Massachusetts contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Massachusetts contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration); Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License)), how to check one online, the license types, and 4,989 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Massachusetts?
| Who licenses them | Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration); Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License) |
|---|---|
| License types | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, Construction Supervisor License (CSL), CSL 1&2 Family Dwellings, CSL specialty (Masonry, Roof Covering, Window and Siding, Demolition, Insulation, Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance) |
| When a license is required | HIC registration required for residential contracting on existing owner-occupied 1-4 unit homes (exempt if total project under $500); written contract required over $1,000; deposit capped at one-third of the contract price or the cost of special-order materials, whichever is greater |
HIC is a registration, not a competency license; the Residential Contractor's Guaranty Fund can pay owners up to $25,000 for an unpaid judgment against a registered contractor (M.G.L. c. 142A, s. 7). Structural work needing a building permit must be supervised by a CSL holder. CSL class names come from 780 CMR 110.R5; the mass.gov page could not be fetched (bot-block).
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Massachusetts?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Massachusetts contractor license lookup run by Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration); Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration); Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License).
What contractor licenses does Massachusetts issue?
- Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration
- Construction Supervisor License (CSL)
- CSL 1&2 Family Dwellings
- CSL specialty (Masonry, Roof Covering, Window and Siding, Demolition, Insulation, Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance)
How do you get a contractor license in Massachusetts?
Licenses are issued by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration); Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (Home Improvement Contractor registration); Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Massachusetts city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Massachusetts?
The Census Bureau counted 4,989 residential remodelers with employees in Massachusetts in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Middlesex County | 1,145 |
|---|---|
| Essex County | 621 |
| Worcester County | 561 |
| Norfolk County | 527 |
| Barnstable County | 443 |
| Plymouth County | 420 |
| Bristol County | 340 |
| Suffolk County | 292 |
What do Massachusetts homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Massachusetts was built in 1963, 37% of households rent and 57% of homes are single-family houses. 52% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity, and 23% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Massachusetts?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Massachusetts licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.