MASSACHUSETTS
FIRE SPRINKLER CONTRACTOR EXAM
100 Practice Questions & Verified Correct Answers
Plus Full Rationales for Every Question — Latest Edition
Included Correct answer key + written rationale for every question
Organized Into 8 topic sections mirroring the OPSI exam content outline
Governing Authority M.G.L. c.146 §§81–88; 528 CMR 11.00 (Massachusetts DOL / OPSI)
, How to Use This Guide
● Work through each section in order — the sections mirror the general content flow of the OPSI Contractor exam,
moving from Massachusetts licensing law into NFPA technical content.
● Attempt every question before checking the answer. Cover the answer/rationale block with a sheet of paper if
needed.
● Read every rationale, even for questions you answer correctly — the rationale often contains an adjacent fact or
code citation that appears elsewhere on the exam in a different form.
● Where a rationale references a specific NFPA section, cross-check it against the current edition of that standard
referenced by 528 CMR and the Massachusetts State Building Code, since edition-specific numeric values
(areas, densities, distances) are periodically revised.
, Section A — Massachusetts Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Law (M.G.L.
c.146 §§81-88 & 528 CMR 11.00)
Covers the statutory and regulatory framework administered by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI),
Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), which licenses Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractors, Journeyman
Sprinkler Fitters, and Apprentice Sprinkler Fitters in Massachusetts.
Q1. Under 528 CMR 11.04, what minimum score must an applicant achieve on the written
examination to qualify for a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor license?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(b)(5) requires an applicant to correctly answer 70% or more of the examination questions
to qualify for a license.
Q2. How many years of work experience as a Massachusetts Sprinkler Fitter/Journeyman Sprinkler
Fitter are generally required before an individual may apply for a Contractor's license?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(b)(4) and the OPSI contractor application both require five years of documented work
experience in a management position in the fire protection sprinkler business.
Q3. How many hours of Bureau-approved additional education must a Contractor-license applicant
complete as a prerequisite?
A. 144 hours
B. 200 hours
C. 300 hours
D. 400 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(b)(3) requires 300 hours of Bureau-approved additional education beyond the
journeyman-level training.
Q4. Which state agency issues and administers Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor
licenses in Massachusetts?
A. Department of Public Health
B. Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure
C. Department of Fire Services
D. Board of Building Regulations and Standards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OPSI, within the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), receives applications, schedules exams, and
issues sprinkler fitter and contractor licenses under M.G.L. c.146.
, Q5. What is the minimum amount of "completed operations" liability insurance coverage a
licensed Contractor must carry per occurrence to renew a license under 528 CMR 11.04(h)?
A. $100,000
B. $250,000
C. $500,000
D. $1,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(h) requires proof of liability insurance, including completed-operations coverage, of at
least $500,000 per occurrence (or an equivalent bond) before a renewal will be issued.
Q6. An apprentice sprinkler fitter may only be employed by:
A. Any licensed plumbing contractor
B. A Massachusetts fire protection sprinkler contractor
C. A general contractor with a home improvement registration
D. A licensed journeyman working independently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: M.G.L. c.146 §85A and 528 CMR 11.04(a) state a person may be employed as an apprentice sprinkler
fitter only by a fire protection sprinkler contractor, and must work under direct supervision of a contractor or
journeyman.
Q7. How long does a Massachusetts sprinkler contractor license remain valid before renewal is
required?
A. It expires annually on January 1
B. It continues in force until a point 12-24 months after issuance tied to the licensee's date of birth
C. It is a lifetime license once granted
D. It must be renewed every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: M.G.L. c.146 §85 provides that a license continues in force until the licensee's date of birth occurring
more than 12 but not more than 24 months after the license date, unless suspended or revoked, effectively creating a
biennial renewal cycle.
Q8. If a licensed journeyman sprinkler fitter who serves as a contractor's designated license
holder leaves that employer, within how many days must the contractor and license holder notify
the Division?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(f)-(g) requires notification to the Division within 30 days of the license holder leaving
employment.
