Application and Licensing

(1) Class M-1 or M-2 (Master Sheet Metal Worker) License. (a) An applicant applying for a Class M (Master) license shall meet the following eligibility criteria for licensure: submission of an application completely and properly filled out in the manner prescribed by the Board, attested to under the pains and penalties of perjury, and accompanied by such other information as the Board may require; NOTE: Incomplete applications will be kept open for 180 days. 2. be of good moral character; 3. be a graduate of high school, possess a graduate equivalency diploma (G.E.D.), or equivalent; 4. meet all criteria for licensure as a Journeyperson (J-1 or J-2) per 271 CMR 3.01(2), furnish documentary proof satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed 2000 hours of sheet metal work with a journeyperson license or a Board-approved 40-hour Master's Course conducted by a college/university, public vocational school, Commonwealth-licensed school, or an organization for its employees or members at no cost, within two years of the date of application for a Class M license; 5. obtain a passing score on the Board's licensure examination; and 6. payment of the non-refundable fee as established by the Secretary of Administration and Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B. NOTE 1: Postmarks or similar shipping dates shall be used to determine the date of an application. NOTE 2: Candidates who fail an examination will have six months, from the application date, to successfully re-take the examination; otherwise they will have to submit a new application. Those who have not successfully passed the examination after three attempts shall furnish documentary proof satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed self-designed learning objectives based on any weaknesses disclosed on their score reports. Such score reports must be submitted with their application request. This requirement may also be met by successfully completing an examination preparation course. NOTE 3: Previous holders of Restricted Journeyperson (J-2) licenses shall be issued Restricted Masters' licenses unless, in the opinion of the Board, the totality of their education and experience justifies an Unrestricted Masters' (M-1) license. (b) Equivalency. Applicants who have experience and/or education that do not fall within the specific provisions of 271 CMR 3.01(1)(a)3. and 4. may submit to the Board a written request that such experience and/or education be considered for approval as the equivalent of the specific experience and education requirements. The written request must contain detailed supporting information regarding training that is sufficient to allow the Board to conclude that the applicant possesses sufficient alternative training to meet the requirements of 271 CMR 3.01(1)(a)3. and 4. In no case shall an experience of less than 12 calendar months be deemed to be acceptable. The Board recognizes that the style and intensity of military training and experience may vary dramatically from that normally required; every effort will be made to accommodate veterans. (MA REG. # 1326, Dated 11-18-16) (c) Credit from an Out-of-state Institution. At the Board's discretion, an applicant may obtain credit for the required 40-hour Master's Course from an out-of-state institution provided that the institution complied with its relevant jurisdictional regulations. Application for such credit shall be considered by the Board upon receipt of a written request for approval, accompanied by documentation supporting equivalency. Specific course syllabi and institutional licensure records may be required. (d) Waiver of Master's Education. An applicant who holds a current, unrestricted Master's license, or equivalent, issued by another jurisdiction may request a waiver of the 40-hour Master's Course. Such request shall be made in writing at the time of application and may be granted in whole or part by the Board upon review. The Board may request additional information regarding qualifications. (e) Waiver of Master's Exam. An applicant who holds a current, unrestricted Master's license, or equivalent, issued by another jurisdiction may request a waiver of the Board's examination. The request shall be made in writing at the time of application and may be granted by the Board upon review. For the Board to approve a waiver the requirements of the prior jurisdiction, in the opinion of the Board, must be substantially equivalent to the Commonwealth's requirements during the same approximate time period and the other jurisdiction must similarly accept Massachusetts' licensees. The Board may request additional information regarding a jurisdiction's requirements. (2) Class J-1 and J-2 (Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker) Licenses. (a) An applicant applying for a Class J-1 (Unrestricted Journeyperson) license shall meet the following eligibility criteria for licensure: submission of an application completely and properly filled out in the manner prescribed by the Board, attested to under the pains and penalties of perjury, and accompanied by such other information that the Board may require; NOTE: Incomplete applications will be retained for 180 days. 2. be of good moral character; be a graduate of high school, possess a graduate equivalency diploma (G.E.D.), or equivalent; furnish documentary proof satisfactory to the Board of having initiated and completed, within the ten years preceding application, experience as a licensed apprentice totaling a minimum of 8000 hours of sheet metal work over a period of no less than five years. All apprentice experience must be under the direct supervision of a holder of a Class J-1 (Journeyperson) or Class M-1 (Master) license. 