Painter License in Massachusetts - License Required
Use Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) official lookup to confirm an active painter license before signing a contract.
Requirements recorded for this license
Applies paint, stain, and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces
License Type
Painting Contractor License
Requirements at a Glance
Exam Required
No Exam Required
Experience Required
1 year minimum
Surety Bond
No bond required
Liability Insurance
Minimum $100K coverage
Continuing Education
No continuing education required
License Fee
$50-$200
The bond, insurance, and fee figures above reflect an industry-typical baseline for painter licensing, per-state statutory research for this trade is still in progress, so this is not yet a confirmed dollar figure specific to Massachusetts. Confirm the exact current requirement with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) before relying on a specific number.
How to Apply
- 1 Document at least 1 year of relevant work experience
- 2 Purchase general liability insurance with at least $100K coverage
- ✓ Submit application and pay the license fee ($50-$200) to Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR)
Compare Painter Requirements Across States
36 of 51 states require a painter license. See how Massachusetts compares.
View All States for Painter →What the Massachusetts Painter Record Shows
Massachusetts requires painter contractors to hold a Painting Contractor License before performing licensed work. Of 36 US states that license painter work, Massachusetts's regime applies a partial screen, combining some but not all of the exam, bond, and insurance requirements seen in peer states. 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 painter contractors in Massachusetts are: no exam mandate, 1 year of documented work experience, no surety bond, liability insurance with at least $100K in coverage, and no continuing-education mandate. License fees in this classification run $50-$200.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of license do painter contractors need in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires painter contractors to hold a Painting Contractor License. No exam is required. Contact the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) for the most current application process.
How much does a painter license cost in Massachusetts?
License fees for painter contractors in Massachusetts are typically around $50-$200 (an industry-typical baseline; per-state fee research for this trade is still in progress). Additional costs may include exam fees, bonding premiums, and insurance. Fees are subject to change, verify current amounts with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR).
Is insurance required for painter contractors in Massachusetts?
Yes, Massachusetts requires painter contractors to carry liability insurance with a typical minimum coverage of $100K (an industry-typical baseline, not yet a confirmed state-specific figure). Even where not legally required, hiring an insured contractor protects homeowners from liability for on-site accidents.
How do I verify a painter contractor's license in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts offers a free online license verification tool through its licensing board website. You can search by the contractor's name or license number to confirm active status and check for any disciplinary history.
Verify This Contractor
Look up any contractor's license number on Massachusetts's official verification tool.
Verify License Now →Other Trades in Massachusetts
View all trades in Massachusetts →Disclaimer: Requirements shown are from state licensing boards and NCSL. Always verify current requirements directly with Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR).
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
States With Similar Painter Licensing Strictness
Other states that license painter contractors with a similar exam/bond/insurance/CE requirement profile to Massachusetts's.
Every figure on PlainHireCheck is rendered directly from state licensing board source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on state licensing board source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
| Publisher | PlainHireCheck |
| Sources | Public state contractor licensing board records |