MASSACHUSETTS CSL FAQ

A general contractor in MA is known as a Construction Supervisor. Construction of all one and two family dwellings and all buildings containing less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space must be constructed under the supervision of a person licensed as a Construction Supervisor by the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards.

Unrestricted — You must be licensed as an Unrestricted Construction Supervisor if you are directly supervising persons engaged in construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal or demolition involving any activity regulated by the code for:

  • Buildings containing less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space: and
  • one- and two-family dwellings or any accessory building regardless of size

NOTE:  Buildings over 35,000 cubic feet require the control of an engineer or architect.

Restricted — (One- and Two-Family Dwellings Only). This license limits you to direct supervision of persons engaged in construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal or demolition involving any activity regulated by the code for:

  • Any one-and two-family dwellings regardless of size, or
  • Any accessory building regardless of size.

Please note that many municipalities in Massachusetts. separate from the State requirements just noted, often require some type of contractor’s licensing on these larger buildings. Please check with local municipalities directly for local contractor licensing requirements in addition to the State requirements.

Step 1. Complete the Prometric exam registration form and mail it to Prometric.

Step 2. Approximately 10 days after you mail in your exam registration form, you must contact Prometric to schedule an appointment to take your exam.

Step 3. Prepare for the exam by taking an approved Prelicense Course. Click here to get started now! 

Step 4. Take the scheduled exam, you must take required identification to the test center.

Step 5. When you pass the exam, your score report will include instructions for obtaining your license through the BBRS.

The CSL application form, which is submitted to Prometric, can be found at http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dps/buildingcode/inf4/candidate-information-bulletin-building-ra.pdf  Please note that the pre-exam qualifications are found on page 3 of the application which is listed below.

To be eligible to take a CSL exam, you must:

1. Be 18 years old at the time of the exam.

2. Have at least three years of experience in building construction or design in the field in which you wish to be licensed. Note the following:

Your work experience need not be consecutive, but you must document a minimum of 36 months of full-time work experience. On the exam registration form, include the month and year that you began and ended working for each employer and/or the dates that you served in the military. As authorized by G.L. c.147, §62(a), construction-related experience achieved while in military service may be accepted in whole or in part to satisfy requisite experience.

Successful completion of a three- or four-year vocational high school or other vocational school programs in the field of building construction shall be deemed as satisfying one year of the required three years of experience.

Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in architecture or science, engineering, or technology in a related field shall be deemed as satisfying two years of the required three years of experience.

Union affiliation is not acceptable as work experience. Be sure to list the names and addresses of the employer(s) for whom you worked as a union member.

You must have worked full-time (a minimum of 40 hours per week) for any employer you list on your registration form. No part-time employment (less than 40 hours per week) will be counted toward the required 36 months of experience. Active military service may be considered full-time employment.

If you are an independent contractor, provide your company name and address, years you have been self-employed, employer names and addresses, and duties you have performed for each employer.

With the exception of the vocational education noted above, schooling will not be accepted as work experience.

3. List your duties as they directly relate to the field of building construction or design. Do not give only your title on the registration form, but also, the duties associated with that title for each employer. For example, if you were self-employed, list the specific duties you performed (e.g., masonry, framing, formwork), not simply that you were self-employed or that you are president or owner of a company. In documenting construction-related military service, identify specific construction-related duties with which you were involved and include an estimate as to the relative percentage of your overall duties this comprised, not just that you served in the military.

4. Provide a notarized letter of attestation from your employer or the military or W2 Forms from employer.

5. Provide a notarized signature indicating: 1) you have read and understand this bulletin; 2) the truthfulness of the information provided on the registration form, and 3) that you have filed all state tax returns and paid state taxes. Information provided will be used by the state to determine eligibility for licensure.

6. Not have previously passed an examination in the same license class and/or received a license in the same class. Exceptions: 1) individuals whose licenses have exceeded the renewal period as prescribed by licensing regulations and

The testing facility is:

Prometric
Phone: 800.813.6671
Fax: 800.347.9242
TDD User: 800.790.3926
Website: www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/Massachusetts/pages/Construction.aspx

For questions about license applications contact:

The State of Massachusetts
Board of Building Regulations and Standards
One Ashburton Place, Room 1301
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617.727.3200
Website: www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/csl/construction-supervisor-license.html

The exams are given by a testing company called Prometric. You can take the exam at any of the Prometric test centers. To find a test center near you, go to this site:

 www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/Massachusetts/pages/Construction.aspx

The State Building Code Provides exemptions for the following construction related activities:

  • Construction of swimming pools
  • Erection of signs
  • Erection of tents
  • Any building which is subject to construction control

Some local municipalities still require the above types of contractors to be licensed.  Please check with your local building department for verification.