4. furnish documentaryproof satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed a Board-approved 750-hour Journeyperson's Course conducted by a college/university, public vocational school, Commonwealth-licensed school, or an organization for its employees or members at no cost, within ten years of the date of application for a Class J license; 5. obtain a passing score on the Board's licensure examination. 6. pay the non-refundable fee as established by the Secretary of Administration and Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B. NOTE 1: Postmarks or similar shipping dates shall be used to determine the date of an application. NOTE 2: Candidates who fail an examination will have six months, from the application date to successfully re-take the examination; otherwise they will have to submit a new application. Those who have not successfully passed the examination after three attempts shall furnish documentary proof satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed self-designed learning objectives based on any weakness' disclosed on their score reports. Such score reports must be submitted with their application request. This requirement may also be met by successfully completing an examination preparation course. (b) An applicant applying for a Class J-2 (Restricted Journeyperson) license shall meet the following eligibility criteria for licensure: submission of an application completely and properly filled out in the manner prescribed by the Board, attested to under the pains and penalties of perjury, and accompanied by such other information that the Board may require; NOTE: Incomplete applications will be retained for 180 days; 2. be of good moral character; 3. be a graduate of high school, possess a graduate equivalency diploma (G.E.D.), or equivalent; furnish documentary proof satisfactory to the Board of having initiated and completed, within the ten years preceding application, experience as a licensed apprentice totaling a minimum of 4800 hours of sheet metal work over a period of no less than three years. All apprentice experience must be under the direct supervision of a holder of a Class J-1 or J-2 (Journeyperson) or Class M-1 or M-2 (Master) license. 5. furnish documentaryproof satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed a Board-approved 450-hour Journeyperson's Course conducted by a college/university, public vocational school, Commonwealth-licensed school, or an organization for its employees or members at no cost, within ten years of the date of application for a Class J license; 6. obtain a passing score on the Board's licensure examination. 7. pay the non-refundable fee as established by the Secretary of Administration and Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B. NOTE 1: Postmarks or similar shipping dates shall be used to determine the date of an application. NOTE 2: Candidates who fail an examination will have six months, from the application date to successfully re-take the examination; otherwise they will have to submit a new application. Those who have not successfully passed the examination after three attempts shall furnish documentary proof satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed self-designed learning objectives based on any weaknesses disclosed on their score reports. Such score reports must be submitted with their application request. This requirement may also be met by successfully completing an examination preparation course. (c) Equivalency. Applicants who have experience and/or education that do not fall within the specific provisions of 271 CMR 3.01(2)(a)3. and 4. or (b)3. and 4. may submit to the Board a written request that such experience and/or education be considered for approval as the equivalent of the Board's specific experience and education requirements. The written request must contain detailed supporting information regarding training that is sufficient to allow the Board to conclude that the applicant possesses sufficient alternative training to meet the requirements of 271 CMR 3.01(2)(a)3. and 4 and (b)3. and 4. The Board recognizes that the style and intensity of military training and experience may vary dramatically from that normally required; every effort will be made to accommodate veterans. (d) Credit from an Out-of-state Institution. At the Board's discretion, an applicant may obtain credit for the required Journeyperson's course from an out-of-state institution provided that the institution complied with its relevant jurisdictional regulations. Application for such credit shall be considered by the Board upon receipt of a written request for approval, accompanied by documentation supporting equivalency. Specific