Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Lookup: Verify the HIC Business, CSL Supervisor & Project Permit
Massachusetts does not have one single “general contractor license lookup” that answers every residential remodeling question. For an existing owner-occupied 1–4 family home, you may need to verify the Home Improvement Contractor registration (HIC), an individual Construction Supervisor License (CSL), separately licensed electrical/plumbing/gas work, and the local building permit.
This guide shows exactly which official Massachusetts link to open, what button or field to use after opening it, how to interpret the result, what to do if no contractor appears, how local permits work, which consumer protections depend on HIC registration, and which 2026 home-improvement incentives may reduce project cost.
The Most Important Answer: HIC and CSL Are Different
Massachusetts HIC Lookup: Exact MA Contractor Hub Search Steps
Use the HIC lookup for the business or contractor that will solicit, bid on, sign or perform covered residential home-improvement work.
Open the official link → do this next
- Open the official MA Contractor Hub Contractor Search.
- Start with the exact HIC registration number printed on the proposal, contract or advertisement.
- If you do not have the HIC number, search the business name.
- Open the exact result rather than relying only on the search-results row.
- Confirm the registered business / responsible-party details match the company offering the project.
- Read the current registration status and expiration information.
- Review the public disciplinary / complaint / arbitration / Guaranty Fund information displayed in the Hub.
- Compare the HIC business name with the signed contract, invoice and requested payment recipient.
- Save the HIC number and date of your search.
- Recheck the live record immediately before signing if significant time passes.
Registration status
A record existing does not prove current registration. Confirm the status is valid for the date the contract will be signed.
Business identity
The company on the HIC record should connect clearly with the entity shown on the estimate, contract, invoice and payment instructions.
Public history
Review the result and disposition of any public matter. A filed complaint is not automatically proof that the contractor violated the law.
No HIC Record Found? Check These Issues Before Hiring
- Confirm the number is an HIC registration number, not a CSL number, permit number, corporate ID or electrical/plumbing license.
- Search the underlying legal business name instead of a marketing/DBA name.
- Ask whether the business recently changed names.
- Confirm that the work is actually within the HIC law and not one of its specific exemptions.
- If the contractor says registration is “pending,” do not represent pending registration as active registration.
Check the business identity separately
- Open the Massachusetts Corporations Search.
- Use Entity Name if the contractor is an LLC, corporation, LLP or similar registered entity.
- Search the legal company name from the HIC record.
- Open the entity summary.
- Compare the entity name and relevant filing information with the HIC business.
- Do not treat corporate registration as a substitute for HIC registration.
Massachusetts CSL Lookup: Verify the Individual Construction Supervisor
A Construction Supervisor License is issued to an individual. For applicable construction, verify the actual supervisor identified for the permit/project—not merely the company owner.
Official CSL search → what to do after opening
- Open OPSI’s “Check a License” page.
- Go to the Online section and open the License Verification Site.
- Select the appropriate individual-license search.
- Narrow profession/license type to Construction Supervisor when needed.
- Search the exact CSL license number if you have it.
- Otherwise search the supervisor’s name and refine with city/state/status information.
- Open the individual record.
- Check status, license type and expiration.
- Compare that person with the construction supervisor named on the building permit/project documents.
HIC + CSL + Permit Match Helper
Use this only after checking Massachusetts government records.
HIC vs CSL vs Trade License vs Building Permit
| Record | What it regulates | Use it to answer | It does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIC Registration | Covered residential home-improvement contracting business. | Is the company registered under Chapter 142A for covered HIC work? | CSL, trade license or permit. |
| CSL | Individual supervision of covered building construction. | Is the individual qualified to supervise under this CSL category? | The contracting company has HIC registration. |
| Electrician / Plumber / Gas / other professional license | Work reserved to separately licensed trades. | Is the individual/business licensed for the regulated trade? | HIC registration for general residential contracting. |
| Building Permit | A specific project and address. | Was the project approved for construction and inspections? | Current HIC/CSL status today. |
| Secretary business record | LLC/corporation/entity filing. | Does the legal business entity exist in the state record? | Contractor authorization. |
Common Massachusetts Projects: Which Credentials Usually Matter?
