Page 1 of 85
Massachusetts Second Class Engineer License EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
Massachusetts Second Class Engineer License Exam
200 Practice Questions with Rationales
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Governing Agency – The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS), Division of
Inspection, administers the engineer licensing program under M.G.L. c. 146. The Board
of Boiler Rules adopts the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code .
2. License Scope – A Second Class Engineer is the "Engineer-in-charge" of any boiler,
engine, or turbine not exceeding 150 horsepower each, responsible for daily operation
and maintenance .
3. Experience Requirements – Applicants must have: (a) 2 years operating a steam plant
with at least one 50 HP engine/turbine; OR (b) held a 3rd Class Engineer license for 1
year; OR (c) equivalent license from another state or Merchant Marine for 2 years; OR
(d) 3 years machinist/boilermaker apprenticeship + 1 year steam plant operation; OR (e)
B.S. in Engineering + 1 year steam plant operation .
4. Exam Format – The examination has two parts: (a) a 4-hour written exam requiring
a 70% score to pass; (b) an oral exam conducted by a board of three district engineering
inspectors. An oral exam is recorded and kept on file .
5. Application Requirements – Applicants must be a U.S. citizen (or filed declaration of
intention), 18 or older, provide proof of experience, include a passport-style photo, and
submit a license endorsement from an engineer/fireman holding the same or higher
grade license .
6. License Renewal & CE – Licenses are valid for 5 years and require 30 hours of continuing
education during the term, covering M.G.L. c. 146, steam boiler/turbine operation, and
ASME/NBIC codes .
7. Key Reference Standards – ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section I (Power
Boilers), ASME Section VII (Care of Power Boilers), NBIC, ASME B31.1 Power Piping, and
M.G.L. c. 146 .
8. Pressure & Temperature Fundamentals – 1 psi = 2.31 ft of water column. Critical point
of water: 3206.2 psia at 705.4°F . Saturated water enthalpy at 212°F = 180 Btu/lb .
, Page 2 of 85
9. Combustion Principles – Stoichiometric combustion uses theoretical air only. Oxygen is
20.9% and nitrogen 79.09% of air. Carbon requires 2.67 lbs O₂ per lb burned. Natural gas
theoretical max CO₂ = 11.7–12% .
10. Laws of Thermodynamics – Second Law: No machine can continuously and completely
transform heat into mechanical energy (no 100% efficiency) . Boyle's Law: P₁V₁ = P₂V₂ at
constant temperature. Charles' Law: V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂ at constant pressure .
QUESTIONS 1-200
1. Which Massachusetts agency administers the Second Class Engineer licensing examination?
A) Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
B) Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Division of Inspection
C) Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards
D) Massachusetts Department of Public Safety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS), Division of Inspection,
administers the engineer licensing program under M.G.L. c. 146. The chief and inspectors of the
division act as examiners for applicants for licenses as engineers or firemen .
2. According to Massachusetts regulations, what is the maximum horsepower a Second Class
Engineer may be in charge of?
A) 50 horsepower
B) 100 horsepower
C) 150 horsepower
D) 200 horsepower
, Page 3 of 85
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Second Class Engineer is the "Engineer-in-charge" of any boiler, engine or
turbine not exceeding 150 horsepower each. The engineer is responsible to the owners and
authorities for the daily operation and maintenance of the steam boiler, engines, and/or
turbines .
3. What is the minimum passing score on the written examination for a Second Class Engineer
license?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 146, Section 64 establishes that a mark of
seventy percent (70%) shall be considered passing on any written examination. This passing
mark remains valid for a period of one year .
4. How long is the time allotted for the written portion of the Second Class Engineer
examination?
A) 2 hours
B) 3 hours
C) 4 hours
D) 6 hours
, Page 4 of 85
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The time allotted for the written examination is four hours. The exam is given in two
parts: the first part is written and the second part is oral .
5. A Second Class Engineer license in Massachusetts is valid for how many years before
renewal is required?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Massachusetts engineer licenses are good for five years. License holders of all grades
must complete 30 hours of continuing education during the term of the license to renew .
6. How many hours of continuing education are required for renewal of a Massachusetts
Second Class Engineer license?
A) 15 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 25 hours
D) 30 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: License holders of all grades (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class Engineers and Firemen) must
complete 30 hours of continuing education during the term of the license to renew that license .
