Massachusetts General Contractor License: Requirements, Costs, and Steps to Get Licensed

Which contractor license do you need in Massachusetts?

Most residential contractors need a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, a Construction Supervisor License (CSL), or both. Massachusetts does not issue a single “general contractor” license, so it helps to know the difference before you apply.

A Home Improvement Contractor registration covers most work on existing owner-occupied homes of one to four units, like remodels, additions, and repairs. If you contract directly with a homeowner, you almost always need to be registered. The state’s guidelines for contractors spell out which jobs are exempt.

A Construction Supervisor License is required to supervise construction that involves the structure of a building, such as framing, or work covered by the state building code. If you pull building permits or oversee structural work, you need a CSL.

Benefits of getting a contractor license in Massachusetts

A license does more than keep you legal. It builds trust with homeowners, opens the door to permits and bigger jobs, and gives your customers real financial protection if something goes wrong.

Here is what a Massachusetts contractor license does for you:

• Credibility and consumer trust. A registered or licensed contractor signals to homeowners that you meet state standards, which makes it easier to win the job over an unlicensed competitor.
• Legal compliance. Working without the right credential can bring a fine of up to $5,000 or up to two years in jail under Massachusetts General Law chapter 142A section 19. A license keeps you on the right side of the law.
• Access to permits and higher-value jobs. A CSL lets you pull building permits and supervise structural work, which unlocks larger, better-paying projects.
• Guaranty Fund protection for your customers. Registered HIC contractors participate in a fund that compensates eligible homeowners up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments, which you can use as a selling point. Learn more about the HIC Guaranty Fund.

How to get a contractors license in MA

The steps you’ll take depend on which credential you need. HIC registration is a short online process, while a CSL requires experience and a passing exam score. Here is how each one works.

Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor license steps

Massachusetts no longer accepts paper applications or checks, so you’ll complete your HIC registration through the MA Contractor Hub.

1. Create an account and start your application on the MA Contractor Hub.
2. Enter your business details and pay the $150 registration fee plus your Guaranty Fund contribution.
3. Submit and wait for approval. Once approved, your HIC card is issued and you can start taking home improvement work.

If you prefer in-person help, the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation offers walk-in support at One Federal Street, Boston. Full details live on the state’s home improvement contractor registration and renewal page.

Construction Supervisor License requirements and steps

To qualify for a CSL, you need to be at least 18 years old and have three years of experience in building construction and structural work within the past 10 years. The state allows education substitutions for part of that experience, such as a related degree or approved coursework.

Follow these steps:

1. Confirm you meet the age and experience requirements. Review the current CSL candidate handbook for details on experience and substitutions.
2. Register for and pass the licensing exam through PSI.
3. Submit your application and fee to the Office of Public Safety and Inspections. Start on the state’s page for how to apply for a construction supervisor license.

Massachusetts CSL exam

The CSL exam is now administered by PSI, and since January 1, 2025, it is based on the 10th Edition of the State Building Code. Testing on the 9th Edition ended December 31, 2024, so make sure your study materials match the current code. You register for a seat through PSI exam registration.

The exam format depends on the license type you want. The table below shows the difference between the unrestricted and restricted exams.

Exam	Who takes it	What it covers
Unrestricted	Applicants seeking the full one- and two-family plus small commercial license	Broader scope of the building code, including structural and small commercial work
Restricted (1&2 Family)	Applicants working only on one- and two-family homes	Building code as it applies to one- and two-family dwellings

The CSL candidate handbook lists the current exam content, number of questions, and passing score.

Does Massachusetts reciprocate contractor licenses?

No—Massachusetts offers no contractor license reciprocity. Neither the HIC registration nor the CSL transfers in from another state, so an out-of-state credential will not count.

How long does it take to get licensed?

Timing depends on the credential. An HIC registration can be ready in days, while a CSL takes years because of the experience requirement.

For HIC registration, your card is issued shortly after the state approves your online application through the MA Contractor Hub. There is no exam, so the main wait is processing time.

For a CSL, the timeline is driven by the three-year experience requirement, plus the time it takes to schedule and pass the exam. Most applicants spend the bulk of that period logging supervised construction experience, then a few weeks studying before they sit for the PSI exam.

