Licensing Guides

State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in Massachusetts

category-iconContractor, MA

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

How Can You Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

Types of General Contractor Licenses in Massachusetts

What Are the Requirements of a Massachusetts Contractor License?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Contractor License Training Programs and Schools

Does Massachusetts Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?

Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Massachusetts?

Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Massachusetts?

National Certifications

Continuing Education

We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They’re often the biggest investments we make in our lives, and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these people to know what they’re doing.

Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Massachusetts employs 7,970 managers and 18,280 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 and 8% for laborers and helpers. In Massachusetts, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers and managers is 8%. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started. 

Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

A contractor license is necessary to perform most construction projects legally in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The law requires that you be a licensed contractor or be working under a licensed contractor to do any projects, including initial construction projects or service or replacement/renovations to existing structures.

The Board of Building Regulations and Standards issues Construction Supervisor Licenses. Home Improvement Contractor Registration is overseen by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Architect licensing is overseen by the Board of Registration of Architects. The Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors grants engineer licenses.

How Can You Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation provides a Home Improvement Contractors guide on its website that outlines the process for registering as a Home Improvement Contractor. You can register as an individual, LLC, LLP, or corporation. If filing under a trade name, you’ll need to provide a copy of the business certificate filed with the city or town clerk where your business is based. If registering as a corporation, you’ll need to provide a current filing with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Corporations Division to document good standing. 

Obtaining a Construction Supervisor License requires three years of experience in building construction or design and passing a licensing exam. Work experience doesn’t need to be continuous, but must be full-time (40 hours per week) within the last 10 years. You can obtain this experience by working as a general laborer under a licensed contractor. 

Successful completion of a three- or four-year vocational high school or other vocational school program in the field of building construction counts toward one year of work experience. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university counts as one year of experience, or two if the degree is in architecture or science, engineering, or technology in a related field. Active construction-related military experience may be considered full-time experience. The Board of Building Regulations and Standards includes application guidelines on its website.

Types of General Contractor Licenses in Massachusetts

The state issues multiple license types, depending on the work you perform. 

  • One- and two-family homes or similar-sized structures require a Licensed Construction Supervisor or a Registered Design Professional (RDP) to oversee construction.

  • Most existing one- to four-family owner-occupied homes require a Licensed Construction Supervisor or an RDP (includes architects and engineers) to oversee construction, as well as the contractor to be a Registered Home Improvement Contractor.

  • For buildings less than 35,000 cubic feet, including manufactured buildings, a Licensed Construction Supervisor or RDP must oversee construction.

  • Buildings larger than 35,000 cubic feet require an RDP to oversee the project. 

To sum it up, a Licensed Construction Supervisor can legally perform commercial or residential (one- and two-family homes) contracting work whether that be initial construction, service or replacement to properties as long as the structure is smaller than 35,000 cubic feet. For work on existing one- to four-family owner-occupied homes, the Licensed Construction Supervisor also needs to be a Registered Home Improvement Contractor. Buildings larger than 35,000 cubic feet require a Registered Design Professional to oversee the project. 

Registering as a Home Improvement Contractor

All contractors and subcontractors who perform home improvement work on an existing one- to four-unit, owner-occupied, residential property in Massachusetts must register as a Home Improvement Contractor, which follows this process. 

APPLY FOR REGISTRATION: Fill out the registration form online or print and download the registration form and submit it in person or mail to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Home Improvement Contractor Program at 1000 Washington St., Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118. If applying as a partnership or corporation, you’ll need to include a federal tax identification number as well as an official document that matches the application information, such as pertinent sections of the Articles of Organization, a current annual report, or registration with the Massachusetts Secretary of State.

PAY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: A registration fee of $150 must accompany the application, as well as a mandatory payment to the Guaranty Fund based on the size of your company:

  • 0-3 employees: $100

  • 4-10 employees: $200

  • 11-30 employees: $300

  • 30+ employees: $500

Getting a Construction Supervisor License

The first step to obtaining a Construction Supervisor License is deciding which type to pursue. There are two Construction Supervisor License classifications and six Specialty Construction Supervisor Licenses. The options include:

  • Unrestricted CSL: Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, buildings and structures for agricultural use, and walls less than 10 feet from base of footing to top.

  • One- and two-family dwelling CSL: Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory.

  • Specialty CSL - Masonry: Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of masonry structures that requires a permit for buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, buildings and structures for agricultural use, and walls less than 10 feet from base of footing to top.

  • Specialty CSL - Roof Covering: Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal of roof covering of buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, and buildings and structures for agricultural use, in addition to replacement of 25% sheathing and 25% of sistering roof rafters.

  • Specialty CSL - Windows, Doors, Siding: Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or removal of doors, windows, and siding for buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, and buildings and structures for agricultural use. Includes repair and replacement of damaged window or door framing less than 4 feet wide and up to 25% of sheathing.

  • Specialty CSL - Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance: Installation of solid fuel-burning appliances in buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, and buildings and structures for agricultural use. 

