NOTICE OF NEW REGULATION

Changes to the Bureau of Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters, and Refrigeration Technicians’ (“Bureau”) regulations, 528 CMR, were originally filed as emergency regulations on September 15, 2014. Following a public hearing on October 31, 2014, the Bureau made some changes to its regulations as a result of public comment. The final amended regulations will go into effect on December 5, 2014. Many of the changes incorporated into the new regulation reflect and implement recent changes to the law regarding licensing and regulation in the area of process piping.

Below please find a summary of some of the more significant changes. This is a summary only and should not be read in lieu of the regulations themselves.

Highlights of the changes to 528 CMR include the following:

 

Process Piping Pipefitter License

Pursuant to language in the FY15 budget, a person who is currently licensed under M.G.L. c. 146 § 84 (Journeyman Pipefitter or Master Pipefitter) or M.G.L. c. 142 § 3 (Journeyman Plumber or Master Plumber) may be automatically grandfathered in to a new Process Piping Pipefitter License upon submission of a completed grandfathering application, copy of their current Journeyman or Master license, and payment of the applicable fee. The links to the applications are available at the bottom of the page.

The language also allows for anyone who is not a licensed pipefitter or plumber to be grandfathered in to a new Process Piping Pipefitter License if they submit satisfactory proof of being actively engaged in process piping for a period of four (4) years before September 15, 2014 to the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, and Sprinkler Fitters (“Bureau”). A completed grandfathering application, applicable fee, and a letter of attestation listing at least five (5) different examples of work experience in the process piping industry for at least a four (4) year period must be submitted and reviewed by the Bureau for consideration.

It is important to remember that the grandfathering period to qualify for a Process Piping Pipefitter License under the circumstances described in the above 2 paragraphs runs for a period of 180 days from September 15, 2014. Therefore, all documents must be submitted to the Department before March 14, 2015 when the grandfathering period ends.

Any person not licensed under M.G.L. c. 146 § 84 or M.G.L. c. 142 § 3 and has not been actively engaged in process piping for a period of four (4) years before September 15, 2014 does not qualify for grandfathering and must apply to sit for examination to attain a Process Piping Pipefitter License. The links to the applications are available at the bottom of the page.

 

New Pipefitter Licenses

The new regulation establishes several new Pipefitter licenses to accommodate the new Process Piping Pipefitter License. The previous licensing of Apprentice Pipefitter, Journeyman Pipefitter, and Master Pipefitter will be replaced by new Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master categories:

 

Master:

Within the Master Pipefitter License there are five license types:

1. Master Pipefitter – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PM-01)
2. Master Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PM-01-W
3. Master Pipefitter – Process Piping (PM-02)
4. Master Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Process Piping (PM-02-W)
5. Master Pipefitter Unrestricted (PM-00)

All Master Pipefitter License holders will be able to retain their current license number but their licenses will be now known as the Master Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PM-01-W). A Master Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PM-01-W) who submits a completed grandfathering application along with a copy of their Master license and applicable fee will be grandfathered to a Master Pipefitter Unrestricted (PM-00) license.

 

Journeyman:

Within the Journeyman Pipefitter License there are five license types:

1. Journeyman Pipefitter – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PJ-01)
2. Journeyman Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PJ-01-W)
3. Journeyman Pipefitter – Process Piping (PJ-02)
4. Journeyman Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Process Piping (PJ-02-W)
5. Journeyman Pipefitter Unrestricted (PJ-00)

All Journeyman Pipefitter License holders will be able to retain their current license number but their licenses will be now known as the Journeyman Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PJ-01-W). A Journeyman Pipefitter/Pipefitter Welder – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PJ-01-W) who submits a completed grandfathering application along with a copy of their Journeyman license and applicable fee will be grandfathered to a Journeyman Pipefitter Unrestricted (PJ-00) license.

 

Apprentice:

Within the Apprentice Pipefitter license there are three license types:

1. Apprentice Pipefitter – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PA-01)
2. Apprentice Pipefitter – Process Piping (PA-02)
3. Apprentice Pipefitter Unrestricted (PA-00)

All Apprentice Pipefitter License holders will be able to retain their current license number but their licenses will be now known as the Apprentice Pipefitter – Power, Heating, Cooling Piping (PA-01).

Both Master and Journeyman Pipefitter License require that applicants first obtain an Apprentice Pipefitter License. In order to obtain the Apprentice License, you must be registered as an apprentice with the Division of Apprentice Training. Once registered with the Division, you must then make application for the Apprentice Pipefitter License. Once the Apprentice Pipefitter License is obtained, applicants for Master and Journeyman Pipefitter License must submit evidence of additional experience and must meet the perquisite in accordance with the regulation prior to taking the exam. An Apprentice Pipefitter License is limited to two (2) license renewals, unless otherwise approved by the Bureau.

 

Fabrication

Under the new 528 CMR regulation, Fabrication associated with Pipefitting is defined as, “the joining of Piping components into integral pieces ready for assembly, which shall include bending, forming, threading, welding, or other operations upon these components, if not part of assembly. The work defined under this regulation shall only apply to on-site field production.” The definition of Fabrication applies to the Pipefitting work performed by a licensed Pipefitter once the parts and components leave the manufacturing shop or plant. The licensing requirements of 528 CMR do not apply to Pipefitting Fabrication production while the work is being done within a manufacturing shop or plant.