271 CMR 8.01
Class S (School License)
(1) Requirement. No person or entity shall operate a Sheet Metal Worker training program
without a license issued by the Board.
(2) Applications. Applicants for a Class S (School) license shall meet the following eligibility
criteria for licensure:
(a) 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.
(b) the principal owners and administrators of the school shall be of good moral character;
(c) for any premises used for educational purposes, submission of a floor plan and a
certificate of occupancy or similar form issued by the appropriate municipality;
(d) submission of a detailed outline of the school curriculum;
(e) submission of the non-refundable fee established by the Secretary of Administration and
Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B, and
NOTE: publicly-funded schools will be exempted from licensure fees, but must comply
with other aspects of the application process.
(f) (for private schools that charge tuition) submission of:
1. a copy of the intended student contract with an itemization of the tuition, fees, and
equipment costs, and
2. a bond in the amount determined by the Board.
NOTE: If the school is also licensed as a Proprietary School, the Board may waive
the requirement for an additional bond.
(3) Premises. Schools shall have adequate space and facilities to accommodate the projected
enrollment, including:
(a) a demonstration/work area large enough to allow safe passage for staff and students;
(b) a lecture room with a minimum of individual desks or student arm chairs, or tables
adequate to allow seating for no more than three students at a table;
(c) male and female rest rooms in accordance with the Commonwealth's plumbing code;
(d) a fire detection and sprinkler system, and operable hand fire extinguishers;
(e) every school shall have, and shall maintain in good working condition, equipment and
materials appropriate and sufficient for its student body. The following shall be the minimum
equipment required at all times at a licensed school:
1. a library, or designated study area, that maintains published or electronic reference
to publications such as: 271 CMR and M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 237 through 251, the
Massachusetts Building Code (780 CMR) and its component parts the Massachusetts
Basic Building Code and the Massachusetts One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code; the
International Mechanical Code; the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National
Association's standards, the rules and standards of the Federal Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, the Massachusetts Fire Code (527 CMR), and applicable National
Fire Protection Association codes and standards.
(4) Instructor Ratio. Every school shall regularly employ or have in attendance during school
hours at least one approved instructor for 25 students or less, and shall employ or have in
attendance one instructor for each additional 25 students or less. No instructor may supervise or
teach more than one class at the same time.
(5) Licenses. Instructors in schools shall be licensed instructors competent to impart instruction
in those branches of instruction which they teach.
(MA REG. # 1326, Dated 11-18-16)
271 CMR: BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF SHEET METAL WORKERS
8.01: continued
(6) Non-transferrable. A school license is valid only for the location(s) named in the license
and is not transferable. School licensees must immediately notify the Board in writing of the sale
or change in ownership of management of a school. A school licensee seeking to change the
location of the school shall notify the Board in writing at least 30 days before such change. Upon
approval of a new location by the Board, the Board shall cancel the license for the previous
location and re-issue a license to the licensee bearing the same number as the license for the
previous location and indicating the new location. Each school shall display its license in a
conspicuous place near its administrative area.
NOTE: With the permission of the Board, a licensed school may operate in multiple
locations provided that each location meets the requirements of 271 CMR 8.01(3).
(7) Conduct of Operations.
(a) Each school shall keep a daily record of the attendance of each student and a
course-by-course record of studies undertaken.
Records should clearly indicate
successful/unsuccessful performance. Such records must be available for inspection by the
Board or its agents.
(b) All classroom activities for those training to be Journeypersons shall be supervised by
a Sheet Metal Instructor licensed by the Board.
(c) All classroom activities for those in training to be Journeypersons shall be reviewed and
approved by a Sheet Metal Instructor licensed by the Board.
(8) Remedial, Refresher, Completion, and Continuing Education Training.
(a) Any school duly licensed by the Board may offer courses that are not part of a standard
curriculum.
(b) Remedial and refresher training means any and all instruction in any areas of sheet metal
work offered to persons who have completed an academic program approved by the Board,
but who have not been licensed by the Board. Such training programs may be individually
designed based upon students' needs or may be a standardized "Exam Prep" course. Whether
offered for a fee or at no cost, all such programs offered to students located in the
Commonwealth shall be licensed by the Board. This shall include correspondence, internet,
television, and similar media.
(c) Any school desiring to offer advanced training courses shall submit the following
information to the Board at least one month prior to the offering of any such course: the title
of the course; the objective of the course; the number of course hours; the name, license
number, educational background and experience of the instructors, and a detailed curriculum
of the course. Advanced training may not be used for credit towards any continuing
education requirements or for license upgrading purposes unless explicitly approved by the
Board