Massachusetts Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: Construction Supervisor License (CSL) — Specialty: Roof Covering (+ HIC Registration for residential work) · 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).

🏠 RooferMA ✔ Verified 2026-06-24

In Massachusetts, roofers must hold the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) — Specialty: Roof Covering (+ HIC Registration for residential work), 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 roofer in Massachusetts

Follow these steps to earn your Construction Supervisor License (CSL) — Specialty: Roof Covering (+ HIC Registration for residential work). 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.
Pass the CSL Specialty Roof Covering Exam (open book) 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 $100-$500 contribution by employee count; up to $25,000 consumer payout) rather than a surety bond.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (No statutory minimum general-liability amount for the CSL or HIC; HIC applicants list their insurance information.).
Clear the background check. Not listed as a condition of the CSL or HIC.
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; 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 Specialty (Roof Covering): 6 hours per 2-year cycle. HIC: none.

License types

Specialty CSL — Roof Covering — Install, alter, repair, or remove roof coverings (does not cover structural roof elements).
Unrestricted or Restricted CSL — Broader supervision that already includes roofing within its scope.
Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Required for re-roofing on existing owner-occupied 1-4 unit residences.

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.
Application fee	CSL application fee paid to PSI; HIC registration $150 (OCABR).
License fee	CSL license issuance $150; 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 Specialty (Roof Covering): 6 hours per 2-year cycle. HIC: none.
Bond required	No state surety bond for the CSL. The HIC program uses the state Guaranty Fund (a one-time $100-$500 contribution by employee count; up to $25,000 consumer payout) rather than a surety bond.
Liability insurance	No statutory minimum general-liability amount for the CSL or HIC; 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 of the CSL or HIC.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	No reciprocity for the CSL; no NASCLA acceptance. 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 Specialty Roof Covering Exam (open book)	Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% (25 of 35 questions) · Fee: Paid to PSI

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Local / municipal notes

There is no standalone roofer license in Massachusetts. Roofing is supervised under the CSL Specialty (Roof Covering) — or a broader Unrestricted/Restricted CSL — and residential re-roofing additionally requires HIC registration. Municipalities may add permit requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Massachusetts roofer license cost?

Application: CSL application fee paid to PSI; HIC registration $150 (OCABR).. License: CSL license issuance $150; 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 roofers in Massachusetts need a surety bond?

No state surety bond for the CSL. The HIC program uses the state Guaranty Fund (a one-time $100-$500 contribution by employee count; up to $25,000 consumer payout) rather than a surety bond.

What experience is required for a Massachusetts roofer 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.

Is insurance required for roofers in Massachusetts?

Liability: No statutory minimum general-liability amount for the CSL or HIC; HIC applicants list their insurance information. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152)

How often must a Massachusetts roofer license be renewed?

Every 2 years (both CSL and HIC). Continuing education: CSL Specialty (Roof Covering): 6 hours per 2-year cycle. 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.