The license is issued by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards. Candidates for licensure must have at least 3 years of building construction or design experience and must pass a written examination on provisions of the Massachusetts State Building Code and certain reference standards in order to be licensed.

Yes! As a matter of fact, properly preparing your code books to reflect these amendments is one of the most important steps in preparing for the licensing exams.

Our online courses provide complete instructions on how to prepare your code books for the exam, including preprinted tabs to easily access crucial information. The majority of the State exams are based on building code, including the efficient use of Tables and Appendixes.

  • Complete the required continuing education credits and receive certificates of completion.
  • Request a renewal application from DPS by email.
    See: Request for CSL Renewal Form   (Check your spam or junk folders for a “Renewal Notice Enclosed” item from “EOPSS MA”, after you send this request.  Allow up to three days to receive this form.)
  • Complete and mail the renewal application.
    Attach payment and CEU certificates.

Licenses must be renewed every two years for a fee of $100.00.  There is a one year grace period to renew licenses after expiration.  For an additional fee of $100.00, licenses can be renewed up to two years after expiration.  Beyond that it’s necessary to take an exam and apply for a new license. Contact Lisa Barros at elizangela.barros@state.ma.us only for extenuating circumstances.

Two months prior to your renewal date, the State of Massachusetts will send you a license renewal application. You cannot apply for a new license until you receive this application from the State. You must complete your continued education and receive your certificates of completion in order to attach them to your renewal with your renewal fee. Once the State receives your renewal, certificates, and $100 fee, they will send you a new license in the mail. Your renewal date is every two years based on your birthdate

Any person with a license expiration date of July 1, 2013, or after will need continuing education to renew. Continued education will be required every two years to renew on your birthdate.

Unrestricted Construction Supervisors (identified as Construction Supervisor License on the license Card) need 12 hours every two years.

Restricted Construction Supervisors (identified as 1 and 2 Family License on the license card) need ten hours every two years.

Specialty Contractors need six hours every two years. *Specialty categories include the following license types:

  • Masonry
  • Roofing
  • Windows / Siding
  • Demolition
  • Solid Fuel Burning
  • Insulation

The maximum number of hours required for any given licensee is 12 hours, regardless of how many categories appear on the license card. A person who is licensed in a specialty category, whether one, two or all six, needs only to achieve the requisite 6 hours of continuing education credit. However, please remember that each license category requires certain content to be covered during trainings, such as workplace safety and lead safe practices.

You can purchase and repeat the same class as long as it is in a different licensing cycle. Credit cannot be earned if the same course is taken twice during the same licensing cycle.

This law went into effect July 1, 2011, but it affects license holders that are renewing on or after July 1, 2013 because it began after a full two-year licensing cycle for all constructions supervisors and specialty contractors.

Absolutely! Here is a link to our approval letter:

Massachusetts Course Approval Letter #1

MassAchusetts Course Approval Letter #2

Massachusetts Course Approval Letter #3

Massachusetts Course Approval Letter #4

Massachusetts Course Approval Letter #5

Massachusetts Course Approval Letter #6

Massachusetts Course Approval Letter #7

You will need to retest for the unrestricted license through Prometric and re-apply for the Unrestricted CSL.

www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/Massachusetts/pages/Construction.aspx

Once you pass your exam, your score report will include instructions on applying to the Department of Public Safety for your license.

You have two years from the date you passed the exam.

Licenses must be renewed every two years for a fee of $100.00.  There is a one year grace period to renew licenses after expiration.  For an additional fee of $100.00, licenses can be renewed up to two years after expiration.  Beyond that it’s necessary to take an exam and apply for a new license. Contact Lisa Barros at elizangela.barros@state.ma.us only for extenuating circumstances.

For questions about license applications contact:

State of Massachusetts
Board of Building Regulations and Standards
One Ashburton Place, Room 1301
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617.727.3200
Web site: www.mass.gov/dps

Information is continually added and updated. Please check back

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