To work on elevators in Massachusetts, you will need a personnel license issued by the Board of Elevator Examiners, part of the Division of Occupational Licensure. The primary path to an Elevator Mechanic license requires completing a registered apprenticeship and passing a state-administered exam, while the Elevator Operator license has a more direct application process. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the requirements, fees, and renewal procedures for both license types, based on the official Massachusetts regulations.
Do you need a license to do elevator work in Massachusetts?
Yes, all elevator constructors and operators must be licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations. Per M.G.L. c. 143, § 62, this requirement covers work on moving stairways, dumbwaiters, moving walks, material lifts, wheelchair lifts, and other associated devices commonly included within the elevator industry. The state issues two distinct tiers of personnel licenses: the Elevator Mechanic license and the Elevator Operator license.
Who issues the license?
Elevator licenses in Massachusetts are issued by the Board of Elevator Examiners and regulated by the Board of Elevator Regulations. Both boards operate under the state's Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) within the Office of Public Safety and Inspections.
Massachusetts elevator license types (Mechanic vs. Operator)
Massachusetts offers two distinct personnel licenses for elevator work: the Elevator Mechanic license and the Elevator Operator license, each authorizing a different scope of work.
Elevator Mechanic license
The Elevator Mechanic license authorizes an individual to construct, install, alter, test, repair, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walks, and related equipment. This is the license required for anyone performing hands-on technical work in the trade.
Elevator Operator license
The Elevator Operator license has a much narrower scope, authorizing an individual only to operate specific elevator equipment. This license does not permit construction, repair, or maintenance activities.
What about a "1C" elevator license?
The official Massachusetts statutes and regulations reviewed do not identify a "1C" license as a personnel license for elevator work. The two state-level licenses issued by the Board of Elevator Examiners are the Elevator Mechanic and Elevator Operator licenses. Applicants should ensure they are applying for the correct classification based on their intended scope of work.
Eligibility requirements for the Elevator Mechanic license
To be eligible for an Elevator Mechanic license in Massachusetts, you must be a registered apprentice and provide documentary proof of specific on-the-job training and classroom instruction, per M.G.L. c. 143 §71C. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria.
- Registered Elevator Constructor Apprentice: You must be a current registered elevator constructor apprentice with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training.
- On-the-Job Training Hours: You must have completed at least 6,000 on-the-job-training hours over a period of not less than 3 years. This training must be as an elevator constructor apprentice under the direct and immediate field supervision of a licensed elevator mechanic in the Commonwealth.
- Classroom Training: You must have successfully completed a minimum of 450 hours of classroom training from an approved instructional program, such as the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) or its educational equivalent.
What you must submit with the application
- A completed application form
- Proof of current registration as an elevator constructor apprentice
- Proof of completing 6,000 on-the-job training hours
- Proof of completing 450 classroom training hours
- A passport-style photo (or authorization for the Board to use your RMV photo)
- The non-refundable application fee of $75
Eligibility requirements for the Elevator Operator license
Massachusetts does not specify a work experience or examination requirement for the Elevator Operator license. To apply, you only need to submit the required documentation and fee.
- A completed application form
- Your Social Security number and mailing address
- A passport-style photo (or authorization for the Board to use your RMV photo)
- The non-refundable application fee of $25
Massachusetts elevator exam (Mechanic)
The Massachusetts Board of Elevator Examiners administers a written examination and may require practical tests for all Elevator Mechanic license applicants. Each application entitles the applicant to one attempt at the examination.
Exam format and topics
The written exam covers the technical and safety knowledge required for elevator work. Its content is based on the state's safety code, found in 524 CMR 35.00, which incorporates the ASME A17.1-2013 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators along with specific Massachusetts modifications.
How to schedule
Exam scheduling is handled by the Board of Elevator Examiners after a complete application has been submitted and approved. Current scheduling timelines vary; confirm with the Board after applying.
