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Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards · checked 2026-10-20
Massachusetts General contractor License Requirements
A current Construction Supervisor License is required to directly supervise covered building work. The unrestricted license covers buildings under 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space and one- and two-family dwellings. Unrestricted Construction Supervisor: 3 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1CSL-R · Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family) 3 years
- 2CSL-U · Unrestricted Construction Supervisor 3 years
License levels in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts path has 2 steps on this page: Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family) and Unrestricted Construction Supervisor. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSL-R Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family) | 3 years | — | 3 years | Yes, 70% (PSI) | Application $23; Exam $75 |
| CSL-U Unrestricted Construction Supervisor | 3 years | — | 3 years | Yes, 70% (PSI) | Application $23; Exam $75 |
Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family) (CSL-R)
At least three years of experience in building construction or design: 36 months of full-time (40 hours a week) experience within the past ten years. Scope: one- and two-family dwellings and accessory buildings of any size. Source: Mass.gov, CSL candidate handbook.
Unrestricted Construction Supervisor (CSL-U)
The same three years (36 months full-time within ten years); a score of 70 percent or above is required on each exam. Scope: buildings under 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space, plus one- and two-family dwellings. Source: Mass.gov, CSL candidate handbook.
Massachusetts also issues narrower classes on the same page: Specialty CSLs: masonry, roof covering, window and siding, solid fuel burning appliance, demolition, insulation (exam $65).
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family) and Unrestricted Construction Supervisor. Published pass marks: 70% on the restricted construction supervisor (one- and two-family) exam and 70% on the unrestricted construction supervisor exam. Testing vendor named: PSI.
Fees
- Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family): application $23, exam $75 ($98 together).
- Unrestricted Construction Supervisor: application $23, exam $75 ($98 together).
The handbook does not print the license fee itself, only that it is paid to the Division of Occupational Licensure within one year of passing.
Reciprocity
The Massachusetts sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Massachusetts compares
Among the 3 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top general contractor credential, Massachusetts ranks 1 of 3 from shortest (3 years) to longest (4 years). No other state here sets exactly 3 years.
Same trade elsewhere: Connecticut · Rhode Island · California · Florida · Pennsylvania. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.
Other trades in Massachusetts
- Electrician: Master Electrician: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master Plumber: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- HVAC: Refrigeration Technician: 3 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Massachusetts trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the general contractor license in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (Construction Supervisor License). A current Construction Supervisor License is required to directly supervise covered building work. The unrestricted license covers buildings under 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space and one- and two-family dwellings.
How long does it take to qualify for the Unrestricted Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts?
3 years by this site's count. The same three years (36 months full-time within ten years); a score of 70 percent or above is required on each exam.
Does Massachusetts have general contractor license reciprocity?
The Massachusetts sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Massachusetts general contractor license fees?
Restricted Construction Supervisor (one- and two-family): application $23, exam $75. Unrestricted Construction Supervisor: application $23, exam $75.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (Construction Supervisor License) | 2026-10-20 |
| CSL-R requirements | Mass.gov, CSL candidate handbook | 2026-10-20 |
| CSL-U requirements | Mass.gov, CSL candidate handbook | 2026-10-20 |
| Law cited | 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code), as referenced in the CSL handbook | 2026-10-20 |
This page summarises what the Massachusetts source said on 2026-10-20. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.