Trade business resources for Massachusetts.

Massachusetts regulates trade contractors through the Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) and the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), which issue state-level licenses for electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, sheet metal workers, and construction supervisors. There is no single unified 'general contractor' license in Massachusetts; instead, most trades require their own specific state license before any work can legally be performed.

State licensing board

Electricians must hold a state license issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians, with tiers including Apprentice, Journeyman (E-2), and Master (E-1), and all electrical work requires a licensed master electrician to pull permits. Plumbers and gas fitters are licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters under similar Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master tiers, with a Master Plumber or Master Gas Fitter required to obtain permits. HVAC and sheet metal contractors fall under the Sheet Metal Workers licensing board or the gas fitter license depending on the scope of work, particularly where gas appliances are involved. General contractors performing residential construction or improvements must hold a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) issued by OPSI if the work involves any structure with up to 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space, and home improvement contractors (remodelers, roofers, siders, etc.) must additionally register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with OPSI if the contract value exceeds $1,000. Roofing contractors specifically must carry HIC registration for residential work over $1,000 but are not required to hold a CSL unless structural work is involved.

Business registration