How much does a Massachusetts contractor license cost?

Budget for two kinds of costs: the license fees themselves and the insurance you need to operate. Fees are modest, and both credentials renew every two years.

Here are the types of fees you can expect for both your Home Improvement Contractor registration and Construction Supervisor license:

Fee type	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration	Construction Supervisor License (CSL)
Initial registration/license fee	$150 registration fee	$150 license fee
Additional required fee	Guaranty Fund contribution based on number of employees: • 0–3 employees: $100 • 4–10 employees: $200 • 11–30 employees: $300 • More than 30 employees: $500	PSI application fee: $23 PSI exam fee: $75
Renewal Fee	$100 every 2 years	$100 every 2 years
Insurance requirements	Workers’ compensation and other required coverage may apply depending on your business and trade. Contractors must submit the appropriate Massachusetts insurance affidavits.	Workers’ compensation and other required coverage may apply depending on your business and trade. Contractors must submit the appropriate Massachusetts insurance affidavits.

Note: Massachusetts requires proof of workers’ compensation and other coverage for many building trades. Review the state’s insurance affidavits for builders and contractors so you file the correct forms.

Training programs and courses for the CSL exam

You do not have to take a course to sit for the CSL exam, but a good prep program can help you pass on the first try. Several accredited schools in Massachusetts offer exam prep built around the current building code.

Options include exam-prep courses from schools like the Wentworth Institute of Technology, which run classes aimed at the CSL exam. These programs walk you through the 10th Edition of the State Building Code and the topics the exam covers. 

If you already hold a CSL, the same schools often teach the continuing education you need at renewal. The state keeps a current list on its continuing education for construction supervisors page.

Renewing your Massachusetts contractor license

Both credentials renew every two years, but the rules and grace periods differ. Renew early to avoid a lapse that could stop you from working.

For your HIC registration, renew online every two years through the MA Contractor Hub. There is a 30-day grace period after your expiration date, but it is smart to renew 30 to 60 days early so a delay does not interrupt your jobs.

For your CSL, you renew every two years and must complete mandatory continuing education each cycle. The exact hours by license type are listed on the state’s continuing education for construction supervisors page. You get a one-year grace period, and you can renew up to two years late for an extra $100. Start on the renew your construction supervisor license page.

Who issues Massachusetts contractor licenses

Two different state offices handle the two credentials, which is why the applications live in different places. Knowing who to contact saves you time.

1. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) handles Home Improvement Contractor registration. You can get in-person help at One Federal Street, Boston. To confirm a contractor’s standing, use the state’s tool to look up a home improvement contractor.
2. The Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), part of the Division of Occupational Licensure and the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, handles the Construction Supervisor License. Its main office is at One Federal Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110-2012. You can verify a supervisor’s credential with the tool to check a construction supervisor license.

How to start a contracting business in Massachusetts

Getting licensed is step one. To turn your credential into a working business, you also need to register the business, set your prices, and put a system in place to quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid. The state’s guide to starting a business in Massachusetts covers the registration basics.

Once the paperwork is done, the day-to-day work of running jobs is what makes or breaks your income. Knowing how to price a job as a contractor protects your margins, and steady lead generation for contractors keeps your calendar full.

This is where Jobber comes in. Jobber helps you quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid, all in one place, so you spend less time on admin and more time on the job. You can send a branded quote from the driveway, book the work, and collect payment online without chasing checks.

Massachusetts contractor salary and job outlook

Contractors in Massachusetts earn competitive incomes. According to Indeed:

• General contractors earn an average of $32.91 per hour, or $104,570 per year.
• Contractors earn an average of $42.18 per hour, or $87,734 per year.
• Construction managers earn an average of $45.78 per hour, or $102,360 per year.

Your actual earnings depend on your registration or license type, experience, specialization, location, and whether you work for an employer or operate your own contracting business. Contractors who manage larger commercial projects or run established businesses typically have the highest earning potential.

The job outlook is also strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for construction managers to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, reflecting continued demand for experienced construction professionals.

Originally published November 2023. Last updated July 21st, 2026.