course syllabi and institutional licensure records may be required. (e) Waiver of Journeyperson's Education. An applicant who holds a current, unrestricted Journeyperson or Master's license, or equivalent, issued by another jurisdiction may request a waiver of the Journeyperson's Course. The request shall be made in writing at the time of application and may be granted in whole or part by the Board upon review. The Board may request additional information regarding qualifications. (f) Waiver of Journeyperson's Exam. An applicant who holds a current, unrestricted Journeyperson or Master's license, or equivalent, issued by another jurisdiction may request a waiver of the Board's examination. The request shall be made in writing at the time of application and may be granted by the Board upon review. For the Board to approve a waiver the requirements of the prior jurisdiction, in the opinion of the Board, must be substantially equivalent to the Commonwealth's requirements during the same approximate time period and the other jurisdiction must similarly accept Massachusetts' licensees. The Board may request additional information regarding a jurisdiction's requirements. (3) Class A (Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker) License. (a) An applicant applying for a Class A (Apprentice) license shall meet the following eligibility criteria for licensure: submission of an application completely and properly filled out in the manner prescribed by the Board, endorsed by the Master Sheet Metal Worker supervisor, attested to under the pains and penalties of perjury, and accompanied by such other information that the Board may require; NOTE: Incomplete applications will be retained for 180 days; 2. be of good moral character; 3. be at least 16 years of age, and 4. payment of the non-refundable fee as established by the Secretary of Administration and Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B. (b) Equivalency Determination while an Apprentice. Applicants who have experience that does not fall within the specific provisions of 271 CMR 3.01(2)(a) or (b) may submit to the Board a written request that such experience and/or education be considered for eventual approval for Journeyperson licensure as the equivalent of the Board's specific requirements. This shall include participation in programs in vocational or technical high schools. The written request may be submitted at any time prior to or during an apprenticeship. It must contain detailed supporting information regarding training that is sufficient to allow the Board to conclude that the applicant possesses sufficient alternative training to meet the requirements of 271 CMR 3.01(2)(a)3. and 4 and (b)3. and 4. The Board will respond with a written evaluation; that evaluation shall be binding upon the Board at a future time when the Apprentice applies for upgrade to Journeyperson. While the Board will make every effort to be consistent in such evaluations, at the time of Journeyperson application, it shall be the responsibility of the Apprentice to supply a copy of any earlier determination. In no case shall a total apprentice experience of less than 36 calendar months be deemed to be acceptable. The Board recognizes that the style and intensity of military training and experience may vary dramatically from that normally required; every effort will be made to accommodate veterans. (4) Class I (Instructor) License. (a) An applicant applying for a Class I (Instructor) license shall meet the following eligibility criteria for licensure: submission of an application completely and properly filled out in the manner prescribed by the Board, attested to under the pains and penalties of perjury, and accompanied by such other information that the Board may require; NOTE: Incomplete applications will be retained for 180 days; 2. be of good moral character; 3. possess a Massachusetts' Master or Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker's license in good standing; 4. have a minimum history of seven years work, including apprenticeship, within the profession; 5. have a high school diploma, or its equivalent, or a diploma or certificate from a postsecondary trade or technical program; 6. payment of the non-refundable fee as established by the Secretary of Administration and Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B. (b) Equivalency. Applicants who have experience and/or education that do not fall within the specific provisions of 271 CMR 3.01(4)(a)4. and 5. may submit to the Board a written request that such experience and/or education be considered for approval as the equivalent of the Board's specific experience and education requirements. The written request must contain detailed supporting information regarding training that is sufficient to allow the Board to conclude that the applicant possesses sufficient alternative training to meet the requirements of 271 CMR 3.01(4)(a)4. and 5. In no case shall a total work experience of less than 36 calendar months be deemed to be acceptable. The Board recognizes that the style and intensity of military training and experience may vary dramatically from that normally required; every effort will be made to accommodate veterans.