COVID-19 Updates - Click for details

COVID-19 Updates

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Please select from the topics below to learn about state updates and handlings as it pertains to the COVID-19 situation. 

 

*********UPDATE: July 10, 2020*********

Previously, the Division of Professional Licensure announced that if your MA Construction Supervisor license expired on or after March 10, 2020, your license would continue to be valid for up to 90 days after the state of emergency ended.  This has now changed as of July 10, 2020 and any MA Construction Supervisor license expiring and scheduled to be renewed between March 10, 2020 an July 10, 2020 will now have an expiration date of October 1, 2020 and must renew before that date.  Any license that is scheduled to expire on or after July 11, 2020 must be renewed on or before its originally scheduled expiration date.  

 

In compliance with Governor Baker's order prohibiting gatherings, and to promote the health and safety of our customers during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, we have postponed all CSL Continuing Education classroom sessions.

On April 14th, the BBRS has approved suspending the minimum 6 hour IN CLASS requirements for a period of 90 days after the state of emergency has been terminated for licensing renewal during that time. All Restricted (10-hour) and Unrestricted (12-hour) continuing education courses may be completed online through previously approved online classes, live webinars or any virtual platforms.

 

To serve our customers, we are offering the following options:

  1. Complete 10-hour & 12-hour online course bundles 
  2. The option to continue to postpone your in-class session until the state of emergency has been terminated. Please note: This option is situational; please read the posted MEMO below to discern between varying situations.  
 
To sign up for a course, visit our intelligent course chooser.
 

 

Update Posted 4/30/2020
MEMO - Executive Order and BBRS CSL Renewal Guidance
The Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) has received many inquiries from license holders seeking information about possible modifications to the continuing education and renewal requirements for Construction Supervisor Licenses (CSL) because of the COVID-19 state of emergency. Two significant actions relating to this question have occurred. The first involves Governor Baker's March 18, 2020 Executive Order (the Order) extending the registrations of individual licensed professionals up to 90 days after the state of emergency ends. The second is the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), waived the in-person classroom training requirement for construction supervisor license (CSL) renewal applications, during the state of emergency and up to 90 days following the end of the state of emergency. Additionally, the BBRS will also accept live webinars to serve in place of the in-person training requirement during the state of emergency and for 90 days after the state of emergency ends.
 
Order Extending Licensed Professionals. 
The Order applies to licenses, certificates, or registrations, in good standing as of the date of the Order that expire during the state of emergency. This action effectively keeps these licenses current until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency. Licensees will be able to utilize the 90-day window to complete their license requirements. A licensee in good standing at the time of the declaration of the state of emergency (March 10, 2020), can continue to practice for 90 days after the state of emergency ends. 
 
Board of Building Regulations and Standards Actions.
The BBRS, because of the public health emergency, suspended the in-person education requirement for all CSL renewal applications submitted to DPL during the state of emergency and up to 90 days following the declared end of the state of emergency. This action allows all 10 or 12 hours of required education to be completed through previously approved online courses. The BBRS also decided to accept approved courses delivered by way of a webinar during this period. The in-person class requirement suspension will stop 90 days after the state of emergency ends, at which time the in-person requirement will be reinstated.
 
The series of questions below should help licensees understand how the Order and the BBRS actions will apply to different situations.
 
Question 1. How does the Order apply to a CSL who cannot acquire the required in-person continuing education hours prescribed in 780 CMR Section 110.R5.4.3 for reasons related to the state of emergency?
Answer: A CSL holder, in good standing as of March 10, 2020, can continue to practice for the period of time encompassing the state of emergency and 90 days post termination of the state of emergency, or until the Order is rescinded, whichever happens first. The Order does not apply to licenses that expired prior to March 10, 2020; licenses that expire after the state of emergency ends; or to licenses that have been suspended or revoked.  
 
Question 2. Does the Order waive the in-person, classroom training required in the state building code, 780 CMR 110.R5.4.3? 
Answer:  The Order does not waive any educational requirements. However, the BBRS suspended the in-person class requirement for all CSL renewal applications submitted to DPL during the state of emergency and up to 90 days following the end of the state of emergency.
 
Question 3. If my CSL expires right after the emergency ends, can I complete the continuing education requirements on-line to renew my license? 
Answer: Yes. The BBRS did suspend the in-person class requirement for all CSL renewal applications submitted to DPL during the state of emergency and up to 90 days following the declared end of the state of emergency, allowing all 10 or 12 hours to be completed through approved online classes.
 
