Members who employ pipefitters and refrigeration technicians should be aware that changes have been made to the regulations for licensure that will add additional education hours to the licensure requirement for these trades effective 11/26. These changes are included in the new version of the regulations, 528 CMR 11, that has been posted on the website of the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler fitters.
ABC did not advocate for these changes and is looking into the background behind them. Just last week, Governor Healey announced that her administration is eliminating a series of regulations under the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, which oversees licensing, for the purpose of saving businesses time and money and enhancing the state’s competitiveness. ABC will ask the Governor to review these increases in pipefitter and refrigeration schooling, which clearly runs counter to these goals.
The changes are scheduled to take effective as of 11/9/2026. Please click the link to review the updated regulations 528 CMR 11.
ABC’s Gould Construction Institute issued the information below to students in these trades.
If you are preparing to take your exam after November 9, 2026, please plan accordingly as you may need to continue with your school hours and register for class in September to obtain the total number of educational hours needed based on these new changes.
The program requirements are summarized below based on the timing of when you expect to sit for your exam.
Unrestricted Pipefitting Journeyman License Requirements
(Prior to November 9, 2026)
High School Diploma or state equivalency certificate
- 350 classroom hours (ASME)
- 6,000 field hours obtained on the job
- Two different cards must be obtained prior to the start of school. Apprentices MUST apply for an apprentice license through the Bureau of pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler fitters AND register as an apprentice through the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
(On or after November 9, 2026)
- High School Diploma or state equivalency certificate
- 450 classroom hours (ASME) – New!
- 6,000 field hours obtained on the job
- Two different cards must be obtained prior to the start of school. Apprentices MUST apply for an apprentice license through the Bureau of pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler fitters AND register as an apprentice through the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
Exception: the Bureau may, in its discretion, accept applications meeting requirements effective prior to November 9, 2026 for individuals who suffered from a relevant, documented hardship. However, no such waivers shall be granted on or after May 10, 2027.
Refrigeration/Air Technician License Requirements
(Prior to November 9, 2026)
- High School Diploma or state equivalency certificate
- 100 Refrigeration Theory classroom hours
- 150 Electrical Code classroom hours
- EPA Section 608 Universal certification
- 6,000 field hours obtained on the job
- Two different cards must be obtained prior to the start of school. Apprentices MUST apply for an apprentice license through the Bureau of pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler fitters AND register as an apprentice through the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
(On or after November 9, 2026)
- High School Diploma or state equivalency certificate
- 300 Refrigeration Theory classroom hours - New!
- 150 Electrical Code classroom hours
- EPA Section 608 Universal certification
- 6,000 field hours obtained on the job
- Two different cards must be obtained prior to the start of school. Apprentices MUST apply for an apprentice license through the Bureau of pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler fitters AND register as an apprentice through the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
Exception: the Bureau may, in its discretion, accept applications meeting requirements effective prior to November 9, 2026 for individuals who suffered from a relevant, documented hardship. However, no such waivers shall be granted on or after May 10, 2027.
If you have any questions on these requirements, please do not hesitate to reach out to anyone on the GCI team.