Massachusetts Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Massachusetts does not license masonry as a trade. Masonry contractors performing residential work in 1- to 4-family owner-occupied dwellings must register as Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) under M.G.L. c.142A. There is no exam for HIC registration but contractors must contribute to the Guaranty Fund and use the mandatory MA HIC contract form. Larger structural masonry on new construction or commercial work requires the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) issued by the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections (DPS), which does include an exam. This page documents both pathways including OSHA silica enforcement.

The Licensing Authority

Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections — Board of Building Regulations and Standards (OPSI/BBRS) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 143 §95; 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code). 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

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Massachusetts residency requirement; out-of-state entities must register with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Good moral character

OCABR reviews prior license discipline and consumer complaints. Felonies may bar issuance.

Background investigation

Self-disclosure of criminal history on the HIC registration application.

Experience and Education Requirements

The cited source set does not publish a fixed year-based experience threshold for this credential. The controlling requirement is No state experience requirement for HIC registration. Construction Supervisor License (CSL) requires three years of building construction experience..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

For CSL only: experience affidavit signed by licensed CSL or CS-Restricted holders
Project list with permit numbers and addresses

The Licensing Examination

No exam for HIC; PSI under contract to DPS for CSL administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) Examination — 780 CMR (MA Building Code), masonry, business and law — 75 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $100 PSI exam fee for CSL; no fee for HIC registration.

Retake policy: Failed CSL exams may be retaken after 30 days. HIC registration has no exam.

Financial Security and Insurance

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

No state minimum, but most owners and prime contractors require $1,000,000 per occurrence GL.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under M.G.L. c.152 §25A for any Massachusetts employer with one or more employees (zero exemption for construction). Masonry NCCI 5022 is one of the highest manual rates in Massachusetts.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement. Annual contribution to the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund ($100/year) is mandatory at HIC registration.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$150
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every 2 years)	$150

License Renewal

The Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — OCABR must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $150. Massachusetts HIC registration renews every two years. CSL renews every two years with continuing education. Maintain Guaranty Fund and insurance continuously.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Massachusetts grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

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

Massachusetts has no reciprocity for masonry contractors. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut contractors must register independently.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Form a Massachusetts or foreign entity. Register your LLC or corporation with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth and obtain a Massachusetts tax ID.
Bind GL and workers compensation. Bind GL ($1M+ practical) and workers comp for any employees (zero exemption for construction).
Submit OCABR HIC registration. File the HIC registration with $150 fee and $100 Guaranty Fund contribution.
Use MA HIC contract form. M.G.L. c.142A §2 mandates written contracts on residential masonry work over $1,000 with three-day right of rescission and specific disclosures.
Obtain CSL (commercial or new construction). For new home construction or commercial masonry, additionally pass the PSI CSL exam covering 780 CMR.
Pull project permits at the AHJ. Local building inspectors require permits for masonry on permitted projects; the CSL holder of record must be on each permit.
Implement OSHA silica program. Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in Massachusetts; written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory on every masonry job.

Preparation Resources

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code (with MA amendments to IBC Chapter 21) — Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards. Required reference for the CSL exam — Massachusetts amendments are stricter than base IBC.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under 780 CMR.
M.G.L. c.142A Home Improvement Contractor Act — Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Required reading for the HIC contract form requirements.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to OPSI/BBRS:

☐ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth entity registration
☐ EIN and Massachusetts Department of Revenue tax account
☐ GL insurance certificate ($1M+ practical)
☐ Workers compensation certificate (zero exemption for construction)
☐ OCABR HIC registration with $150 fee + $100 Guaranty Fund
☐ CSL (if new construction or commercial)
☐ M.G.L. c.142A §2 compliant contract template
☐ OSHA silica written exposure control plan

Common Application Pitfalls

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Massachusetts Masonry application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Non-compliant contract form

M.G.L. c.142A §2 contracts without three-day rescission and required disclosures cannot be enforced. Contractors lose disputes in Massachusetts court routinely over this.

HIC vs CSL confusion

HIC covers residential remodeling on owner-occupied 1-4 family. New construction, commercial, and condo work require CSL. Operating outside HIC scope without CSL is unlicensed.

Workers comp zero-exemption trap

Massachusetts construction has no sole proprietor or family-member exemption. All employees and subs require workers comp coverage.

Anchored veneer ties wrong gauge

Massachusetts freeze-thaw and coastal wind require corrosion-resistant ties at 780 CMR / TMS 402 spacing; Boston, Worcester, and Cape Cod inspectors fail jobs with non-compliant ties.

Silica plan absent

OSHA targets Boston, Worcester, and Springfield masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations.

Other Massachusetts Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Massachusetts trades; the published ones are listed here:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Massachusetts require a masonry trade exam?

No for HIC registration. Yes for the Construction Supervisor License (CSL), which is required for new home construction and most commercial masonry.

What is the Guaranty Fund?

The Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund compensates homeowners for losses caused by registered contractors. Annual $100 contribution is mandatory.

Is there a contract form requirement?

Yes. M.G.L. c.142A §2 mandates a written contract on every residential masonry job over $1,000 with three-day right of rescission. Non-compliant contracts cannot be enforced.

When do I need a CSL?

New home construction, work on structures other than 1-4 family owner-occupied, and structural masonry above $1,000 require the CSL on the building permit.

Does Massachusetts enforce OSHA silica?

Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in Massachusetts. Written exposure control plan is mandatory for masonry cutting, grinding, and mixing.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-10 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-08