Massachusetts General Contractor License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Massachusetts has 3 General contractor license classes. Most renew every 2 years. The renewal fee is about $100. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education ranges from 10 to 12 hours. The details for each class are below.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Construction Supervisor License - One & Two Family Dwellings (restricted)

CSLR · State license

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Renew on the official site

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: 10 hours10 hours per 2-year cycle (same topic structure as unrestricted, residential code focus) (780 CMR 110.R5.4.2).
Deadline rule: Biennial; the expiration date is printed on the license (original licenses may run longer than 2 years per 780 CMR 110.R5). The Division sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration; complete CE before requesting the renewal application and allow about 5 weeks for processing.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: One year after expiration with no penalty; practice prohibited while expired.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
1 year grace period to renew after expiration with no extra fee; renewal between 1 and 2 years after expiration costs an additional about $100 on top of the about $100 renewal fee.
Reinstatement: More than 2 years expired: must retake the exam and apply for new license. Medical/military reactivation waivers available (notify within 4 years).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

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Construction Supervisor License - Unrestricted

CS · State license

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Renew on the official site

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: 12 hours
Show CE rules
12 hours per 2-year cycle: code review 4, workplace safety 1, business practices and workers' comp 1, energy 1, lead-safe practices 1 (first renewal cycle only), remaining hours approved electives. Up to 6 hours may be taken online; the rest must be in person. Certified building officials are exempt (780 CMR 110.R5.4).
Deadline rule: Biennial; the expiration date is printed on the license (original licenses may run longer than 2 years per 780 CMR 110.R5). The Division sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration; complete CE before requesting the renewal application and allow about 5 weeks for processing.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: One year after expiration with no penalty; practice prohibited while expired.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
1 year grace period to renew after expiration with no extra fee; renewal between 1 and 2 years after expiration costs an additional about $100 on top of the about $100 renewal fee.
Reinstatement: More than 2 years expired: must retake the exam and apply for new license. Medical/military reactivation waivers available (notify within 4 years).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Individual license for the person supervising regulated construction (not a business license). Restricted '1&2 family dwellings' CSL requires 10 hours CE. Trades with their own license (electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC/refrigeration) are exempt within that license. Homeowners doing own work exempt. Commercial GC business has no separate state license.

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

Home Improvement Contractor Registration

HIC · State registration · OCABR Home Improvement Contractor Program

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Renew on the official site

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: Two-year registration from the date of issue. File the renewal and fee within the 30 days before the registration expires (201 CMR 18.02); the state suggests starting 30 to 60 days ahead. Renew online through the MA Contractor Hub.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
No late renewal period: a registration that expires must be re-applied for as new, with the about $150 registration fee plus a $100 to $500 Guaranty Fund payment based on employee count.
Reinstatement: Must reapply as a new registrant.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Applicants must provide evidence that they maintain adequate contractor insurance (201 CMR 18.02(1)(b)5); the regulation sets no dollar minimum. Workers' compensation is required by MGL c.152 for employers (and an affidavit/proof is needed at registration).
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Required for general contractors on existing owner-occupied 1-4 unit residences; commercial work has no separate state business license. Renewal $100 every 2 years. Initial registration $150 plus a Guaranty Fund payment ($100 for 0-3 employees, $200 for 4-10, $300 for 11-30, $500 for more than 30). Supplemental ID cards $10. A construction supervisor license is a separate requirement for the supervising individual.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (2)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Massachusetts General contractor continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Construction Supervisor License - One & Two Family Dwellings (restricted) deadline: Biennial; the expiration date is printed on the license (original licenses may run longer than 2 years per 780 CMR 110.R5). The Division sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration; complete CE before requesting the renewal application and allow about 5 weeks for processing.
2Complete 10 continuing education hours before renewing. 10 hours per 2-year cycle (same topic structure as unrestricted, residential code focus) (780 CMR 110.R5.4.2).
3Renew online at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-your-construction-supervisor-license-csl
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $100, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: 1 year grace period to renew after expiration with no extra fee; renewal between 1 and 2 years after expiration costs an additional about $100 on top of the about $100 renewal fee.
6Check your Construction Supervisor License - Unrestricted deadline: Biennial; the expiration date is printed on the license (original licenses may run longer than 2 years per 780 CMR 110.R5). The Division sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration; complete CE before requesting the renewal application and allow about 5 weeks for processing.
7Complete 12 continuing education hours before renewing. 12 hours per 2-year cycle: code review 4, workplace safety 1, business practices and workers' comp 1, energy 1, lead-safe practices 1 (first renewal cycle only), remaining hours approved electives. Up to 6 hours may be taken online; the rest must be in person. Certified building officials are exempt (780 CMR 110.R5.4).
8Check your Home Improvement Contractor Registration deadline: Two-year registration from the date of issue. File the renewal and fee within the 30 days before the registration expires (201 CMR 18.02); the state suggests starting 30 to 60 days ahead. Renew online through the MA Contractor Hub.
9Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
10Renew online at https://mass.gov/info-details/home-improvement-contractor-registration-and-renewal
11If you miss the deadline: No late renewal period: a registration that expires must be re-applied for as new, with the about $150 registration fee plus a $100 to $500 Guaranty Fund payment based on employee count.

Massachusetts General contractor renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Massachusetts general contractor license expire?

Construction Supervisor License - One & Two Family Dwellings (restricted): renews every 2 years. Biennial; the expiration date is printed on the license (original licenses may run longer than 2 years per 780 CMR 110.R5). The Division sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration; complete CE before requesting the renewal application and allow about 5 weeks for processing. Construction Supervisor License - Unrestricted: renews every 2 years. Biennial; the expiration date is printed on the license (original licenses may run longer than 2 years per 780 CMR 110.R5). The Division sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration; complete CE before requesting the renewal application and allow about 5 weeks for processing. Home Improvement Contractor Registration: renews every 2 years. Two-year registration from the date of issue. File the renewal and fee within the 30 days before the registration expires (201 CMR 18.02); the state suggests starting 30 to 60 days ahead. Renew online through the MA Contractor Hub. Check with the issuing board before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Massachusetts general contractor license need?

Construction Supervisor License - One & Two Family Dwellings (restricted): 10 hours per renewal. Construction Supervisor License - Unrestricted: 12 hours per renewal. Home Improvement Contractor Registration: no CE required. Check with the issuing board before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Massachusetts general contractor license?

One year after expiration with no penalty; practice prohibited while expired. Check with the issuing board before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Massachusetts general contractor license?

Construction Supervisor License - One & Two Family Dwellings (restricted): About $100. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Massachusetts general contractor license expires?

1 year grace period to renew after expiration with no extra fee; renewal between 1 and 2 years after expiration costs an additional about $100 on top of the about $100 renewal fee. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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