Do you need a general contractor license in Massachusetts?
Yes, a license. In Massachusetts, an individual who supervises construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal or demolition work regulated by the state building code needs a construction supervisor license from the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards. The unrestricted license covers buildings of any use group with less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space and one- and two-family dwellings of any size; a separate license covers one- and two-family dwellings only, and specialty licenses cover masonry, roof covering, windows and siding, solid fuel appliances, demolition and insulation. A homeowner doing permitted work on the homeowner’s own one- or two-family home is exempt, as are projects under construction control and work within a state-licensed trade such as wiring, plumbing, gas fitting, HVAC or refrigeration. Cities and counties can add their own licensing on top of the state’s. This is 780 CMR 110.R5.1; M.G.L. c. 143, § 94.
| What | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| General contractors | Construction supervisor license (BBRS) |
Source
780 CMR 110.R5.1; M.G.L. c. 143, § 94
Read the statute in the General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature): malegislature.gov.
The linked sections open Justia’s free copy of the code, because the state’s own site has no stable address for each section.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
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The same question in other states
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