How to get a general contractor license in Massachusetts
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License); Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration) licenses general contractors in Massachusetts. Home improvement contractor registration is not required when the aggregate contract price for one project is less than $500.
Who licenses general contractor work in Massachusetts
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License); Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search general contractor licenses |
| When a license is needed | Home improvement contractor registration is not required when the aggregate contract price for one project is less than $500. source |
| License types | Construction Supervisor, Construction Supervisor 1 & 2 Family, Construction Supervisor Specialty, Home Improvement Contractor certificate of registration |
How to get licensed
- Apply to Construction Supervisor License for a credential such as Construction Supervisor, Construction Supervisor 1 & 2 Family or Construction Supervisor Specialty.
- Yes, the construction supervisor license requires passing an exam administered by PSI. source
- Experience: construction supervisor license applicants verify 3 years of experience in building construction or design. source
- Pay the home improvement contractor registration fee of $150: $150. source
- Home improvement contractor registration must be renewed every two years. source
General contractor requirements in Massachusetts
| Exam | Yes, the construction supervisor license requires passing an exam administered by PSI. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | Construction supervisor license applicants verify 3 years of experience in building construction or design. source |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. |
| Insurance | Not found on an official source. |
| Renewal | 2 years (Home improvement contractor registration must be renewed every two year). source |
| Reciprocity | Not found on an official source. |
| Fees |
|
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in Massachusetts, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in Massachusetts?
- Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License); Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration) licenses general contractors in Massachusetts. Home improvement contractor registration is not required when the aggregate contract price for one project is less than $500.
- How do I check a general contractor license in Massachusetts?
- The Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License); Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration) keeps the record for general contractors in Massachusetts. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a general contractor license cost in Massachusetts?
- Home improvement contractor registration fee of $150. Guaranty Fund payment of $100 with a new home improvement contractor registration (zero to three employees). Guaranty Fund fee of $200 for a home improvement contractor with four to ten employee. Guaranty Fund fee of $300 for a home improvement contractor with eleven to thirty employee. Guaranty Fund fee of $500 for a home improvement contractor with more than thirty employee. Home improvement contractor registration renewal fee of $100. Construction supervisor license renewal fee of $100.
- How much experience do you need for a general contractor license in Massachusetts?
- Construction supervisor license applicants verify 3 years of experience in building construction or design.
- How often does a general contractor license renew in Massachusetts?
- Home improvement contractor registration must be renewed every two years.
Other trades in Massachusetts
- Electrical license in Massachusetts
- Plumbing license in Massachusetts
- HVAC license in Massachusetts
- Roofing license in Massachusetts
- All Massachusetts trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://www.mass.gov/construction-supervisor-licensing
- https://madpl.mylicense.com/verification/
- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter143/Section94
- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter142A/Section14
- https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-construction-supervisor-license
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/home-improvement-contractor-registration-and-renewal
- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter142A/Section11
- https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-your-construction-supervisor-license-csl
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.