Massachusetts publishes a live HIC/CSL/building-permit matrix. The exact project and local building official control.
| Work | CSL | HIC | Permit | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural carpentry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Typical all-three verification project. |
| New deck | Yes | Yes | Yes | Different from ordinary repair of existing decking. |
| Exterior painting | No | Yes | Generally no | Pre-1978 lead-safe renovation requirements may apply. |
| Interior painting | No | Generally exempt | Generally no | Lead-safe rules can still apply to paid renovation in pre-1978 housing. |
| Roof replacement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Roof Covering specialty CSL can satisfy appropriate scope. |
| Window replacement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Window/Door/Siding specialty CSL can apply. |
| Siding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Lead-safe requirements can be significant on older homes. |
| Insulation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mass Save eligibility may affect contractor/project route. |
| Structural flooring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Different from finish flooring. |
| Finish carpet / tile / nonstructural flooring | Generally no | Statutory exemption can apply | Project-specific | Fire-resistance requirements in multi-unit work can change permit analysis. |
| Solar panels | Yes | Yes | Yes | Electrical license and utility/interconnection rules also matter. |
| Above-ground pool | Generally no | Exempt category | Yes in state matrix | Local safety/barrier requirements apply. |
| In-ground pool | Matrix says no | Yes | Yes | Local building/electrical requirements remain important. |
| Driveway | No | Statutory exemption | State matrix says no | Local curb-cut/zoning/public-way approval may still be required. |
Massachusetts HIC Exemptions: The $500 Rule Is Not the Only Exemption
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 142A §14 and current 201 CMR 18 list specific exemptions.
One undertaking under $500
A contractor/subcontractor can be exempt for one residential contracting undertaking where the aggregate contract price is less than $500, provided the job is not split below $500 to evade Chapter 142A.
Part-time / less than $5,000 gross
A person engaged other than full-time who earned less than $5,000 in gross residential-contracting revenue in the prior 12-month period can fall within the statutory exemption.
Other important HIC exemptions
- Owner personally doing residential contracting work on the owner’s own home.
- Employee performing labor for wages/salary without acting as contractor/subcontractor.
- Licensed electricians, plumbers, architects and other qualifying professionals acting exclusively within their licensed profession—construction supervisors are specifically treated differently.
- Landscaping.
- Interior painting / wall covering.
- Specified finished floor covering.
- Fencing / freestanding masonry walls.
- Above-ground pools.
- Shutters / awnings.
- Ground-level patios.
- Asphalt and driveway installation/maintenance.
- Specified utility-approved energy-conservation/HVAC work.
The Five-Record Massachusetts Contractor Verification Stack
HIC record
Verify the contracting business through the MA Contractor Hub when HIC registration applies.
CSL / trade license
Verify the construction supervisor and separately regulated electrician/plumber/gas/other professional licenses required for the project.
Legal business record
For an LLC/corporation, compare the Secretary of the Commonwealth entity record with the HIC contracting business.
Workers’ compensation
Check the Massachusetts workers’ compensation search when coverage matters. A no-result search does not always prove absence of coverage because alternate/self-insured arrangements can exist.
Project permit / inspection record
Verify the building/trade permit directly with the municipality serving the property address.
Workers’ compensation lookup → next steps
- Open “Check for workers’ compensation insurance”.
- Choose the online verification service.
- Enter the business name, city/town and ZIP.
- Match the employer name to the contractor.
- If no record appears but the contractor claims coverage, do not assume fraud; Massachusetts notes coverage may exist under another business name, self-insurance or a self-insurance group.
- For assistance, call the Department of Industrial Accidents Office of Insurance at 617-626-5480 or 617-626-5481.
Electrical, Plumbing and Other Massachusetts Trade-License Checks
A general remodel can involve several separately regulated trades. The HIC/CSL record does not replace those licenses.
Use the Massachusetts DOL license directory
- Open Division of Occupational Licensure: Check a License.
- Identify the relevant profession/board—for example electricians, plumbers/gasfitters or another regulated occupation.
- Follow the page to the current platform. Massachusetts is migrating multiple boards to eLIPSE, while some records remain routed through other portals.
- Search the individual/business license.
- Check exact license type and status.
