Massachusetts General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: Construction Supervisor License (CSL) + Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration · Issued by the CSL: Board of Building Regulations and Standards / Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure). HIC: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR).

🏗️ General ContractorMA ✔ Verified 2026-06-24

In Massachusetts, general contractors must hold the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) + Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration, issued by the CSL: Board of Building Regulations and Standards / Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure). HIC: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Massachusetts

Follow these steps to earn your Construction Supervisor License (CSL) + Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration. Every figure is verified against the CSL: Board of Building Regulations and Standards / Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure). HIC: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. CSL: 3 years (36 months) of full-time building construction/design experience within the past 10 years (up to 2 years substitutable with vocational schooling or a related degree). HIC: no experience requirement (registration).
Pass the CSL Examination (open book, computer-based) exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Massachusetts requires No state surety bond for the CSL. The HIC program uses the state Guaranty Fund (a one-time contractor contribution of $100-$500 by employee count) rather than a surety bond; the fund compensates homeowners up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Neither the CSL nor HIC sets a minimum general-liability amount as a condition of licensure; HIC applicants list their insurance information.).
Clear the background check. Not listed as a condition; the CSL application requires a notarized truthfulness declaration and a Massachusetts tax-compliance attestation.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the CSL: Board of Building Regulations and Standards / Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure). HIC: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) — CSL application fee paid to PSI; HIC registration $150 (OCABR). application fee, plus a CSL license issuance $150 (one $150 fee can cover multiple specialties); HIC: registration fee plus a one-time Guaranty Fund contribution of $100-$500 by employee count. license fee. Processing time: CSL: PSI approval up to about 2 weeks; license processed about 30 days after applying. HIC: processed online via the MA Contractor Hub.
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years (both CSL and HIC), completing CSL: 12 hours per cycle (Unrestricted), 10 (Restricted), 6 (Specialty); max 6 online. HIC: none.

License types

Unrestricted CSL — Supervise buildings under 35,000 cu ft, 1-2 family dwellings (any size) and accessories, farm buildings, and retaining walls under 10 ft.
Restricted CSL (1 & 2 Family) — Supervise only 1- and 2-family dwellings and accessory buildings (any size).
Specialty CSL — Supervise a single specialty (Masonry, Roof Covering, Window & Siding, Solid Fuel Burning Appliance, Demolition, or Insulation).
Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Solicit/bid/perform home improvement work on existing owner-occupied 1-4 unit residences (entity registration; no exam).

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	CSL: 3 years (36 months) of full-time building construction/design experience within the past 10 years (up to 2 years substitutable with vocational schooling or a related degree). HIC: no experience requirement (registration).
Application fee	CSL application fee paid to PSI; HIC registration $150 (OCABR).
License fee	CSL license issuance $150 (one $150 fee can cover multiple specialties); HIC: registration fee plus a one-time Guaranty Fund contribution of $100-$500 by employee count.
Renewal fee	CSL $100 every 2 years; HIC every 2 years.
Renewal period	Every 2 years (both CSL and HIC)
Continuing education	CSL: 12 hours per cycle (Unrestricted), 10 (Restricted), 6 (Specialty); max 6 online. HIC: none.
Bond required	No state surety bond for the CSL. The HIC program uses the state Guaranty Fund (a one-time contractor contribution of $100-$500 by employee count) rather than a surety bond; the fund compensates homeowners up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments.
Liability insurance	Neither the CSL nor HIC sets a minimum general-liability amount as a condition of licensure; HIC applicants list their insurance information.
Property damage	Not separately specified by statute
Workers' comp	Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152)
Background check	Not listed as a condition; the CSL application requires a notarized truthfulness declaration and a Massachusetts tax-compliance attestation.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None for the CSL (Massachusetts does not recognize out-of-state contractor licenses and does not accept NASCLA). HIC: no reciprocity.
Processing time	CSL: PSI approval up to about 2 weeks; license processed about 30 days after applying. HIC: processed online via the MA Contractor Hub.

Exams

CSL Examination (open book, computer-based)	Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% · Fee: Paid to PSI

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Local / municipal notes

In Massachusetts, 'general contractor' is not one license: new/structural construction needs a CSL, and home improvement on existing owner-occupied 1-4 unit homes additionally needs HIC registration (filed at hic.oca.mass.gov). Municipalities may add permit requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Massachusetts general contractor license cost?

Application: CSL application fee paid to PSI; HIC registration $150 (OCABR).. License: CSL license issuance $150 (one $150 fee can cover multiple specialties); HIC: registration fee plus a one-time Guaranty Fund contribution of $100-$500 by employee count.. Renewal: CSL $100 every 2 years; HIC every 2 years..

Do general contractors in Massachusetts need a surety bond?

No state surety bond for the CSL. The HIC program uses the state Guaranty Fund (a one-time contractor contribution of $100-$500 by employee count) rather than a surety bond; the fund compensates homeowners up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments.

What experience is required for a Massachusetts general contractor license?

CSL: 3 years (36 months) of full-time building construction/design experience within the past 10 years (up to 2 years substitutable with vocational schooling or a related degree). HIC: no experience requirement (registration).

Is insurance required for general contractors in Massachusetts?

Liability: Neither the CSL nor HIC sets a minimum general-liability amount as a condition of licensure; HIC applicants list their insurance information. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152)

How often must a Massachusetts general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years (both CSL and HIC). Continuing education: CSL: 12 hours per cycle (Unrestricted), 10 (Restricted), 6 (Specialty); max 6 online. HIC: none.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-24 — always confirm current requirements directly with the CSL: Board of Building Regulations and Standards / Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure). HIC: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) before applying. This is not legal advice.