What happens if you fail
Under M.G.L. c. 143 §71C, each application fee covers only one examination. If you fail the exam, you must submit a new application and fee to be eligible for re-examination.
Massachusetts elevator license fees
The application and renewal fees for elevator licenses are set by the Board.
- Elevator Mechanic:
- Application fee: $75
- Renewal fee: $75
- Elevator Operator:
- Application fee: $25
- Renewal fee: $20
Other costs to plan for
In addition to licensing fees, elevator work involves other costs. Elevator installations require separate equipment permits and inspections, with fees set under 801 CMR 4.02. The specific dollar amounts for these permits are published by the state; confirm current fees before beginning a project. Applicants should also plan for costs associated with apprenticeship programs, continuing education courses, and any exam preparation materials.
Insurance, bond, and contractor registration requirements
No specific insurance or bond requirements were identified in the reviewed state regulations (M.G.L. c. 143 §71C) for an individual to hold a personal Elevator Mechanic or Elevator Operator license. These licenses authorize an individual's work, not the operation of a business.
How to apply for a Massachusetts elevator license (step-by-step)
Follow these steps to obtain your Elevator Mechanic license in Massachusetts. The process for an Operator license is simpler and involves only steps 4, 5, and 7.
- Enroll in a Registered Apprenticeship: Confirm that you are enrolled as a registered elevator constructor apprentice with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training.
- Complete Training Requirements: Fulfill the required 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 450 hours of classroom instruction from an approved program.
- Gather Proof Documents: Collect documentation proving your apprenticeship registration, completed OJT hours, and classroom training certificate.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the appropriate application form from the Mass.gov website.
- Submit Application and Fee: Submit your completed application, all required documents, and the non-refundable application fee to the Division of Occupational Licensure.
- Pass the Examination: Once your application is approved, schedule and pass the written examination administered by the Board of Elevator Examiners.
- Receive Your License: Upon passing the exam, you will be issued your Elevator Mechanic license. Note the expiration date, which is tied to your birthday.
Where to apply and what forms to use
Application forms and detailed instructions are available on the official Mass.gov website.
- Apply for an Elevator Mechanic's License
- Apply for an Elevator Operator's License
- Elevator Forms & Applications Index
Renewal, expiration, and re-instatement
Under M.G.L. c. 143 §71C, Massachusetts elevator licenses follow a birthday-anchored renewal cycle, and licenses not renewed by their expiration date become void and require re-examination after one year.
When your license expires
An Elevator Mechanic license expires on the licensee's birthday. The initial license is valid "until the date of birth of the licensee occurring more than twelve months but not more than twenty-four months after the date of such license." Subsequent renewals are structured on a two-year cycle, expiring on the licensee's birthday in either the next even-numbered or odd-numbered year, depending on the year of the previous expiration.
Renewing online
You can renew your license online up to 60 days before its expiration date. A notice of expiration will be sent to the licensee at least thirty days before the expiration date.
What happens if you let it lapse
A license that is not renewed by the expiration date becomes void. If the license remains void for more than one year, it can only be reinstated by submitting a new application and re-passing the examination.
Continuing education for Elevator Mechanic renewal
Elevator Mechanics in Massachusetts must complete at least eight hours of approved continuing education within the one year immediately preceding license renewal, per M.G.L. c. 143 §71C.
Eligible providers
Continuing education must be completed through providers approved by the Board of Elevator Regulations. The statute specifically allows for courses taught through "association seminars and labor training programs."
What to submit at renewal
You must submit a certificate of completion for your continuing education course along with your renewal application.
Operator license CE
No separate continuing education requirement was identified in the reviewed regulations for the renewal of an Elevator Operator license.
Reciprocity and out-of-state applicants
No reciprocity or license endorsement agreements for out-of-state elevator mechanics were identified in the Massachusetts statutes or application materials reviewed. All applicants, regardless of licensure in other states, must follow the standard pathway of completing a Massachusetts-registered apprenticeship (or equivalent) and passing the state examination to obtain an Elevator Mechanic license.