Massachusetts Second Class Engineer License EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
Massachusetts Second Class Engineer License Exam
200 Practice Questions with Rationales
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Governing Agency – The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS), Division of
Inspection, administers the engineer licensing program under M.G.L. c. 146. The Board
of Boiler Rules adopts the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code .
2. License Scope – A Second Class Engineer is the "Engineer-in-charge" of any boiler,
engine, or turbine not exceeding 150 horsepower each, responsible for daily operation
and maintenance .
3. Experience Requirements – Applicants must have: (a) 2 years operating a steam plant
with at least one 50 HP engine/turbine; OR (b) held a 3rd Class Engineer license for 1
year; OR (c) equivalent license from another state or Merchant Marine for 2 years; OR
(d) 3 years machinist/boilermaker apprenticeship + 1 year steam plant operation; OR (e)
B.S. in Engineering + 1 year steam plant operation .
4. Exam Format – The examination has two parts: (a) a 4-hour written exam requiring
a 70% score to pass; (b) an oral exam conducted by a board of three district engineering
inspectors. An oral exam is recorded and kept on file .
5. Application Requirements – Applicants must be a U.S. citizen (or filed declaration of
intention), 18 or older, provide proof of experience, include a passport-style photo, and
submit a license endorsement from an engineer/fireman holding the same or higher
grade license .
6. License Renewal & CE – Licenses are valid for 5 years and require 30 hours of continuing
education during the term, covering M.G.L. c. 146, steam boiler/turbine operation, and
ASME/NBIC codes .
7. Key Reference Standards – ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section I (Power
Boilers), ASME Section VII (Care of Power Boilers), NBIC, ASME B31.1 Power Piping, and
M.G.L. c. 146 .
8. Pressure & Temperature Fundamentals – 1 psi = 2.31 ft of water column. Critical point
of water: 3206.2 psia at 705.4°F . Saturated water enthalpy at 212°F = 180 Btu/lb .
, Page 2 of 85
9. Combustion Principles – Stoichiometric combustion uses theoretical air only. Oxygen is
20.9% and nitrogen 79.09% of air. Carbon requires 2.67 lbs O₂ per lb burned. Natural gas
theoretical max CO₂ = 11.7–12% .
10. Laws of Thermodynamics – Second Law: No machine can continuously and completely
transform heat into mechanical energy (no 100% efficiency) . Boyle's Law: P₁V₁ = P₂V₂ at
constant temperature. Charles' Law: V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂ at constant pressure .
QUESTIONS 1-200
1. Which Massachusetts agency administers the Second Class Engineer licensing examination?
A) Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
B) Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Division of Inspection
C) Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards
D) Massachusetts Department of Public Safety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS), Division of Inspection,
administers the engineer licensing program under M.G.L. c. 146. The chief and inspectors of the
division act as examiners for applicants for licenses as engineers or firemen .
2. According to Massachusetts regulations, what is the maximum horsepower a Second Class
Engineer may be in charge of?
A) 50 horsepower
B) 100 horsepower
C) 150 horsepower
D) 200 horsepower
, Page 3 of 85
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Second Class Engineer is the "Engineer-in-charge" of any boiler, engine or
turbine not exceeding 150 horsepower each. The engineer is responsible to the owners and
authorities for the daily operation and maintenance of the steam boiler, engines, and/or
turbines .
3. What is the minimum passing score on the written examination for a Second Class Engineer
license?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 146, Section 64 establishes that a mark of
seventy percent (70%) shall be considered passing on any written examination. This passing
mark remains valid for a period of one year .
4. How long is the time allotted for the written portion of the Second Class Engineer
examination?
A) 2 hours
B) 3 hours
C) 4 hours
D) 6 hours
, Page 4 of 85
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The time allotted for the written examination is four hours. The exam is given in two
parts: the first part is written and the second part is oral .
5. A Second Class Engineer license in Massachusetts is valid for how many years before
renewal is required?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Massachusetts engineer licenses are good for five years. License holders of all grades
must complete 30 hours of continuing education during the term of the license to renew .
6. How many hours of continuing education are required for renewal of a Massachusetts
Second Class Engineer license?
A) 15 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 25 hours
D) 30 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: License holders of all grades (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class Engineers and Firemen) must
complete 30 hours of continuing education during the term of the license to renew that license .
