General Contractor License in Massachusetts - Exam Required

What the Massachusetts General Contractor Record Shows

Massachusetts requires general contractor contractors to hold a CSL/HIC License before performing licensed work. Of 36 US states that license general contractor work, Massachusetts's regime applies all three primary screens, exam, bond, and insurance, placing it among the more protective jurisdictions for this trade. Licensing is administered through the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), which issues the credential, maintains the public license roster, and adjudicates consumer complaints.

The specific entry requirements for general contractor contractors in Massachusetts are: a qualifying exam, 3 years of documented work experience, a surety bond of $10,000, liability insurance with at least $1000K in coverage, and no continuing-education mandate. License fees in this classification run $200-$400. Additional notes from the licensing board: CSL exam required. HIC registration for $500+ residential.

For homeowners in Massachusetts, verification is straightforward: use Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR)'s official license lookup to confirm the license number is active, matches the contractor's legal business name, and has no disciplinary history attached. Ask for a copy of the license and the certificate of insurance before signing a contract, and request the surety bond provider if bonding is required. If defective work or non-performance occurs, the state complaint process is the formal path to recovery, file promptly, document everything, and retain copies of contracts, invoices, and correspondence.