- Compare the licensed person/business with the trade permit and project paperwork.
Pre-1978 Renovation? Add a Lead-Safe Renovation Contractor Check
Paid renovation, repair or painting in pre-1978 housing can trigger Massachusetts lead-safe renovation requirements when painted-surface disturbance exceeds the regulatory thresholds.
Lead-safe verification → what to do
- Confirm the property’s year built.
- Open Lead-Safe Renovation for Homeowners.
- Determine whether the project is ordinary renovation/repair/painting or actual deleading intended to achieve lead-law compliance.
- Open the linked Find a licensed lead-safe renovation contractor service.
- Search the company that will disturb painted surfaces.
- Confirm the license is current.
- Ask who the certified LSR supervisor will be.
- Use the official property-owner checklist to track required lead-safe practices.
Renovation or Demolition: Check Asbestos Before Disturbing Suspect Materials
Older Massachusetts buildings can contain asbestos in flooring, mastic, pipe insulation, plaster/joint compound, roofing and other materials.
Check an asbestos project / notification
- Open MassDEP Asbestos Project Lookup.
- Search by property address, community, project ID or notifier.
- Compare the notification address and project dates with the renovation.
- If planned work could disturb suspect material, use MassDEP/DLS guidance before demolition begins.
- Massachusetts generally requires relevant asbestos-removal notifications at least 10 working days before covered abatement work.
How to Register as a Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor
Confirm HIC registration is required
Check the property type, work type and Chapter 142A exemptions before applying.
Choose the applicant type
Massachusetts accepts relevant individual/proprietorship, partnership and corporation/business structures.
Prepare DBA / entity documents
If using a trade name, prepare the city/town business certificate. Out-of-state corporations/LLCs must complete applicable Massachusetts foreign-entity registration first.
Designate one Responsible Person
The current MA Contractor Hub contractor guide requires one Responsible Person for each HIC registration.
Create / connect MyMassGov
New applicants create an account. Returning contractors should use the email associated with the existing HIC record so the Hub can connect correctly.
Submit the application
Complete business/responsible-person details and upload required supporting documents.
Pay after approval
The current Contractor Hub guide states registration fees are paid after application approval, and the HIC becomes active after payment is received.
Verify public activation
After payment, search the HIC number through the public Contractor Search and confirm active status before contracting.
MA Contractor Hub → exact next clicks
- Open Contractor Login.
- Continue through MyMassGov.
- For a new business/HIC number, choose the new-registration route.
- For an existing HIC, use the connected registration/account action.
- Complete Responsible Person and business information.
- Upload trade-name/entity documents when required.
- Submit the application.
- After approval, complete electronic payment by the options supported in the Hub.
- Generate the digital HIC registration card after activation.
Massachusetts HIC Registration Cost & Renewal
| Item | Current Massachusetts amount / rule |
|---|---|
| Initial HIC registration | $150 |
| Guaranty Fund — 0–3 employees | $100 |
| Guaranty Fund — 4–10 employees | $200 |
| Guaranty Fund — 11–30 employees | $300 |
| Guaranty Fund — more than 30 | $500 |
| Registration term | 2 years |
| On-time renewal | $100 plus outstanding account balance if applicable |
| Supplemental card | $10 |
| Duplicate card | No charge under current instructions |
Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License: 2026 Application, PSI Exam & Experience
The current February 2026 Massachusetts CSL Candidate Handbook controls the current exam-stage process. CSL testing has used the 10th Edition Massachusetts Building Code framework since January 1, 2025.
Current exam eligibility
- Applicant must be at least 18 at the time of examination.
- At least three years of qualifying building construction or design experience.
- Experience must be documented.
- Current handbook describes 36 months of full-time experience generally within the past 10 years.
- Specified vocational/college education can substitute for part of the experience requirement.
- Education can account for a maximum of two years under the current handbook rules.
- Relevant active military construction experience may be considered.
Current PSI exam-stage fees
| Fee | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| PSI application fee | $23 |
| Restricted CSL examination | $75 |
| Unrestricted CSL examination | $75 |
| Other CSL examinations | $65 |
PSI / CSL application → what to do
- Open Apply for a Construction Supervisor License.
