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Exam Review

Key Facts: MA Plumber Exam

70%

Passing Score Per Part

PSI CIB 10/3/2025

80 + 40

Written + Practical Items

PSI CIB

248 CMR

Code Base

UPC-derived Uniform State Plumbing Code

$80

PSI Exam Fee

PSI CIB exam administration

The Massachusetts journeyman plumber exam is a closed-book PSI two-part test (80 written + 40 practical). Each part is 160 minutes and requires 70%. Massachusetts uses 248 CMR, a UPC-derived plumbing code, not the IPC, and includes fuel gas on the same license.

Sample MA Plumber Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the MA Plumber exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 319+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per the 248 CMR as adopted by Massachusetts, what is the minimum slope for a 4-inch horizontal drain pipe?
A.1/16 inch per foot
B.1/8 inch per foot
C.1/4 inch per foot
D.1/2 inch per foot
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based), horizontal drainage pipes 4 inches and larger require a minimum slope of 1/8 inch per foot. Pipes 3 inches or smaller require 1/4 inch per foot minimum slope.
2Per the 248 CMR, what is the DFU value for a floor-mounted water closet (1.6 GPF)?
A.2 DFU
B.3 DFU
C.4 DFU
D.6 DFU
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based) fixture unit table, a floor-mounted water closet with a 1.6 GPF rating has a DFU value of 4. This is the standard value used for drainage system sizing.
3What is the minimum building drain size for a system with 200 DFUs per the 248 CMR as adopted by Massachusetts?
A.3 inches
B.4 inches
C.5 inches
D.6 inches
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based) drainage sizing tables, a 4-inch building drain at 1/8 inch per foot slope can handle up to approximately 216 DFUs, so 4 inches is adequate for 200 DFUs.
4Per the 248 CMR, cleanouts in horizontal drains must be installed at intervals not exceeding what distance?
A.50 feet
B.75 feet
C.100 feet
D.125 feet
Explanation: Per 248 CMR 10.08(3)(a), cleanouts on horizontal drainage and branch drain piping 4 inches or smaller must be placed no more than 50 feet apart. Piping larger than 4 inches allows cleanouts up to 100 feet apart.
5Per the 248 CMR, what is the minimum slope for a 2-inch horizontal drain pipe?
A.1/16 inch per foot
B.1/8 inch per foot
C.1/4 inch per foot
D.1/2 inch per foot
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based), horizontal drainage pipes 3 inches and smaller (including 2-inch) require a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot to maintain adequate flow velocity.
6Per the 248 CMR as adopted by Massachusetts, a lavatory has what DFU value?
A.0.5 DFU
B.1 DFU
C.1.5 DFU
D.2 DFU
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based) fixture unit table, a lavatory has a DFU value of 1. This is one of the lowest individual fixture DFU ratings.
7What is the minimum trap size for a kitchen sink per the 248 CMR?
A.1-1/4 inches
B.1-1/2 inches
C.2 inches
D.3 inches
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based), the minimum trap and drain size for a kitchen sink is 1-1/2 inches.
8Per the 248 CMR, what fitting is required for a horizontal-to-horizontal direction change in drainage piping?
A.Short-sweep quarter bend
B.Long-sweep quarter bend or equivalent
C.Standard tee fitting
D.Any available fitting
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based), horizontal-to-horizontal changes of direction must use long-sweep fittings. Short-sweep fittings are restricted to horizontal-to-vertical transitions.
9Per the 248 CMR, indirect waste from a commercial dishwasher must discharge through what?
A.A direct connection to the building drain
B.An air gap to an approved receptor
C.A check valve
D.A backwater valve
Explanation: Per the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (248 CMR, UPC-based), indirect waste from commercial food equipment must discharge through an air gap into an approved floor sink or receptor to prevent contamination.
10Per the 248 CMR, what is the maximum DFU load on a 3-inch horizontal branch drain per Table 2?
A.20 DFU
B.34 DFU
C.36 DFU
D.42 DFU
Explanation: Per 248 CMR 10.15(7) Table 2, a 3-inch horizontal branch drain at 1/8 inch per foot slope (the table value for horizontal branches) handles a maximum of 34 DFU (*not more than four water closets).

