Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) Requirements (2026)

Massachusetts does not issue a "general contractor" license. Construction supervision is regulated by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) under the Board of Building Regulations and Standards through the Construction Supervisor License (CSL), authorized by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 143 §95 and 780 CMR. The Unrestricted CSL covers any building under 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space; larger structures require an Unrestricted Builder of Buildings designation. Multiple specialty restrictions exist (1&2 Family Dwellings, Residential 1–4 Units, Multifamily, Demolition, Masonry, Roof Covering, Window and Siding, Insulation). A separate Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) is required for any contractor performing residential remodeling work directly for an owner-occupant. Most residential remodelers hold both a CSL and an HIC registration — they are independent credentials with independent renewal cycles.

Governing Authority

Under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 143 §95; 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code), Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections — Board of Building Regulations and Standards (OPSI/BBRS) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. OPSI administers the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) program under the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, enforces the Massachusetts State Building Code, and conducts disciplinary hearings for licensed construction supervisors.

Official portal: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-public-safety-and-inspections
Address: 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 727-3200

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Massachusetts residency requirement.

Good moral character

OPSI conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions, prior license revocations, and unresolved building code violations are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application; OPSI may request a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check.

Disqualifying conditions

Construction fraud or contractor-related larceny within the prior seven years
Unresolved building code enforcement orders

Experience & Education Matrix

Eligibility requires three years (5,500 hours) of documented hands-on construction experience in the building trades, including framing, foundations, fire protection, energy code, and means of egress, documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

OPSI Experience Affidavit signed by each prior employer or supervising CSL holder
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Notarized affidavits from prior supervising contractors where W-2 records are unavailable
Completion certificates from approved trade school or apprenticeship programs

Education substitution

Vocational and technical school coursework in carpentry or building construction may substitute for a portion of the 5,500 hours on a sliding scale set by 780 CMR Chapter 110.R5.

Examination Structure

PSI Services LLC under contract to OPSI runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

Massachusetts CSL Business and Law / Building Code — Unrestricted, 1&2 Family, or specialty restriction — 75 questions, 195 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $100 examination fee paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken by paying a new $100 fee. Each application remains valid for two years from the date OPSI approves the experience affidavit.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

OPSI does not impose a state-level general liability minimum on the CSL itself. Most municipalities and commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Massachusetts under MGL Chapter 152 for any business with one or more employees, including part-time. Sole proprietors with no employees are exempt.

Additional financial requirements

No state-level net worth requirement for the CSL. The HIC registration requires participation in the Guaranty Fund (a $200 fee at registration) which provides up to $10,000 of consumer recovery per claim.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$100
Initial license — sole owner	$150
Initial license — non-sole owner	$150
Renewal (every 2 years)	$100

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) and Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $100. The CSL and the HIC registration renew on independent cycles. The HIC renews every two years for $150.

Continuing education: Twelve hours of approved continuing education each two-year cycle for the Unrestricted CSL; six hours for restricted categories. Topics must include the State Building Code, energy code, lead-safe practices, and workplace safety.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Massachusetts General Contractor License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Massachusetts does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Massachusetts does not offer CSL reciprocity with any state. Out-of-state contractors must document the same 5,500 hours and pass the Massachusetts CSL examination. The HIC registration also has no reciprocity.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares General Contractor license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Choose the CSL category. Unrestricted (any building under 35,000 cubic feet) or a specific restriction such as 1&2 Family Dwellings, Residential 1–4 Units, Demolition, Masonry, Roof Covering, Window and Siding, or Insulation.
Document 5,500 hours of construction experience. Three years of hands-on experience verified by prior employers using the OPSI Experience Affidavit. Hours must include framing, foundations, fire protection, energy code, and means of egress.
Submit the OPSI application and affidavit. File the CSL application with the experience affidavit, application fee, and CORI release form to OPSI in Boston.
Receive examination authorization. OPSI reviews the affidavit and, if approved, issues an exam authorization letter valid for two years.
Schedule and pass the PSI examination at 70%. Open-book exam covering the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR), business and law, and the energy code. Bring the current adopted edition of 780 CMR.
Receive the CSL. OPSI issues the wallet card after the exam is passed and all documentation is complete. The CSL is valid for two years.
Register as a Home Improvement Contractor (if applicable). Any residential remodeling work performed for an owner-occupant requires a separate HIC registration with OCABR, including a $150 application fee and a $200 Guaranty Fund contribution.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with OPSI/BBRS:

☐ OPSI CSL application with $100 fee
☐ Experience Affidavit documenting 5,500 hours over at least three years
☐ CORI release form
☐ PSI Massachusetts CSL exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ HIC registration with OCABR for residential remodeling work ($150 + $200 Guaranty Fund)
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate for any business with one or more employees
☐ Current edition of 780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code for the open-book exam

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code (current edition) — Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License Exam Prep — Contractor Campus / Upstryve. Most widely used study guide for the Unrestricted CSL exam.
International Energy Conservation Code with Massachusetts amendments — ICC. Energy code questions are a significant portion of the CSL exam.

Common Filing Mistakes

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Massachusetts General Contractor application.

Confusing the CSL with the HIC registration

They are independent credentials. A CSL alone does not permit residential remodeling for an owner-occupant; an HIC alone does not permit pulling a building permit. Most residential remodelers need both.

Assuming reciprocity from another state

Massachusetts has zero CSL reciprocity. An out-of-state contractor with twenty years of experience still must document 5,500 hours and pass the Massachusetts exam.

Misjudging the 35,000 cubic foot scope

The Unrestricted CSL is capped at 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space per building. Larger projects require the Unrestricted Builder of Buildings designation, which is a different application.

Skipping the energy code prep

The Massachusetts CSL exam emphasizes the energy code more than most state contractor exams. Candidates who study only the building code routinely fail.

Letting the HIC Guaranty Fund lapse

Failing to maintain the Guaranty Fund contribution voids the HIC registration even if the CSL is current. OCABR enforces this independently from OPSI.

Other Massachusetts Trade Licenses

If the General Contractor license is not the right fit, the following published Massachusetts trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Massachusetts have a general contractor license?

No. Massachusetts uses a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) issued by OPSI under MGL Chapter 143 §95. The Unrestricted CSL authorizes supervision of any building under 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space.

What is the difference between a CSL and an HIC registration?

The CSL is a licensure issued by OPSI authorizing the holder to supervise construction under the State Building Code. The HIC is a registration with OCABR required for any contractor performing residential remodeling for an owner-occupant. Most residential remodelers hold both — they are independent credentials.

How many hours of experience does Massachusetts require for a CSL?

Three years and 5,500 hours of hands-on construction experience documented on the OPSI Experience Affidavit. Vocational and technical coursework can substitute for a portion of the hours.

Does Massachusetts reciprocate the CSL with any other state?

No. There is no CSL reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must document the same experience hours and pass the Massachusetts examination.

How often does the Massachusetts CSL renew?

Every two years. Renewal requires twelve hours of approved continuing education for the Unrestricted CSL (six hours for restricted categories).

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-13 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-11