FIRE SPRINKLER CONTRACTOR EXAM
100 Practice Questions & Verified Correct Answers
Plus Full Rationales for Every Question — Latest Edition
Included Correct answer key + written rationale for every question
Organized Into 8 topic sections mirroring the OPSI exam content outline
Governing Authority M.G.L. c.146 §§81–88; 528 CMR 11.00 (Massachusetts DOL / OPSI)
, How to Use This Guide
● Work through each section in order — the sections mirror the general content flow of the OPSI Contractor exam,
moving from Massachusetts licensing law into NFPA technical content.
● Attempt every question before checking the answer. Cover the answer/rationale block with a sheet of paper if
needed.
● Read every rationale, even for questions you answer correctly — the rationale often contains an adjacent fact or
code citation that appears elsewhere on the exam in a different form.
● Where a rationale references a specific NFPA section, cross-check it against the current edition of that standard
referenced by 528 CMR and the Massachusetts State Building Code, since edition-specific numeric values
(areas, densities, distances) are periodically revised.
, Section A — Massachusetts Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Law (M.G.L.
c.146 §§81-88 & 528 CMR 11.00)
Covers the statutory and regulatory framework administered by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI),
Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), which licenses Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractors, Journeyman
Sprinkler Fitters, and Apprentice Sprinkler Fitters in Massachusetts.
Q1. Under 528 CMR 11.04, what minimum score must an applicant achieve on the written
examination to qualify for a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor license?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(b)(5) requires an applicant to correctly answer 70% or more of the examination questions
to qualify for a license.
Q2. How many years of work experience as a Massachusetts Sprinkler Fitter/Journeyman Sprinkler
Fitter are generally required before an individual may apply for a Contractor's license?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(b)(4) and the OPSI contractor application both require five years of documented work
experience in a management position in the fire protection sprinkler business.
Q3. How many hours of Bureau-approved additional education must a Contractor-license applicant
complete as a prerequisite?
A. 144 hours
B. 200 hours
C. 300 hours
D. 400 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(b)(3) requires 300 hours of Bureau-approved additional education beyond the
journeyman-level training.
Q4. Which state agency issues and administers Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor
licenses in Massachusetts?
A. Department of Public Health
B. Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure
C. Department of Fire Services
D. Board of Building Regulations and Standards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OPSI, within the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), receives applications, schedules exams, and
issues sprinkler fitter and contractor licenses under M.G.L. c.146.
, Q5. What is the minimum amount of "completed operations" liability insurance coverage a
licensed Contractor must carry per occurrence to renew a license under 528 CMR 11.04(h)?
A. $100,000
B. $250,000
C. $500,000
D. $1,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(h) requires proof of liability insurance, including completed-operations coverage, of at
least $500,000 per occurrence (or an equivalent bond) before a renewal will be issued.
Q6. An apprentice sprinkler fitter may only be employed by:
A. Any licensed plumbing contractor
B. A Massachusetts fire protection sprinkler contractor
C. A general contractor with a home improvement registration
D. A licensed journeyman working independently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: M.G.L. c.146 §85A and 528 CMR 11.04(a) state a person may be employed as an apprentice sprinkler
fitter only by a fire protection sprinkler contractor, and must work under direct supervision of a contractor or
journeyman.
Q7. How long does a Massachusetts sprinkler contractor license remain valid before renewal is
required?
A. It expires annually on January 1
B. It continues in force until a point 12-24 months after issuance tied to the licensee's date of birth
C. It is a lifetime license once granted
D. It must be renewed every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: M.G.L. c.146 §85 provides that a license continues in force until the licensee's date of birth occurring
more than 12 but not more than 24 months after the license date, unless suspended or revoked, effectively creating a
biennial renewal cycle.
Q8. If a licensed journeyman sprinkler fitter who serves as a contractor's designated license
holder leaves that employer, within how many days must the contractor and license holder notify
the Division?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 528 CMR 11.04(f)-(g) requires notification to the Division within 30 days of the license holder leaving
employment.