- Open the current CSL Candidate Handbook.
- Choose the exact license category before registering.
- Prepare tax forms, qualifying experience evidence or the accepted attestation documents described by the current handbook.
- Use the PSI exam-registration link from the Massachusetts page.
- Select View Available Tests, then the exact Massachusetts CSL test.
- Create/sign into the PSI account.
- Upload eligibility documentation.
- Current handbook says review/approval can take up to about two weeks.
- After PSI approval, pay and schedule the examination.
- Prepare only the reference books/materials permitted by the current handbook.
- Score 70% or higher to pass.
- After passing, use the score-report instructions to apply/pay for license issuance.
- The current handbook says license paperwork/fee must be submitted within one year of passing the exam.
Which Massachusetts CSL Type Fits the Work?
| CSL | Published scope starting point |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Construction / reconstruction / alteration / repair / removal / demolition for applicable buildings under 35,000 cubic feet plus specified 1–2 family/agricultural/wall work. |
| Restricted 1–2 Family | Applicable work on one- and two-family dwellings and associated structures. |
| Masonry Specialty | Permitted masonry work within specialty/building limits. |
| Roof Covering Specialty | Roof-covering installation, alteration, repair/removal plus limited related sheathing/rafter scope. |
| Window / Door / Siding Specialty | Specified window, door and siding work within published specialty limits. |
| Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance | Specified installation/alteration/repair/removal of solid-fuel appliances. |
| Demolition Specialty | Demolition-only specialty work within published building limits. |
| Insulation Specialty | Insulation plus related limited sheathing/siding scope. |
Massachusetts CSL Renewal, CE & Late Renewal
| CSL category | CE every 2-year cycle | Renewal fee |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | 12 hours | $100 |
| Restricted | 10 hours | $100 |
| Specialty | 6 hours | $100 |
Renew CSL → exact sequence
- Complete required continuing education.
- Open Renew Your CSL.
- Use the current online licensing route.
- Upload required CE/supporting documents.
- Pay the $100 renewal fee.
- After renewal, verify the renewed CSL in the public lookup.
Expired CSL
Massachusetts Home Improvement Contract: Required Terms, Deposit & Permit Language
Contract audit checklist
- Complete agreement plus incorporated documents.
- Full legal names and physical addresses of parties.
- Contractor HIC registration number.
- Salesperson information where applicable.
- Date the contract is executed.
- Work start date.
- Substantial completion date.
- Detailed scope.
- Specified materials.
- Total price.
- Dollar-denominated payment schedule.
- Signatures.
- Required registration / permit / consumer notices.
- Required cancellation language where applicable.
- Warranty / guarantee language.
- Any arbitration clause separately reviewed.
Before signing the contract
- Search the HIC number.
- Verify CSL / trade licenses required for the scope.
- Compare the legal contracting business with the payment recipient.
- Multiply the total contract price by one-third and compare with the requested ordinary deposit.
- If the contractor wants more, ask for written identification/cost of qualifying special-order materials.
- Confirm the contractor will obtain required permits where HIC protection matters.
- Do not sign blank spaces.
- Keep a fully signed copy plus every change order.
What the Massachusetts Building Permit Application Reveals
Massachusetts publishes standard building-permit application forms for non-state-owned buildings. Municipalities can use variants, but their forms must contain comparable required information.
| Permit field | Why homeowners should care |
|---|---|
| Property / parcel / zoning | Confirms the permit belongs to the correct property. |
| Description of work | Compare approved scope with the contract. |
| Estimated construction cost | Major discrepancies can justify questions. |
| CSL holder | Shows the supervisor/license number when applicable. |
| HIC contractor | Shows the HIC business/registration number where applicable. |
| Workers’ compensation affidavit | Standard permit documentation includes workers’ compensation compliance. |
| Owner authorization | Shows when the contractor/agent is applying for the property owner. |
Find the Project Permit in Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, Springfield or Your Town
The contractor credentials are statewide; the building permit is local. Search the municipality serving the exact property address.