About the MA Plumber Exam

Massachusetts journeyman plumber licensing exam administered by PSI for the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Closed-book two-part exam: 80 written items in 160 minutes and 40 practical items in 160 minutes, 70% required on each part. Tests 248 CMR (Uniform State Plumbing Code, UPC-derived) plus Massachusetts fuel gas rules (NFPA 54 with 248 CMR 5.00 amendments). A Massachusetts journeyman plumber license authorizes both plumbing and fuel gas fitting work.

Exam sponsor: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (exams by PSI). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

120 questions

Time Limit

160 minutes per part

Passing Score

70% on each part

Exam / Certification Fees

$80 PSI exam; $31 application; $52 license

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by Massachusetts. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

23%

Gas Piping, Equipment & Appliances

Gas design, materials, CSST, underground piping, regulators, testing and purging, combustion air, appliances, and equipment over 400,000 BTU

17%

Gas / Appliance Venting

Positive vs non-positive venting, natural draft, chimneys, vent sizing, and vent materials

17%

Isometric Analysis

Part II isometric drawings, takeoffs, and plan analysis

11%

Drain, Waste & Vent

DWV materials, storm, sanitary sizing, indirect and special waste, and 248 CMR 10.16 plumbing vents

12%

Water Supply, Heaters, Valves & Fixtures

Water sizing, backflow, temperatures, water heaters, valves, and fixture clearances

8%

Code Administration, Permits & Safety

M.G.L. c. 142, 248 CMR administration, permits, inspections, and excavation safety

13%

Interceptors, Traps, Joints, Supports & Trade Math

Grease interceptors, holding tanks, oil/sand separators, traps, cleanouts, joints, hangers, and Part II calculations

Preparing for the MA Plumber Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% on each part
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 160 minutes per part
  • Exam / certification fees: $80 PSI exam; $31 application; $52 license Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 319 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MA Plumber: Suggested Study Strategy

1Study 248 CMR 10.00 — it is UPC-derived, not IPC; fixture-unit and vent tables will not match IPC study books
2Memorize 248 CMR 10.15 Table 1 DFU values and Table 2 horizontal-drain loads, including that a 3-inch building drain has no 1/8 in/ft column
3Treat gas piping (21 written items) and gas venting (12 written items) as the two largest Part I domains, then add Part II gas piping and gas venting
4Practice isometric takeoffs without a code book — Part II is 40 closed-book items in 160 minutes, 20 of them isometrics
5Review CSST, underground gas, regulators, and purging in 248 CMR 5.00 / NFPA 54; those CIB bullets are tested separately
6Know trap seals (2–4 inches) and the 1-inch water-column pressure-differential limit in 248 CMR 10.08
7Confirm T&P discharge and water-heater rules in 248 CMR 10.14 and M.G.L. c. 142 rather than generic national pamphlets
8Bring only a non-programmable, non-printing, silent calculator; the exam is closed book

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Massachusetts journeyman plumber exam?

The exam is a closed-book two-part PSI test covering 248 CMR plumbing and Massachusetts fuel gas rules. Each part requires 70%. Massachusetts does not publish an official pass rate. Candidates who trained on the IPC must relearn UPC-style 248 CMR tables.

What plumbing code does Massachusetts use?

Massachusetts uses 248 CMR 10.00, the Uniform State Plumbing Code, which is derived from the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), not the International Plumbing Code (IPC). Fuel gas is tested from NFPA 54 (2012) as amended by 248 CMR 4.00 and 5.00, plus 248 CMR 7.00 for large gas utilization equipment.

How much does the Massachusetts journeyman plumber exam cost?

The Board application fee is $31 (non-refundable). PSI charges $80 to administer the examination (first time or retake). After both parts are passed, the license fee is $52, paid through DOL eLIPSE. Confirm current fees on Mass.gov and the PSI bulletin before paying.

Does the Massachusetts plumber license include gas fitting?

Yes. The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters regulates both trades. A Massachusetts journeyman plumber is authorized to perform plumbing and fuel gas fitting work subject to inspection. Gas piping and appliance venting are the largest blocks on the PSI written outline.