Sheet metal licensing law taking effect in Massachusetts

A new law implemented last year that licenses the sheet metal trade in Massachusetts mandates that all sheet metal workers and contractors engaged in commercial and residential work in Massachusetts must be licensed.

The new law also established the Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers to develop regulations and policies.

While final regulations are still being developed, at a minimum the new law means that property management firms which need minor sheet metal work completed will have to engage licensed sheet metal workers. If those firms want their own staff to do the work, those people will need to be licensed.

Sheet metal workers will need to have a journeyman’s license or master license or be an apprentice.

Under the new law—Chapter 232 of the Acts of 2008—the practice of licensed sheet metal workers for commercial or industrial applications includes the manufacturing, fabrication, assembling, handling, erection, installation, dismantling, alteration, and repairing of:

• Duct or air exhaust systems
• Commercial fans, sheaves, belt guards, dampers, louvers, screens, registers, grilles, diffusers, sound traps, attenuators, mixing boxes, and access doors in connection with duct or air exhaust systems
• Architectural sheet metal watershed roof systems
• Kitchen hoods

The new law also regulates the testing, adjusting, and air-balancing of all air handling equipment; installation of ductwork during new or remodeling construction; and kitchen vents, bathroom exhaust vents, and fans. It also applies to residential applications, including home heating systems.

The New England Region of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and Massachusetts Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), supporting the law, said that “licensing can provide in raising standards of professionalism, safety, training, and awareness of the sheet metal trade.”

Both groups, however, have expressed concern that heavy union membership on the board isn’t representative of the fact that 80% of construction workers in Massachusetts are not affiliated with unions and that union affiliation is extremely rare in the residential construction industry.

For more information on sheet metal licensing requirements, please call Cochrane Ventilation at 800-974-9055 or email to info@cochraneventilation.com.

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