  • Specialty CSL - Demolition: Demolition only of buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, buildings and structures for agricultural use, and walls less than 10 feet from base of footing to top.

  • Specialty CSL - Insulation: Installation of insulation including repair and replacement of sheathing and siding for buildings of any use less than 35,000 cubic feet, one- and two-family dwellings with any additional accessory, and buildings and structures for agricultural use. 

The process to obtaining a CSL includes: 

APPLY FOR EXAM: Once you’ve completed the three-year experience requirement, you must complete an Exam Registration form and submit it to Prometric at 7941 Corporate Drive, Nottingham, MD 21236. The application must include proof of experience either in the form of W-2s, military discharge documents, 1099 forms, or a notarized letter of attestation in verification of work experience signed by an architect, engineer, licensed construction supervisor, MA certified building official, military supervisor, or other qualified individual.

PAY EXAM FEE: Include a $100 exam fee via cashier’s check, company check, or money order to Prometric. Personal checks are not accepted. You can also use Mastercard, Visa, or American Express to pay by credit card. There’s a space to include card information on the exam application.

SCHEDULE AND TAKE EXAM: Wait 10 days after sending your application so Prometric has time to process it. Then, call Prometric at 800-813-6671 to register for an exam. The exam is intended to test a candidate’s knowledge of the Commonwealth’s Building Code (780 CMR) and general construction practices. For exam prep, the Massachusetts Construction Supervisors Licensing Information Bulletin contains exam outlines for each CSL type. You’re allowed to use the Massachusetts State Building Code and the reference standards identified in the content outline during your exam. You must show government-issued identification to take the exam.

APPLY FOR LICENSE: Upon finishing the exam, you’ll receive a printed score report. If you pass your exam, your score report will include instructions on applying for and obtaining your license. You must submit the application and licensure fee to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) within one year from the date you pass your exam. License fee is $150 for Unrestricted or One- or Two-Family Dwelling, plus $100 for each specialty. 

You can also consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumbing license, or electrical license in Massachusetts.

What Are the Requirements of a Massachusetts Contractor License? 

The license requirements for a contractor in Massachusetts are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right. To that end, there are age, knowledge/experience, and financial prerequisites for the CSL.

  • Must be at least 18 years of age.

  • Must have three years of construction experience.

  • Demonstrate competency by passing all parts of the licensing examinations.

  • Pay all fees.

The Home Improvement Contractor registration requires paying the registration fee and Guaranty Fund payment. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

Obtaining a CSL requires three years of experience. Successful completion of a three- or four-year vocational high school or other vocational school program in the field of building construction counts toward one year of construction work experience. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university counts as one year of experience, or two if the degree is in architecture or science, engineering, or technology in a related field. Active construction-related military experience may be considered full-time experience. 

What Business Owners Need to Know

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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts?

A Home Improvement Contractor Registration requires a fee of $150, as well as a mandatory payment to the Guaranty Fund based on the size of your company:

  • 0-3 employees: $100

  • 4-10 employees: $200

  • 11-30 employees: $300

  • 30+ employees: $500

The CSL requires a $100 exam fee and a $150 license fee for the Unrestricted or One- or Two-Family Dwelling license, plus $100 for each specialty. 

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Massachusetts Contractor License Training Programs and Schools

Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university counts as one year of experience, or two if the degree is in architecture or science, engineering, or technology in a related field. There are many higher education options throughout The Bay State that offer these types of programs. Those schools include: 

There are also manyMassachusetts community colleges throughout the state that offer Construction Management programs and associate degree and certificate options. 

Does Massachusetts Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?

While Massachusetts offers reciprocity agreements for electricians, the state doesn’t hold reciprocal agreements with any other state for general contractor licenses.

Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Massachusetts?

Construction Supervisor Licenses must be renewed every two years, and renewal requires a certain amount of continuing education units, depending on the license type:

  • Unrestricted Construction Supervisor License: 12 hours

  • One- and Two-Family Dwellings: 10 hours

  • Specialty: 6 hours

License renewal notifications will be sent 60 days before license expiration, and the renewal fee is $100 per license type. 

HIC registration must be renewed every two years as well, for a $100 fee.

Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Massachusetts?

Yes, operating without the appropriate license is punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or two years in jail. 

National Certifications

Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money. 

Some of the top construction certifications are:

Continuing Education

Continuing education allows you to stay informed about emerging technology in the industry. CSL renewals require the following amounts of CEUs, depending on license type:

  • Unrestricted: 12 hours

  • One- and Two-Family Dwellings: 10 hours

  • Specialty: 6 hours

The state provides a list of approved coordinators and courses. The following topics are required for renewal:

  • Code Review: 4 hours for unrestricted license; 2 for other license types

  • Workplace Safety: 1 hour

  • Business Practices/Workers’ Compensation: 1 hour

  • Energy: 1 hour (Demolition license excluded)

  • Lead Safe Practices: 1 hour (only required for forest renewal cycle)

For the remaining hours, contractors can take electives of interest.

Resources

You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:

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