Massachusetts Permit Route Helper
Boston Building Permits: Short Form, Long Form, Fees & Inspection Closure
Boston Inspectional Services Department
Online permits · project search · inspections
| Boston permit | Typical use | Current published fee |
|---|---|---|
| Short Form | Minor alterations/repairs/replacements that do not change structure/use. | $20 application + $10 per $1,000 estimated work |
| Long Form | Structural work, major alterations or occupancy changes. | $50 application + $10 per $1,000 estimated work |
Boston contractor permit → next steps
- Open Boston Permitting.
- Use the project finder or choose Short Form / Long Form based on scope.
- Create/sign into the Inspectional Services portal.
- Prepare project scope, estimated cost and related permit numbers.
- Contractors should prepare current license information, liability insurance, workers’ compensation affidavit and signed owner agreement when required.
- Submit before beginning work.
- After permit issuance, schedule required inspections.
- Boston asks users to verify the permit application is actually closed in the online portal after work is complete.
Cambridge Building Permit: Online Applications & Inspectional Services Contact
Cambridge Inspectional Services
New construction · alteration · roof · siding · solar permit routes
Phone: 617-349-6100
Hours: Mon 7 AM–6 PM; Tue–Thu 7 AM–3:30 PM; Fri 7 AM–12 PM
Google Maps
Apply / verify in Cambridge
- Open Cambridge Building Permits.
- Choose the permit/application relevant to new construction, addition/alteration, roof, siding, solar or other work.
- Create/use the city permitting account.
- Upload the required PDFs.
- Do not begin covered work until the building permit is issued and posted.
- Retain inspections/final approvals with the project documents.
Worcester Permit History Search & Free Pre-Development Consultation
Worcester Inspectional Services
Permit history · inspections · free pre-development meetings
Phone: 508-799-1198
Email: inspections@worcesterma.gov
Building & Zoning: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM
Google Maps
Check permit history
- Open Worcester Permit History.
- Search by MBL, street name or Issued To name/company.
- Open the matching permit.
- Compare building/electrical/gas/mechanical/plumbing records with the actual project.
Springfield Building, Wiring, Plumbing & Gas Permit Route
Springfield Code Enforcement / Building Division
Permit issuance · plan review · inspections
Building Division: 413-787-6031
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 AM–4:30 PM
Google Maps
Springfield permit workflow
- Open Springfield Building Permits.
- Select the application / permit-record function.
- Identify building, wiring, plumbing, gas, demolition or sign permits required.
- Confirm zoning issues before construction where applicable.
- Submit required plans/documents.
- Do not begin covered construction before permit issuance.
- Schedule required inspections and retain final approval records.
Rebates, Zero-Interest Financing & Accessibility / Lead Programs
Check incentive eligibility before signing a final contract or ordering equipment. Some programs require assessments, approved equipment or program-network contractors.
Mass Save insulation & air sealing
Mass Save currently advertises 75%–100% off approved insulation and air-sealing improvements. Income-eligible residents can qualify for no-cost upgrades.
What to do after opening Mass Save
- Open Insulation & Air Sealing.
- Enter ZIP code and primary heating fuel.
- Confirm that your utility participates.
- Choose the Home Energy Assessment, Home Performance Contractor or eligible direct-weatherization route shown for the address.
- Do not hire based solely on an HIC number; also follow Mass Save contractor/program requirements.
Mass Save: 866-527-SAVE (7283)
2026 heat-pump rebates
| 2026 offer | Current amount |
|---|---|
| Whole-home | $2,650/ton up to $8,500 |
| Partial-home | $1,125/ton up to $8,500 |
| Basic | $250/ton up to $2,500 |
| Income-based enhanced | Up to $16,000 or qualifying up-to-no-cost Turnkey Services |
0% Mass Save HEAT Loan
Mass Save currently offers eligible Massachusetts customers 0% financing up to $25,000 for qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades.
- Confirm project eligibility through Mass Save.
- Complete required assessment / authorization steps.
- Obtain qualifying project estimates.
- Use the participating-lender list.
- Do not confuse contractor-provided private financing with the official HEAT Loan.
Designated Equity Communities
Homes in qualifying Mass Save Designated Equity Communities can receive 100% off weatherization when recommended through the program, without income verification for the location-based DEC offer.
