowed in the examination center.
Start with Gas Piping, Equipment, and Appliances, then Venting, Drain, Waste and Vent, General Regulations, Water Supply, and the remaining Part I categories.
Begin with isometric analysis because it accounts for 20 of 40 questions, then focus on gas venting, gas piping, and general trade calculations.
No. A general plumbing course or study guide can support math, isometrics, drainage, venting, and trade review, but Massachusetts candidates still need state-specific study of 248 CMR, MGL Chapter 142, and the current PSI blueprint.
1 Exam Prep Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep Video
Explore Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Resources
Massachusetts Contractor License Exam Prep
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Collection
Journeyman Plumber Online Exam Prep Course
Journeyman Plumber Exam Study Guide
Current PSI Massachusetts Plumbing Bulletin
Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Application
248 CMR 10 Uniform State Plumbing Code
248 CMR 11 Education and Experience Requirements
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 142
Massachusetts Plumbing Business License
OSHA Construction Safety Standards
Dig Safe Excavation Safety
Ready to Prepare for the Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Exam?
Build gas-piping knowledge, venting confidence, DWV understanding, Massachusetts 248 CMR recall, isometric-analysis skill, plumbing-math accuracy and closed-book testing endurance for both PSI exam parts.
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