[General Laws, Chapter 142.]

Definitions

Section 1. In this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings:

"Certificate," certificates of registration issued in accordance with section three of chapter five hundred and thirty-six of the acts of nineteen hundred and nine, section two of chapter five hundred and ninety-seven of the acts of nineteen hundred and ten or chapter five hundred and eighteen of the acts of nineteen hundred and twelve.

"Examiners," state examiners of plumbers appointed under section ten of chapter seventeen.

"Journeyman," a person who himself does any work in plumbing subject to inspection under any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation.

"Master plumber," a plumber having a regular place of business and who, by himself or journeymen plumbers in his employ, performs plumbing work.

"Practical plumber," a person who has learned the business of plumbing by working for at least two years as an apprentice or under a verbal agreement for instruction and who has then worked for at least one year as a journeyman plumber.

"Registered," registered in accordance with section three of chapter five hundred and thirty-six of the acts of nineteen hundred and nine, section two of chapter five hundred and ninety-seven of the acts of nineteen hundred and ten or chapter five hundred and eighteen of the acts of nineteen hundred and twelve.

[l894, c. 455, Sect. 1; R. L. 103, Sect. 1; 1909, c. 536, Sect. 9; 219 Mass. 33; 225 Mass. 192.]

Application of Chapter

Sect. 2. Sections one to seven, inclusive, sections eleven and twelve and sections fourteen to sixteen, inclusive, shall apply to all cities and section thirteen shall apply to all cities except Boston; provided, that any such city except Boston may by vote of its city council exempt from the provisions of said sections any or all of its territory lying outside of the limits of the water supply of such city, or unconnected with a common sewer. Sections one, three, six and seven and sections eleven to sixteen, inclusive, shall apply to all towns which by vote of their inhabitants accept said sections or have accepted corresponding provisions of earlier laws, and said sections, except section thirteen, shall apply to all towns which accept rules formulated by the examiners under sections eight and nine or have accepted them under corresponding provisions of earlier laws.

[1895, c. 453; R. L. 103, Sect. 12; 1909, c. 536, Sect. 8; 1910, c. 349, Sect. 4; 1911, c. 262.]

Master Plumbers and Journeymen Must be Licensed

Sect. 3. No person shall engage in the business of a master plumber or work as a journeyman unless he is lawfully registered, or has been licensed by the examiners as provided in this chapter. The license or certificate of a journeyman shall be exhibited whenever required by an inspector of plumbing. Every master plumber's license or certificate shall at all times be displayed conspicuously within his place of business.

[1893, c. 477, Sect. 1; 1894, c. 455, Sect. 1; R. L. 103, Sect. 1; 1909, c. 536, Sect. 4; 213 Mass. 138; 217 Mass. 134.]

Rides for Examinations of Plumbers

Sect. 4. The examiners may make such rules as they deem necessary for the proper performance of their duties, which shall take effect when approved by the department of public health. They shall examine each applicant desiring to engage in the business of a master plumber or to work as a journeyman, as to his practical knowledge of plumbing, house drainage and plumbing ventilation, and subject him to a practical test satisfactory to the examiners, who if satisfied of his competence shall issue to him a license as applied for. They shall hold frequent examinations in Boston and, twice in each year, hold examinations at five other convenient places within the commonwealth. Public notice shall be given of all examinations. Every application for examination shall be in the handwriting of the applicant who shall be notified by the examiners of the time and place of examination.

The examiners may, without payment of any fee, issue a probationary license in force for six months to a person who, having worked as an apprentice, or under a verbal agreement for instruction, for not less than three years, presents an application therefor with the signed endorsement of his employer agreeing to be responsible for all work done under the license and to have the licensee, at the expiration of the license, present himself for examination as a journeyman.

[1893, c. 477, Sects. 2, 4; 1894, c. 455, Sects. 2, 4; R. L. 103, Sects. 2, 4; 1909, c. 536, Sect. 2; 225 Mass. 192.]

Fees for Licenses, Examinations and Renewals

Sect. 5. The fee for the license of a master plumber shall be two dollars; for examination and for renewals fifty cents each; for the license of a journeyman fifty cents each.

[R. L. 103, Sect. 4; 1909, c. 536, Sect. 3; 1893, c. 477, Sect. 4; 1894, c. 455, Sect. 4.]

Licenses, Validity of - Registration and Revocation of

Sect. 6. Licenses and certificates issued by the examiners shall be valid throughout the commonwealth. The examiners shall forward to the board of health of each town, or to the inspector of buildings having control of the enforcement of regulations relative to plumbing in such town, the names and addresses of all persons in such town to whom such licenses have been granted. Licenses shall be issued for one year and may be renewed annually on or before May first upon payment of the required fee. Each holder of a master plumber's certificate or license shall register his name and business address with said inspector of buildings if he has such control, otherwise, with the board of health, in the town wherein he desires to engage in business as a master plumber. The examiners may, after notice and hearing, revoke the license of a licensee violating any regulation relative to plumbing who has previously been convicted of a like offence.