Check Designated Equity Community EligibilityHome Modification Loan Program
MassAbility’s HMLP provides qualifying Massachusetts households a zero-interest deferred-payment loan for accessibility modifications when disability/age, documentation and income requirements are met.
Examples include bathrooms, kitchens, ramps, stair/platform lifts and certain accessibility-related improvements.
Deleading financial assistance
Massachusetts lists state and local deleading assistance. The Home Improvement Loan Program described on the state resource page offers qualifying low-interest loans from $7,500 to $50,000.
File a Massachusetts HIC Complaint: Exact Evidence Pack & Hub Workflow
File the HIC complaint → exact next steps
- Open the official HIC complaint page.
- Read the current attachment requirements before logging into the Hub.
- Prepare a concise chronology describing alleged Chapter 142A violations.
- Prepare copies of payments made to the contractor.
- Select no more than the currently allowed five relevant photographs.
- Prepare the signed contract.
- Massachusetts recommends including the building application from the local building department.
- Keep the supporting attachment package within the current 25-page limit.
- Open the MA Contractor Hub and submit the complaint.
- After submission, use View My Submissions to monitor it.
- Attend an enforcement hearing if one is scheduled.
Attorney General Consumer Complaint: Use This for Broader Business Disputes
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division accepts complaints involving home-improvement contracts and other business problems.
AGO consumer complaint → what to do
- Open “File a consumer complaint”.
- Choose the online consumer complaint form.
- Enter the contracting business accurately.
- Describe the problem and requested resolution clearly.
- Submit the complaint.
- Save or print the complaint copy after submitting.
- Massachusetts asks consumers not to send extra documentation unless the AGO contacts them and requests it.
Massachusetts HIC Arbitration: 5-Year Filing Deadline & Current Fees
Current basic homeowner eligibility
- Written signed contract.
- Contractor was HIC-registered on the contract date.
- Work involved improvement/repair/renovation/alteration/addition to a preexisting qualifying residence.
- Property located in Massachusetts.
- Owner-occupied primary residence with no more than four units.
- Request filed within the current five-year deadline.
Current arbitration fees
| Claimed monetary damages | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000–$24,999 | $750 |
| $25,000–$49,999 | $1,000 |
| $50,000+ | $1,250 |
Submit arbitration in the MA Contractor Hub
- Open HIC Arbitration.
- Confirm eligibility before paying/filing.
- Prepare contract, payment proof, photographs/correspondence and property/ownership evidence as applicable.
- Open the MA Contractor Hub.
- Choose Submit Arbitration Request.
- Complete all sections and use HIC contractor lookup as needed.
- Upload the evidence.
- Print/save the submission for your records before finalizing.
- Complete attestation/signature and submit.
Massachusetts Guaranty Fund: Up to $25,000 — But Only After the Required Steps
Core eligibility sequence
Qualifying contract
The contractor was HIC-registered when the contract was signed and the property/project fits program requirements.
Contractor obtained the building permit
This is a key Fund eligibility condition on the current Mass.gov page.
Win an arbitration award or court judgment
The Fund is not the first dispute step.
Attempt collection
The Fund is a remedy of last resort and requires reasonable collection efforts under program rules.
Submit Fund claim
Use the current MA Contractor Hub and program eligibility instructions.
Guaranty Fund → what to do after opening
- Open the official Guaranty Fund page.
- Confirm HIC registration on the date of contract.
- Confirm the contractor obtained the building permit.
- Confirm the home/property fits the qualifying primary-residence / 1–4 family requirement.
- Prepare the arbitration award or court judgment.
- Prepare evidence of reasonable collection efforts.
- Calculate actual loss separately from the judgment/award amount.
- Open the MA Contractor Hub and submit the Fund claim.
- Do not assume the maximum $25,000 is automatically payable.
Official Massachusetts Contractor PDFs & What to Do With Each One
MA Contractor Hub — Homeowner Guide
Screen-level instructions for contractor lookup, arbitration and homeowner Hub actions.
After opening: use the screenshots as your Hub navigation checklist rather than guessing which submission action to choose.
Open Homeowner Guide PDFMA Contractor Hub — Contractor Guide
Current guide covering new HIC registration, renewal/reapplication, Responsible Person, payment and account management.
