Welcome to the website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. We appreciate your visit to our homepage and we look forward to assisting you.
Although our building in Gardiner, Maine is not open to the public due to the COVID-19 health emergency, our staff remains available to resolve your complaints, answer your questions, and continue to deliver high-quality services to consumers and regulated industries.
Please contact us by email or by phone or through our other online services, and we will assist you.
You may follow this link to the Secretary of State's office to view a list of board members. Members of the public should not contact board members with questions or comments. All questions, comments or any other board-related matters must be directed to the Board’s manager. (Matthew.S.Kaply@maine.gov 207-624-8605)
Purpose
The Maine Fuel Board was established to oversee and protect the public through the regulation of propane and natural gas, oil and solid fuel burner technicians and related equipment in Maine.
The primary responsibilities of the Board are to examine and license qualified applicants for licensure in the categories of Master Oil Burner and/or Solid Fuel Technician, Journeyman Oil Burner and/or Solid Fuel Technician, Apprentice Oil Burner and/or Solid Fuel Technician, Propane and Natural Gas Technicians, Limited Propane Energy Auditors, Limited Oil Energy Auditors, Limited Tank Installers and Limited Wood Pellet Technicians; to establish and maintain required board standards for safety, to investigate all complaints of noncompliance or violations of board law or rules, and to recommend suspension or revocation or refuse to renew licenses after proper notice and hearing.
Staff Announcements
Free Code Update Training
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/maine-fuel-board-53861760443
Rulemaking
Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal, Chapters 1-14 (PDF)
Maine Fuel Board Rules Chapters 1 - 14
The Maine Fuel Board has proposed revisions to Chapters 1-14 of its rules. Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to the Regulatory Board Manager by emailing fuel.board@maine.gov or by mailing comments to the Maine Fuel Board, Attn: Matthew Kaply, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035. The deadline for comments is Friday, April 10, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.
The principal reason for the proposed rules are to reflect statutory changes, add clarity to the phrasing and structure of the rules, and adopt updated codes and standards.
Full Text of Chapters 1-14 (PDF)
Maine Fuel Board 2023 PHCC Expo PowerPoint Presentation
2023 Code Update PowerPoint (PDF)
Fuel Board Licensing FAQs (PDF)
Maine Fuel Board announces a staff promotion and new inspector
The Maine Fuel Board announces that Dale Hersey has been promoted to the Senior Fuel Inspector position. Dale previously served as Fuel Inspector in the Office of Professional and Occupational from 2001 until his promotion in January 2022. He brings an extensive fuel knowledge base and vast experience to the position from his 30+ years as an oil, solid fuel and gas technician. In addition to supervising three fuel inspectors, Dale covers Waldo, Piscataquis and Penobscot (south of Lincoln) counties. He can be reached on his cell phone at 207-592-5864 or by email at dale.d.hersey@maine.gov.
The Maine Fuel Board would like to welcome Paul Moody back to the fuel team in the position of Fuel Inspector. Paul retired from the team in 2010 and rejoined the team in April 2022. He brings almost 50 years of experience as a fuel technician and inspector. Prior to his retirement in 2010, Paul worked as a State Plumbing Inspector, Oil Burner Inspector and then as Senior Fuel Inspector. Because of his vast experience in various trades, Paul’s return to the Fuel team was welcomed enthusiastically. His coverage area is York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties. He can be reached on his cell phone at 207-446-2826 or by email at paul.w.moody@maine.gov.
New Fuel Gas Detection Law
For information on the fuel gas detection law that became effective 1/1/2022 please read the attached notice Gas Detection Law (PDF). The Maine Fuel Board does not have jurisdiction over this law. If you have any questions please contact the Fire Marshal's office at (207) 626-3870 or visit the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Updated Guidance and Retiring of Covid-19 Prevention Checklists, May 26, 2021 (PDF)
Notice Regarding License Verification Requests (PDF)
Effective March 1, 2019, the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) will no longer issue paper license verifications. License verifications are available, free of charge, on OPOR’s official database, https://www.pfr.maine.gov/ALMSOnline/ALMSQuery/Welcome.aspx?board=4320.This database is updated in real time as changes occur. The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation considers this information to be a secure, primary source for license verification.
