Massachusetts Contractor License Classes & Exam Prep

Contractor Training Center will help you confidently navigate the licensing process for becoming a contractor in Massachusetts. Unlike some states, Massachusetts has two separate credentialing pathways depending on the type of workyou’llbe performing.Here’swhatyou’llneed to do to become a licensed contractor in Massachusetts:

1. Be at least 18 years old 

2. Have a valid Social Security Number or ITIN 

3. Determine which license or registration applies to your work 

• Construction Supervisor License (CSL) 

1. Required for any work that affects the structural integrity of a building (new construction, additions, major alterations, framing, etc.). 
2. Issued by the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS). 
3. Many contractors hold a CSL to pull building permits. 

• Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration 

1. Required for non-structural residential remodeling on existing owner-occupied 1–4 family homes. 
2. Examples: roofing, siding, windows, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, decks, etc. 
3. Issued by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR). 
4. Many residential contractors carry both HIC and CSL to cover a full range of work. 

• Electrical Contractor Licensing (Journeyman → Master Electrician)

1. Administered by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. 
2. Requires completing state-approved classroom training + apprenticeship hours. 
3. Pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam, gain additional experience, then pass the Master Electrician Exam. 
4. A Master Electrician is required to operate an electrical contracting business and pull permits.  

• Plumbing Contractor Licensing (Journeyman Plumber → Master Plumber) 

1. Administered by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. 
2. Requires approved plumbing coursework + supervised on-the-job apprenticeship hours. 
3. Pass the Journeyman Plumber Exam, then gain additional experience before testing for the Master Plumber License. 
4. A Master Plumber is required to run a plumbing business and pull plumbing permits. 

4. Meet Experience Requirements 

5. Pass the Required Exams  

6. Provide Proof of Insurance  For complete requirements about getting licensed in Massachusetts, check out our blog “How to Get a Contractor License in Massachusetts.