After opening: read “Important Things to Know Before You Begin,” identify your application type, then follow the matching screen sequence.
Open Contractor Guide PDFFebruary 2026 CSL Candidate Handbook
Current PSI eligibility, experience, document, fee, scheduling, exam and post-passing instructions.
After opening: record your license category, experience evidence, allowed references and current exam fee before purchasing preparation material.
Open 2026 CSL Handbook PDF201 CMR 18 — HIC Registration & Enforcement
Current regulation text covering registration, exemptions and enforcement.
After opening: use §18.01 for exemption/registration questions and compare simplified Mass.gov summaries against the regulation when a rule is outcome-determinative.
Open 201 CMR 18 PDF201 CMR 14 — Arbitration & Guaranty Fund
Current regulatory framework for arbitration eligibility/deadlines and Guaranty Fund claims.
After opening: use it to resolve deadline questions when a high-level web summary is inconsistent.
Open 201 CMR 14 PDFMassachusetts Standard 1–2 Family Building Permit Application
Shows project, owner, CSL, HIC, workers’ compensation and authorization fields used in the statewide permit framework.
Freshness note: municipalities can use updated variants. Use the current local form for the actual application.
Open Standard Permit FormsLead-Safe Renovation Property Owner Checklist
Useful for pre-1978 renovation where painted surfaces will be disturbed.
After opening: use it to track the lead-safe contractor’s protection, containment, cleaning and project practices.
Open Lead-Safe Homeowner ResourcesHistoric HIC / CSL Project Matrix
The state PDF matrix is useful for understanding how Massachusetts classifies common work, but the PDF itself carries an older update date.
After opening: use it only as supporting reference and verify the current answer on the live HIC Contractor Resources page / local building official.
Open HIC / CSL Matrix PDFMassachusetts HIC & CSL Offices: Phone, Address, Email & Maps
Home Improvement Contractor Program / OCABR
Address:
One Federal Street, Suite 0720
Boston, MA 02110-2012
Consumer Hotline: 617-973-8787
Toll-free: 888-283-3757
HIC registration help: HICRegistration@mass.gov
Consumer email: consumer@mass.gov
In-person contractor service is currently published Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM except holidays.
HIC / OCABR Office — Google MapsOPSI / Construction Supervisor Licensing
Address:
One Federal Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02110-2012
Main: 617-727-3200
MassRelay: 711
Email: OPSI-info@mass.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:45 AM–5:00 PM.
OPSI Office — Google MapsImportant 2026 Corrections to Older Massachusetts Contractor Information
| Topic | Older information users may find | Current practical rule used here |
|---|---|---|
| HIC filing | Paper application/check processes. | Current HIC registration/payment is online through MA Contractor Hub; paper applications/checks are no longer accepted. |
| Expired HIC | Older renewal/grace descriptions. | Live registration page says expired HIC requires reapplication and $150 + applicable Fund payment. |
| CSL exam code | 9th Edition testing. | 10th Edition testing began January 1, 2025; February 2026 Candidate Handbook is the current exam reference. |
| HIC arbitration deadline | Two-year deadline in legacy materials/audits. | Current live page and 201 CMR 14 use five years from contract date. |
| Guaranty Fund deadline | Various legacy time limits; current web page itself contains conflicting wording. | 201 CMR 14.18 states seven years from contract date; obtain OCABR confirmation for a live claim because Mass.gov summary bullets conflict. |
| DOL portal | Everything routed through one ePlace system. | Multiple boards have migrated to eLIPSE; use the DOL “Check a License” router rather than an old saved portal URL. |
Related ContractorsBoard.org Guides
Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Lookup FAQs
Where do I look up a Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor?
Use the official MA Contractor Hub Contractor Search. Search by the HIC registration number when available or by business name, then review current registration status and public HIC history shown by Massachusetts.
Where do I check a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License?
Use the Office of Public Safety and Inspections license-verification route on Mass.gov. Follow its online link to the current verification system, search the individual supervisor, and verify license type, status and expiration.
Is a Massachusetts HIC registration the same as a CSL?
No. HIC is a residential home-improvement contractor registration administered through OCABR. A CSL is an individual Construction Supervisor License administered through the Massachusetts building-regulation/public-safety licensing system. Many structural residential projects involve both.