Question 4. If my CSL expires right after the emergency ends, can I continue to use my license to acquire building permits for the 90 days following the declared end of the state of emergency while I complete the continuing education requirements to renew my license?
Answer: No. The Order and the actions of the BBRS only extend to those CLS licenses that expire during the state of emergency.  If your CSL license expires AFTER the state of emergency ends, you will not be allowed to use your license to acquire building permits.  The BBRS suspended the in-person classroom requirement for 90 days after the end of the state of emergency, allowing for all 10 or 12 hours to be completed through previously approved online classes for those renewing during this period.  
 
Question 5. Does the waiver of in-person classroom continuing education classes apply to every CSL?
Answer:  No. CSLs renewing more than 90 days after the state of emergency ends must follow the usual rules for obtaining continuing education, including meeting the live classroom requirements.

*********UPDATE: July 10, 2020*********

Previously, the Division of Professional Licensure announced that if your MA Hoisting license expired on or after March 10, 2020, your license would continue to be valid for up to 90 days after the state of emergency ended.  This has now changed as of July 10, 2020 and any MA Hoisting license expiring and scheduled to be renewed between March 10, 2020 an July 10, 2020 will now have an expiration date of October 1, 2020 and must renew before that date.  Any license that is scheduled to expire on or after July 11, 2020 must be renewed on or before its originally scheduled expiration date.  

 

*********UPDATE: September 16, 2020*********

October 31, 2020 will be the last day of 2020 for the state to receive your application in order to test in 2020. Any applications received after this date will be processed for testing in 2021.
 
 

 

*********UPDATE: July 6, 2020*********

 
As of July 27, 2020, the Division of Professional Licensure will resume offering the MA Hoisting Exams.  Here is what we know...
 
  • Beginning July 27, 2020, exams will take place every week, Monday - Friday, until everyone who has submitted an application is caught up.
  • Exams will only be offered in two locations; Fort Devens and Taunton. There will be multiple sessions each day.
  • Due to COVID, and current Governor's orders under phase 3, exam rooms will be at a limited capacity. 
  • If you have already submitted your application, you do not need to reapply.  The state will contact you by USPS Mail with your exam date and location 2 weeks prior to your exam.
  • If you do not appear for your exam, you will be put at the end of the line.  
 
This information is subject to change based upon COVID. In the event there is a resurge, the Division of Professional Licensure may be forced to halt exams until further notice.  We will update this page as information becomes available.
 
************************************
 
The Office of Public Safety and Inspections has cancelled some hoisting exams due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Governor Baker’s state of emergency declaration, and the closure of colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth.
 
If you were scheduled for an OPSI hoisting exam, you will be receiving a notice in the mail if your exam is canceled. Please click this link to view an example of the OPSI's official notice. 
 
You will not need to reapply for your exam and the exam session will be rescheduled "as soon as it is practical". When the exam schedule does recommence, the state will be looking to hold multiple exams in order to get everyone caught up. 
 
Please check the Division of Professional Licensure's website for updates in regards to the situation.
 
 
 
For more information on the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please visit Mass.gov.
 
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time as we work through these unprecedented circumstances.

With regard to completion of continuing education requirements for the current cycle, the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, taking into consideration the seriousness of the COVID-19 crisis, will allow licensees a variance to satisfy the continuing education requirements under Board rules by completion of live webinars, Zoom meeting/training courses, and live online courses for fulfillment of the continuing education requirement for the June 30, 2020 renewal.

This accommodation will allow licensees to truthfully answer “yes” to the online renewal question regarding continuing education completion if they obtained their hours using these methods. If a licensee is selected for a random continuing education renewal audit, they would need to submit a petition for variance along with the certificates of completion for the required hours of continuing education. Licensees do not need to submit the petition for variance to the Board unless they have been requested by the Board to submit proof of their renewal continuing education.

We are pleased to offer our valued customers several online course options. Please click here to learn more.

*********UPDATE: July 10, 2020*********

Previously, the Division of Professional Licensure announced that your MA Plumbers license would continue to be valid for up to 90 days after the state of emergency ended.  This has now changed as of July 10, 2020 and any MA Plumbers license now must be renewed by October 1, 2020.  Please see noticed posted by Commonwealth below. 

 

 

Due to COVID-19, the renewal date for MA Plumbers & Gas fitters License has been extended for 3 months.  The three month date will commence the day the state of emergency is lifted by the Governor.  For example, if the state of emergency in MA is lifted on May 18, 2020, then the "new" renewal date for MA Plumbers and Gas Fitters licenses will be August 18, 2020.