Getting your Massachusetts license starts here...
In Massachusetts, contractor licensing and registration is overseen by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI). A license is required for most residential construction and remodeling projects, including the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) for structural work and the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for remodeling and repair. Trades such as electrical and plumbing are licensed through their own state boards. Applicants must document their experience, pass exams (for CSL), and carry liability insurance; many projects also require contractors to maintain surety bonds.
Contractor Licensing Inc. makes it easy to get licensed in Massachusetts. We help contractors determine the right credential, prepare CSL or HIC applications, secure insurance and bonds, and guide you through exam prep so you can start working faster.
👉 Contact us today to begin your Massachusetts Contractor License application!
Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements & Application Help
Massachusetts splits residential contractor licensing into two separate credentials issued by two separate agencies: a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) for structural work, and a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for non-structural work. Many projects need both. Electricians and plumbers are licensed separately again, through the Division of Professional Licensure.
Contractor Licensing Inc. helps you figure out exactly which credential(s) your work requires and handles the application, exam scheduling, and bonding.
Quick Answer
- Structural work needs a Construction Supervisor License (CSL); non-structural work on 1-4 family homes needs a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration. Many jobs need both.
- CSL requires 3 years of experience and a passing exam score. HIC registration has no exam.
- CSL comes in 8 categories: Unrestricted, Restricted (1-2 family), and 6 named specialties.
- Electricians and plumbers are licensed entirely separately, through the Division of Professional Licensure.
- Massachusetts doesn't require a blanket statewide contractor bond — bonds apply in specific local or tax-related situations only.
- Both CSL and HIC renew every 2 years.
CSL vs. HIC: Which One Do You Need?
Construction Supervisor License (CSL)
Issued by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) under 780 CMR (the State Building Code). Required to directly supervise structural work — construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition — on buildings under 35,000 cubic feet, or on any one- or two-family dwelling regardless of size.
Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
Issued by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) under M.G.L. c. 142A. Required for non-structural repairs and improvements — painting, wallpapering, deck repair, and similar work — on existing owner-occupied homes with one to four dwelling units.
The 8 Construction Supervisor License Types
Straight from OPSI's own CSL Candidate Handbook — expand each category to see its exact scope.
Unrestricted CSL
Exam Required
Covers buildings of any use containing less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space, plus one- and two-family dwellings or accessory buildings of any size, and agricultural buildings.
Restricted CSL (One- and Two-Family Only)
Exam Required
Limited to direct supervision of construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition on one- and two-family dwellings or their accessory buildings, regardless of size.
Specialty CSL — Masonry
Exam Required
Fireplaces, chimneys, required-egress masonry stairs, and masonry retaining walls considered a safety threat that retain 4+ feet of material.
Specialty CSL — Roof Covering
Exam Required
Construction, alteration, repair, or removal of roof covering — including repair or replacement of up to 25% of sheathing and 25% of sistering roof rafters.
Specialty CSL — Windows, Doors, Siding
Exam Required
Construction, alteration, repair, or removal of doors, windows, and siding — including repair/replacement of damaged window or door framing under 4 feet wide, and up to 25% of sheathing.
Specialty CSL — Insulation
Exam Required
Installation of insulation, including associated repair and replacement of sheathing and siding.
Specialty CSL — Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances
Exam Required
Installation and related work for solid fuel-burning appliances such as wood stoves and pellet stoves.
Specialty CSL — Demolition
Exam Required
Demolition of structures within the CSL's building-size and dwelling-type scope.
Qualifying for the CSL Exam
Applicants need 3 years of full-time (40 hours/week) building construction or design experience within the last 10 years — the years don't have to be consecutive. Several substitutions can reduce the time needed:
- 3–4 years of high school vocational training = 1 year credit
- Bachelor's degree (any field) = 1 year credit
- Bachelor's degree in architecture, science, engineering, or technology = 2 years credit
- Qualifying active military construction experience = full 3-year credit
What It Costs
| Item | Fee | Renewal Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| CSL Renewal | $100 | Every 2 years |
| CSL Late Renewal (1–2 yrs after expiration) | +$100 | — |
| HIC Guaranty Fund — under 4 employees | $100 | One-time |
| HIC Guaranty Fund — 4 to 10 employees | $200 | One-time |
| HIC Guaranty Fund — 11 to 30 employees | $300 | One-time |
| HIC Guaranty Fund — over 30 employees | $500 | One-time |
The Guaranty Fund fee is charged once per contractor unless the fund administrator determines the fund's balance needs replenishing (M.G.L. c. 142A §11). CSL holders get a discounted HIC certification fee compared to non-CSL applicants.
CSL Renewal Requirements
Unrestricted CSL
12 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle.
Restricted (1&2 Family) CSL
10 hours per 2-year renewal cycle.
Specialty CSL
6 hours per 2-year renewal cycle.
Electrical & Plumbing Contractors
Electrical Contractors
Licensed by the Division of Professional Licensure's Board of State Examiners of Electricians. Requires a master-level electrician on staff as a company officer. Applications submitted through the state's ePLACE portal; the application fee is $221.
Plumbing Contractors
Licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Also requires a master-level plumber as a company officer. Applications and a $150 fee are mailed directly to the Division of Professional Licensure.
Massachusetts Contractor License FAQ
Do I need a contractor license in Massachusetts?
Yes — a CSL for structural work, an HIC registration for non-structural work on 1-4 family homes, or both, depending on the job.
What are the CSL categories?
Unrestricted, Restricted (1&2 family), and 6 specialties: Masonry, Roof Covering, Windows/Doors/Siding, Insulation, Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, and Demolition.
How much experience do I need?
3 years full-time within the last 10 years, with substitutions available for vocational training, a bachelor's degree, or military experience.
Does HIC registration require an exam?
No — it's an online application with no exam. CSL does require passing an exam.
What is the Guaranty Fund fee?
A one-time fee based on employee count: $100 (under 4), $200 (4-10), $300 (11-30), or $500 (30+).
Does Massachusetts require a contractor bond?
No blanket statewide bond — bonds apply in specific cases like the nonresident contractor tax guarantee, or for some local city/district projects.
Board Contact
Office of Public Safety and Inspections
One Federal Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110
Massachusetts Contractor Bonds
Massachusetts doesn't require a blanket statewide contractor bond, but a handful of specific situations do call for one.
| Bond | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Nonresident Contractor Tax Guarantee | Varies | Apply Now |
| Quincy — Contractor Performance | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Needham — Sidewalk Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| Hillcrest Sewer District — General Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
Ready to Get Your Massachusetts Contractor License?
We help you determine whether you need a CSL, an HIC registration, or both, then handle the application, exam scheduling, and bonding.
Call 239-394-2300 Email UsRECIPROCAL STATES
Massachusetts Reciprocity for Electricians
Massachusetts grants reciprocity for Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses with select states that enforce equivalent standards. To qualify, you must hold a valid out-of-state license in good standing and submit a reciprocity application to the Board of State Examiners of Electricians.
- Reciprocity applies only to Journeyman and Master Electricians.
- You must still meet Massachusetts education requirements.
- Some applicants may need to pass the Massachusetts business/law exam.
Learn more at: Apply for Reciprocity – Electricians License (Mass.gov)
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