Who generally needs Massachusetts HIC registration?
Contractors, subcontractors, partnerships or corporations that solicit, bid on or perform covered residential contracting work on an existing owner-occupied Massachusetts property containing one to four units generally must register unless a statutory exemption applies.
Is every Massachusetts project under $500 exempt from HIC registration?
No universal exemption should be assumed. Chapter 142A contains an exemption for one residential contracting undertaking with an aggregate contract price under $500 when the job is not split to evade the law. Other project, business and professional-trade exemptions are separate.
How much does a new Massachusetts HIC registration cost?
The current registration fee is $150 plus an initial Guaranty Fund payment based on employee count: $100 for zero to three employees, $200 for four to ten, $300 for eleven to thirty and $500 for more than thirty.
How often is Massachusetts HIC registration renewed?
HIC registration is renewed every two years. The current renewal fee is $100 plus any outstanding account balance. Massachusetts recommends starting 30–60 days before expiration.
Does Massachusetts HIC registration require an exam?
No construction-code exam is required simply to obtain HIC registration. A Construction Supervisor License is different and requires qualifying experience and an examination.
How much experience is required for a Massachusetts CSL exam?
The February 2026 CSL Candidate Handbook requires at least three years of qualifying building construction or design experience. The handbook permits specified vocational or college education to satisfy a portion of that requirement.
What score is required to pass the Massachusetts CSL exam?
The current Massachusetts CSL Candidate Handbook requires a score of at least 70 percent.
Is the Massachusetts CSL exam open book?
Yes. The exam is open book, but candidates must follow the current handbook rules governing approved references, tabs, annotations and prohibited materials.
How much can a Massachusetts HIC contractor request as an advance deposit?
For a covered Chapter 142A contract, an ordinary advance deposit generally cannot exceed the greater of one-third of the contract price or the actual cost of qualifying special-order or custom-made materials or equipment that must be ordered in advance.
Who should obtain the building permit for a Massachusetts home improvement project?
Massachusetts HIC consumer guidance says the registered contractor should obtain required permits. A homeowner who obtains the permit personally may lose Guaranty Fund eligibility.
Do I need a lead-safe contractor for a pre-1978 Massachusetts home?
Paid renovation, repair or painting in pre-1978 housing can require a licensed Lead-Safe Renovation contractor when painted-surface disturbance exceeds the Massachusetts thresholds, including more than six square feet per room inside or more than twenty square feet outside.
Does filing an HIC complaint get my money back?
No. The HIC administrative complaint can lead to contractor discipline but does not itself award money to the homeowner. Arbitration, court and the Guaranty Fund are separate monetary-remedy routes.
How long do I have to request Massachusetts HIC arbitration?
Current Massachusetts HIC guidance and 201 CMR 14 state that the arbitration request generally must be filed within five years of the contract date.
How much does Massachusetts HIC arbitration cost?
Current arbitration fees are $500 for claims up to $9,999, $750 for claims from $10,000 to $24,999, $1,000 for claims from $25,000 to $49,999, and $1,250 for claims of $50,000 or more.
How much can the Massachusetts HIC Guaranty Fund pay?
The Fund can compensate an eligible homeowner for qualifying actual loss up to $25,000 after program conditions are satisfied, including qualifying contractor registration, permit, judgment or arbitration award and collection requirements.
Does an HIC registration prove the contractor has workers’ compensation insurance?
No. Massachusetts has a separate workers’ compensation verification service through the Department of Industrial Accidents. Search the business independently when coverage information matters.
Does an active HIC or CSL prove a city building permit exists?
No. HIC and CSL are contractor/supervisor credentials. Building permits are issued for individual projects by the applicable city or town. Verify the project permit separately.
Do Not Hire on One Number Alone
Contractor business: verify HIC registration when required.
Supervisor and trades: verify CSL plus applicable electrician, plumber, gasfitter or other regulated licenses.
Legal identity / coverage: compare business entity information and workers’ compensation where relevant.
Project: verify the building/trade permit directly with the local municipality.
Contract: review HIC number, deposit, payment stages, permit responsibility, start/completion dates, consumer notices and change-order requirements before paying.