2020 GAS EXAMINATION REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
Beginning January 1, 2020 all individuals for propane and natural gas licensure are first required to submit an examination application, receive board-approval to sit for examination, sit for and pass a Maine Fuel Board propane and gas examination prior to applying for a license pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 18135(2).
Please note pursuant to Maine Fuel Board Rules Chapter 4, 4.13.2 “Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant together with any attachments.” Applicants cannot be considered for examination without a complete application including all CETP certificates and an Onboard Transcript detailing completion of the requisite modules.
Information and Resources
Examination Information
The Maine Fuel Board has contracted with PROV, Inc. to provide its examinations for approved candidates. The Candidate Information Bulletin (PDF) helps explain the rules and processes candidates will need to undertake to complete the testing requirements for their professional licenses.
CETP Certification and Examination Requirements
All applications for examination as a propane and natural gas technician must be accompanied with the appropriate certificates and transcript. Please view the following curriculum map for certificate requisites for each authority: CETP CERTIFICATION INFORMATION (PDF)
PHCC Maine Fuel Board PowerPoint Presentations
License Delivery
Licenses and other communications from the Maine Fuel Board will be sent to you by email, so please be sure to keep your contact information current. Follow this link to verify your contact information.
*Depending on your email security settings communications from the board, including licenses, may be directed to your junk/spam folders. Please be sure to check these folders for board communications from noreply@maine.gov.*
License Descriptions
License descriptions and how to apply for a license
Veterans Preference Policy (adopted February 2017)
MILITARY EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation wants to make sure that individuals who have military experience and training and who wish to obtain an oil and solid fuel or propane and natural gas technician's license receive appropriate credit for their military training and experience. If you have military experience and training in the oil, solid fuel, propane and natural gas field and want to become licensed in Maine as a Master or Journeyman Oil and Solid Fuel Technician or a Propane and Natural Gas Technician, please contact Matt Kaply via email at matthew.s.kaply@maine.gov by telephone at 207-624-8605 or email the office before submitting an application. We will explain the application process and assist you in preparing your application for licensure.
Pellet Authority Education Course and Test
Pellet Authority Education Course (PDF)
Pellet Authority Test and Application (PDF)
Information about the Electrical Installation for Mini-Split Heat Pumps:
Consumer Information about the Electrical Installation for Mini-Split Heat Pumps (PDF)
Installers Information about the Electrical Installation for Mini-Split Heat Pumps (PDF)
Memorandum of Understanding for the Installation of Mini-Split Heat Pumps:
Click here for the Memorandum of Understanding Document (PDF)
Requirement to Report Convictions and Changes of Contact Information Within 10 Days of the Occurrence
The Maine State Bureau of Identification contains an online site to provide electronic access to request criminal history records maintained by the Maine State Police, State Bureau of Identification. This records search will provide you with all conviction and adjudication information for crimes committed within the State of Maine that the Bureau of Identification currently has on record, as well as pending cases less than one year old.
Laws and Rules
Current pdf copy of Maine Fuel Board laws and rules (PDF)
List of Fuel Dealers registered to offer pre-paid home heating contracts (PDF)
Rulemaking
Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal, Chapters 1-14 (PDF)
Maine Fuel Board Rules Chapters 1 - 14
The Maine Fuel Board has proposed revisions to Chapters 1-14 of its rules. Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to the Regulatory Board Manager by emailing fuel.board@maine.gov or by mailing comments to the Maine Fuel Board, Attn: Matthew Kaply, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035. The deadline for comments is Friday, April 10, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.
The principal reason for the proposed rules are to reflect statutory changes, add clarity to the phrasing and structure of the rules, and adopt updated codes and standards.
Full Text of Chapters 1-14 (PDF)
Informational
- State of Maine Fuel Inspector County Assignments (PDF)
- Oil and/or Solid Fuel Apprentice Renewals - If you are a licensed apprentice, you will not be able to renew your license if you do not have a supervising master on file. It is the Master's responsibility to notify the Board when they become your supervising Master and when they cease to provide supervision to you. Click HERE to complete an online Master Supervision Notification Form and choose the option "Notification of Master Supervision/Nonsupervision".
- Chimney or Fireplace Disclosure Form (PDF)